1774-1783
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/1/1
Minutes from 29 December 1774 to 9 October 1783
Ordered John Gleave to make a drain across the turnpike road near Eastington to convey water from Stonehouse level to Chippenham Platt. Also to make a reaching between the Ryeford level and the Stonehouse level.
Mr Frewin to attend wholly to the building of the locks and the bridges and see that the mortar be well made – his whole time and constant attendance upon the work is expected.
The quoins at Court Orchard Lock and the remaining coping stones on Framilode Lock to be set and finished with lime.
No level be settled until Benjamin Grazebrook and John Gleave have examined and proved it right.
Benjamin Grazebrook to ask Mr Dadford to procure four hogsheads of Barrow lime and send up the first trows.
B. Grazebrook to write to Richard Owen Cambridge to inform him the millard at his mill makes a charge upon every vessel that passes up his millpond, of which we understand, he is unaware.
Mr Martin’s banks be immediately covered with soil from Mr Cambridge’s Millpond.
George Beswick to take the earth out of the bottom of the canal in Mr Cook’s land in order to make good the banks.
Edward Keene to be charged 10s 6d for the use of the company barge going to Newnham for timber.
AGM
Money received from tonnage from the 2 October 1777 to this day was £321 2s 2½. This to be used for completing the works
Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament to meet at Cainscross on 30th.
A quantity of shafts without spikes are to be provided at the expense of the company and deposited with the keeper of Framilode Lock and that every barge coming into the lock leave their shaft or shafts with the lockkeeper and take those provided and exchange them on their return and that no shafts shod with iron shall be used on any part of the canal under penalty of 10s for every offence. (Note a shaft was a boat hook and if they were tipped with iron, they could damage the infrastructure of the canal)
If any barge master or other person sells coal from the barges while their cargo is discharging, shall forfeit a sum not exceeding £5 nor less than 20s.
A copy of these orders to be taken and affixed with the Company Seal.
The proprietors thank Anthony Keck for his plan and section of a lock.
The committee appointed Mr Thomas White and Benjamin Grazebrook inspectors and Mr John Cambridge and Joseph Grazebrook scrutineers for the present elections.
Mr Freebury may have the clay dug out of the bank at Wallbridge on paying the expense it has cost the digging and repairing the damages done to the road when hauling it away.
John Merrell to measure Mr Chance’s land.
Enough hard burnt bricks are to be carried by the our Team from Wallbridge to Ryeford to build the culvert and that none but Aberthaw lime be used for that purpose.
Men sent for by committee are to be allowed 6d for expenses, and no other charges to be allowed.
John Gleave to see that trunks and every necessary article be laid for conveying water from Ryeford to Stonehouse.
Method of making the canal pass Ebley Mill viz: To pass over the through water by an aquaduct and fill up the present flood pill and continue the canal through the mill pond.
Mr Kemmett attended some of the committee and made a proposal to superintend the whole of the works till complete for 200 guineas.
John Gleave to make a drain to the bottom of the Old River in order to fill the canal.
A call of 10% is to be made on the Proprietors of the Navigation, to be paid before 16 July.
Clement Atkins to be allowed 12s a week for checking and stacking the good bricks at George Edward’s brick yard.
John Gleave to enlarge the drain on the side of the Turnpike Road to 18 inches.
The clerk to purchase a small boat for the use of farmer Coaley for a passage to his land and a convenient place be made on the receiving side of the canal.
Mr Trewin dismissed.
Mr Bough to lay the foundation of Mr Halliday’s bridge with bricks from George Maskell’s works.
Edward Keene to make a trunk with Elm timber to convey the Painswick water under the canal.
Clement Atkins to weigh limestone brought up by Samuel Simmons.
Thomas Powell of Broadoak to build the boat for Farmer Coaley, for 6 guineas.
Cutters to wheel superfluous earth and gravel in Mr Reddal’s lands over the Old River and make a bank with the same.
