More Notes on Kentish Roads

MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS By F. C. ELLISTON-ERWOOD, F.S.A. (1) THE RECONSTRUCTION OE DEPTEOBD BEIDGE. 1787-1797. A transcript of the original contract of 1789, with some Ulustrative extracts from the Minute Books of the New Cross Turnpike Trust. DEPTFORD Bridge over the River Ravensborne carries the great highway into Kent from London to Dover; its importance is therefore obvious, but unfortunately it is situated in two counties., Surrey and Kent, Kent that is, before the inclusion of the north western portion in the administrative area of the London County CouncU. NormaUy aU such bridges are the responsibihty of the County but here divided ownership opened the door to evasion, and the Road Trust found itself saddled with the cost of upkeep and maintenance. The foUowing extracts from the Minutes of the Trust teU the main outlines of the story. 1787. June 30th. Deptford Bridge is reported damaged and in need of immediate attention. It is maintained that it is a County Bridge and an examination and report is to be made to the Quarter Sessions. MeanwhUe the Trust wiU carry out temporary repaks. 1788. Mar. 20th. It is reported to the Trust that the Bridge is NOT a County Bridge. An enquky is ordered. 1788. Apr. 27th. Legal opinion is to be obtained as to the status of the Bridge as the Trust had previously widened it and kept it in order and thereby assumed responsibihty. Richard Martyr a local surveyor was asked to make a survey of the Bridge and give an estimate for its thorough repair. 1788. May 31st. Martyr's estimate was approximately £200 for repair Widening was to be further considered. 1788. June 28th. The estimate for widening the bridge by six feet was £500 exclusive of any excavation work. The Trustees were anxious to know whether this meant they were to maintain the bridge in perpetuity. 1788. July 26th. John Corbett a local buUder was asked for his opinion and estimate for work, specifications of which were given. 167 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS 1788. Aug. 30th. Corbett's estimate was £221-10-0 for widening and £8-5-0 for excavation. A higher parapet was suggested with an alternative estimate. The cost of the minimum