Clerk to write to R. Owen Cambridge to inform him that the millpond shall be deepened as soon as there is a scarcity of water.
A carpenter is to make a gate and rails to be put up on the lower side of Mr Hill’s bridge, as directed by Farmer King, without intruding on Rack Hill (Wallbridge).
The roads on the tops of bridges are to be raised with stone and gravel in order to secure the crowns of the arches.
John Gleave to provide watering place in Court Orchard for Mr Chambers. Mr Bough to maintain rails near his house to prevent Mr Chamber’s cattle from getting out.
John Gleave to inform Mr Phillips that if he continues to draw water through his mill on Sundays that a stank will be immediately fixed in the mill pond.
In future no conveyances are to be made for any land taken in the canal and towing path.
Clerk to inform Christopher Gardner that the company is ready to purchase the banks, brickyards and all land of Mrs Balls that the company has used in any respect for the purpose of the Navigation.
£30 be paid to Rev Pettat for the churchyard and make him a deposit of £10 for the land taken out of the churchyard till such time as an equivalent piece of land can be procured.
John Gleave to turn the water from the river in Mr Andrews' land every night to supply the canal with water and also that he do see that the hurdles are put up to prevent trespass on Mr James’s wheat.
John Gleave to raise the boat that lies at the bottom of the canal near Bristol road.
A culvert is to be made under the canal on the lower side of Stonehouse churchyard.
Mr Bough to build the following bridges:
• Arch bridges on the road leading from Stonehouse Cross to Bridgend.
• Swivel bridge on the road leading to Mr Reddalls.
• Arch bridge on the road leading to King’s Stanley.
Mr Kemmett to be made an offer of ten guineas for his attendance.
Rev Pettat expects to be paid £35 for his Glebeland. Company will comply if taxes are avoided.
Clement Adkins ordered to throw water over the stacks of bricks in the several yards to dissolve the limestone in the bricks.
Benjamin Grazebrook be desired to superintend the works of the Navigation till completed and a salary allowed him.
Henry Cook has paid the penalty of £20 for an offence committed by William Pearce and Edward Clissold in obstructing the works of the Navigation.
Messrs Lane and Jepson to be employed as attorneys and solicitors for the whole of the business of the Navigation.
The penalty paid by Mr Hook is be returned in consequence of John Hawker’s promise to pay all damages and expenses. Bill to be raised.
As soon as the canal is completed the towing path through Mrs and Mr Ball’s land to be fenced and cattle watering places be provided.
Ben Grazebrook to be paid £200 for directing and surveying all the works of the Navigation till completed and the quay finished at Wallbridge.
Mr Franklin ordered to build a stone lock adjoining the bridge he is now building at Dudbridge.
William Franklin agreed to build the lock for £465.
The bridge at Ryeford to be made straight with the present bridge over the Old River.
The road over the bridge at Dudbridge to be completed as fast as possible.
A call of £10 on each share to be made on the Proprietors and the same to be advertised in the Gloucester Journal to be paid before 5 October next.
The cutters are to proceed to cut through Stonehouse churchyard without further delay, £18 7s having been paid to Rev Pettat.
A place is to be made at the end of the culvert at Ryeford for swilling wool.
The bank on Mr James’s land called the Church Lease is to be made of a more easy slope on the side next to the canal.
Samuel Smith ordered to stop making bricks on the coal wharf at Chippenham Platt.
Mr James’s land is to be measured by Mr Samuel Keene of Hampton, and the balance due to be paid.
Edward Edge to be asked to build the Double Lock.
Ben Grazebrook to procure some Ragg stone to under build Mr Phillips’s house at Ryeford.
The corner of Kemmett’s Orchard next to Framilode Lock be secured by piles and stones behind the piles.
Samuel Keene measured Mr James' land. Balance due to £142 17s 4d.
Clerk to give notice to defaulters requesting them to pay their arrears before the General Meeting called for 8th October.
Ann Butler made claim for share 137 following death of John Wight.
Foundations for the walls at Ryeford be immediately dug out.
All rubbish to be cleared from behind all the lock gates.
All the water to be kept out of the aquaduct at Ebley for 6 days to allow the mortar to go hard.
Land from Mrs Ball agreed at Stonehouse Cross for a wharf.
Temporary wharf to be built in Hayward’s filed for a year.
No day men to be employed at wages exceeding 1s 6d a day.
A stone or post is to be fixed at the boundary of the corner piece of land for the late Mr James at Easton.
AGM
Tonnage from the 9 April last to this day amounting to £330 0s 8d to be applied to completing the works.
Agreed on tythes with the Vicar of Stonehouse, the Rector of Eastington and the several parishes of Saul, Frethern and Wheatenhurst.
Ben Grazebrook to inspect the drain that runs under Mr Phillips house at Ryeford and if necessary to continue the same under the canal.
Ben Grazebrook to begin bottoming in Mr Cambridge’s millpond.
John Gleave’s wages to be increased to 1 guinea a week.
Not necessary to continue the drain at Ryeford under the canal.
John Couch’s bill for stone not to be settled until the hollow and square quions conform to the specification given in the bill of scantlings.
Company’s vessel sent to Hanham for worked stone but that Mr Couch refused to send Hollow Quoins, Square Quoins or trunking until he is paid. The vessel came back loaded with limestone.
A call of £10 on each share be made on the Proprietors to be paid before 12 January 1779.
A lock to be put on the gate of the lock at Bristol Road to prevent more coals being brought up.
The brick lock at Dudbridge to be finished or covered up for winter.
An account of the number of cutters employed in the work be produced and what proportion of them are employed below Ryeford
Land at Whitminster flooded by turning the water when the millpond was cleared.
Benjamin Grazebrook unable to obtain sight of a letter written to Lord Middleton on the subject of a bridge adjoining the Bristol Road bridge, for which a foundation was built.
Walls of the bridge at Dudbridge to be covered with turfs during the winter.
Edward Keene to finish the swivel bridge otherwise he won’t be employed any more.
Damage done by flooding at Whitminster does not exceed five pounds.
Road over bridge to Mr Hill’s to be repaired.
Several slips into canal to be piled immediately to prevent their going further.
John Pickston is to be paid £20 over and above the 18d a day he is allowed to draw for his men employed in the cutting, and also £40 more as soon as he has completed the cutting to Ryeford.
Clerk to ask Mr Lane to take Counsel’s Opinion on the power of borrowing money to complete the Navigation.
Counsel says the Company can give no security for borrowing money.
Mr Cambridge recommended that the cloughs of Framilode Lock be drawn in cases of emergency to draw off the water. Mr Winchcombe to reply that a discretionary order will be given to the keeper of the lock.
Advertisement to be placed in Gloucester Journal for proposals to build a quay at Wallbridge of Ragg stone.
Messrs Wathen, Hollings, Baylis, White, Dallaway and Bigland to take a view of the Navigation at Ryeford before water is turned in.
Edward Edge’s workers not to trespass on Mr Chambrey’s land by making paths through his ground and a hut and saw pit to be removed.
Mr Keck ordered to attend the next meeting.
Door of the house at Easton Lock to be moved to side next to the road.
The island at Easton be prepared to have the quick planted for a mound as soon as possible.
Agreed Anthony Keck’s proposal for Ryeford lock, to cost £760.
2s a ton to be taken for coals imported to Ryeford.
Mr Grazebrook to demand payment from Sam Stephens and Sam Collins for the wharfage of coals landed on the wharf at Bristol Road.
Bit of land between the new road at Ryeford and Thomas Hitch’s garden be taken for a wharf.
No vessel to be permitted to pass the bridge at Ryeford except for the purpose of the works.
Part of the coping was thrown off Moor Street Bridge on Wednesday 27 January. A reward is offered of 10 guineas to be paid on conviction of the offender.
Banks to be sown with proper seeds.
Mr Grazebrook to procure as many Aberthaw pebbles as possible.
An area not exceeding half an acre to be marked out adjoining the bridge in Mr Ellis’s lawn for a coal wharf.
Stephens and Collins have promised to pay wharfage immediately.
Farmer King has been engaged to sow seeds procured for the banks.
Wharfage money still not paid.
William Franklin to build quay wall at Wallbridge with good Ragg stone, Aberthaw lime and Severn sand for 13s a perch.
General Meeting
Tonnage received from the 8 October 1778, £180 3s 10d, to be applied to completing the Navigation.
Original subscription = £20,000 plus an additional £10,000 plus money from tonnage has nearly all been laid out. Only a balance of £830 is left and to complete the canal the Company needed £2,000.
Proprietors present voted to subscribe the necessary £2,000 the money to be recouped out of the tolls and tonnage with lawful interest.
20 subscribers each promied to pay £100, with 4 payments each month between May and September.
3s a ton be paid for all coals, corn malt, grain or meal and 4s a ton for all other goods, wares or merchandise, which shall be imported to Wallbridge, and also in proportion for any greater or less weight or for a less distance of place.
1s 6d per ton be paid for all corn and grain exported from Wallbridge.
30 bushels of wheat, bean or vatches, 40 bushels of barley, 50 bushels of malt or oats shall be deemed as one ton.
Advertisement to be placed in Gloucester Journal announcing date of opening, and letters to be sent to all Proprietors desiring attendance at Stround that day.
A barge be provided for the use of the Company by the time the canal is open to Wallbridge.
The canal be made to pass over Ebley Mill pond by means of wood trunks in the same manner as that already executed at Lodgemore.
B. Grazebrook to apply to Sam Collins for the wharfage of coals landed on the wharf at Bristol Road.
Benjamin Grazebrook to see Ellis James to discuss with him to decide on someone as an arbitrator to help finally settle for the damages done by the banks on his lands.
Clay in the bank at Wallbridge be made into bricks immediately in order that the quay may be levelled.
Mr Keck to be paid £100 on account.
Sam Collins has paid the wharfage for his coals.
Benjamin Grazebrook has seen Mr Ellis James who refuses to come to a decision regarding the damage.
Mr James’ banks be immediately levelled and sowed with proper seeds according to the directions given and that Mr Allaway be requested to see that the proper mode of doing it be adopted.
A recess is to be made on the side of the canal at Lodgemore for the Company boat to lie in.
Two of the floodgates at Ebley Mill pond are to be removed nearer the mill and the other three to be fixed on the side of the old weir.
Mr James’s banks are now being prepared to be sowed.
Two new sides to be fixed on the side of the weir at Ebley Mill.
The passage for the water from the flood gates at Ebley Mill Pond is to be arched over.
Mr Baylis reported that the proportion of land tax in the parish of Painswick does not exceed one third of the Rack Rent.
Benjamin Grazebrook to meet with Mr Webb and propose that the meadows at Wallbridge be rated at £7 to the land tax and have Mr Webb answer the same.
Benjamin Grazebrook to inform Mr James that we do expect he will replace the gate which he has taken away before this day Sennight (7 nights and 7 days) otherwise he must suffer the consequences.
Cross rails to be put up in Mr Simpson’s orchard, and Mr Cook’s, to prevent people trespassing on the banks.
Banks between Harry’s orchard and Ryeford to be disposed of for £60.
Benjamin Grazebrook to desire Mr Chance to desist putting up posts and rails on new road leading to Dudbridge, and any put up to be immediately taken down. A proper fence is to be made.
Clerk to write to Mr Hayes to have size of boat increased to 35ft long by 10ft wide.
Mr Grazebrook to find out who removed the gate on Mr James’s land.
Mr Grazebrook has obtained RO Cambridge’s consent to making a new cut on the side of Whitminster Mill Pond.
Edward Keene to find timber and workmanship for four trunks to convey the Old River, near Lockham Bridge, under the canal. Each trunk to be 5ft wide by 4ft high, made of good Elm at least 3½ inches thick.
Mr Webb did not agree to £7 per annum tax. Benjamin Grazebrook to propose £8.
The gate at Mr James’s was removed to it’s proper place.
Benjamin Grazebrook marked out the land for the cut on the side of Whitminster Mill Pond and instructed workers to start cutting.
The banks on Mr James’s land have been sown.
Benjamin Grazebrook to survey the lock in Nassfield and do the necessary to secure the same.
Mr Webb does not agree that tax on lands at Wallbridge be rated at £8. John Smith of Painswick to arbitrate.
Ben Pashley to find the timber and workmanship for making two trunks for conveying the Old River under the canal near Lockham Bridge. To be made with seasoned Elm planks 3½ inches thick at the rate of 9d per foot.
Messrs Wathen and White are to wait on Mr Playne to treat with him for the nook of land at the bottom of his garden at Wallbridge necessary for widening the tow path.
The horses and wagon belonging to the Company to be sold by auction.
Mr White the broad wheeled cart at £4 10s.
Mr Lane to be asked for copy of agreement with Mr Halliday Phillips in order that they may be prepared to defend the action commenced by Mr Phillips.
The Navigation should be opened to Stroud on Thursday 22 July and the same be inserted as an article of news in the Gloucester Journal the first and second weeks of July, also that circular letters be printed and sent to each proprietor and to such other Gentlemen agreeable to a list made out by the committee.
Waggon and horses have been sold for £77 18s 0d.
The old river at Wallbridge is to be marked out straight from the wall at the corner of Mr Smith’s house to the lower end of Mr Elliots Garden.
The Navigation be opened on Wednesday 21 July instead of the 22 July.
The Company’s barge and boats be cleaned and fitted up ready for the day of opening the canal.
Men are put to work in the corner of Mr Reed’s garden necessary for altering the old river.
Remitted to Mr Lloyd £1 14s 4d for land taken by the alteration of the old river.
Benjamin Grazebrook to tell Mr Dobbs the dimensions of the trunks intended to convey the old river under the canal near Lockham Bridge (Whitminster).
Mr Dobbs being unavailable, Mr Cowley was told of the dimensions.
Clerk to request details of steps to be previous to the trial with Mr Phillips.
Thanks from the committee to Ralph Bigland Esq. for his genteel present of flags to the company.
2d per ton to be taken for wharfage of all coals landed on the wharf at Dudbridge and the same to be collected with the tonnage.
The clerk is to make application to seven Commissioners to desire them to summon a meeting of the Commissioners on 24 August to settle some differences between the land owners and the Company of Proprietors.
Mr Keck is to be paid £100 on account.
Every pleasure boat passing any of the locks do pay 20s (except the Company barge) and that the same be advertised in the Gloucester Journal.
No person whatever do make use of the Company’s barge without a ticket signed by three of the committee, which ticket shall be delivered to our clerk before he suffers the barge to be taken.
A house to be built to secure the barge and the same be kept locked.
A man to be provided at wages not exceeding 6s a week to attend the Double Lock, and a sentinel box be provided for him immediately.
Mr Gleave to forward the cutting at Whitminster with all possible expedition.
Mr Gleave to have notice that we have no further use for him after Michaelmas.
Clerk to write to all those in dispute with the company to attend a meeting next Monday in order to treat with them.
The cutters to immediately make good the leaks in the puddling of several banks where the same is deficient before their account is settled.
3 houses to be immediately built with bricks for the security of the locks in the following places viz: one between the first and second lock at Dudbridge, one other at the Double Lock, Ryeford, and one near the lock in Nassfield, each house to have 2 rooms below and 2 above about the same size as the house at Easton Lock.
Mr Keck and Benjamin Grazebrook to measure up the remainder of the stonework done by Messrs Bough and Edge.
The withy trees at the bottom of the meadow next to Mr Knight’s garden to be sold to Mr Knight to be taken down.
Sale of land at the side of Dudbridge Lock confirmed.
Also confirmed the agreement with Thomas Ellis of a road through his land.
The building of lock houses to be postponed until further order.
Sale of withy trees to be postponed until further order.
A warehouse be immediately erected at Wallbridge and that an apartment be made at one end of the same for the person who attends it. Likewise one other warehouse at Dudbridge.
Leaks in Mr Cook’s and Mr Halliday’s land be immediately repaired.
Mr Keck to be paid £50 on account.
Orders of the [Severn] Commissioners at several meetings to be carried into execution.
Waste of water at upper gates of Double Lock to be immediately prevented.
Committee have determined the position of the warehouses and agreed with Edward Keene regarding timber work. To be set about immediately.
The tithes for the land in the canal and towing path in the several parishes are to be immediately settled.
Clerk reported that he has paid the Rev Pettat for the tithes in the parish of Stonehouse and has waited on the Rev Davies to settle the same in the Parish of Easton, but he refuses to settle till the Company agrees to pay tithes for the brickyard and banks.
General Meeting
Money received from tonnage, £375 16s 5d to be applied to completion of Navigation
3s a ton to be taken for all goods, wares and merchandise imported up the Severn to or exported down the Severn from Wallbridge except stone, bricks, copper, slag, slates and clay for which 2s a ton shall be taken and so in proportion for any distance of place.
2s a ton to be taken for all corn meal and grain, also for all goods, wares and merchandise which will come down the Severn and be imported to Wallbridge, and for all goods exported from Wallbridge up the Severn, except corn.
A drawback of 1s a ton is to be paid by our clerk to all persons carrying coals by wagons from the Navigation to Cirencester or Tetbury on their producing a ticket from the person of whom the said coals is purchased certifying the owner’s name of the wagon and the quality of coals. And likewise the same drawback to be paid for all coals carried by wagons to any distance exceeding 10 miles from the wharf where such coals is taken.
Committee authorised to borrow up to £1000 towards completing the Navigation. Tolls and profits to be used to pay of borrowing with interest.
Richard and Nathaniel Watts be paid £10 for widening and completing the bridge and road leading to the wharf at Wallbridge.
Posts and rails to be put up along road leading to bridge at Ryeford.
Trunks to be put in at Whitminster Mill Pond next Monday.
John Butcher to be asked for as much of his orchard as necessary to build a warehouse and road at Cainscross to access the wharf.
A quick mound to be planted between Mr Webb’s land and the brick yard at Wallbridge and that the hedge next to the quay be immediately laid.
Tiles on the cage at Wallbridge to be used on new warehouse.
John Gleave’s wages be immediately reduced to half a guinea a week.
Wooden house at the wharf at Ryeford be brought up to the wharf at Wallbridge.
The bridge at Oyle Mill be immediately gravelled.
The warehouse at Wallbridge to be 9ft high under the beams.
Margaret Lewis made out a claim for share 130, first owned by Timothy Lewis.
No stone to be sold to the highways for less than 3s per ton.
Benjamin Grazebrook reported that he is very apprehensive that the right hand wall below the gate of the Double Lock will ‘sloff down’ if not immediately repaired. Mr Keck to be told to repair it before it falls and obstructs the Navigation.
No vessel to pass the lock at Bristol Road till after Tuesday 20 instant.
Samuel Hooper to do the tiling of Wallbridge warehouse at 3s per sq ft.
Benjamin Grazebrook has seen Mr Keck who will take down the wall and repair it when the weather is better. He will be responsible for any consequences which may attend the delay.
William Franklin is to take down and rebuild the guard walls on the bridge at Dudbridge before last 2 guineas of account is paid.
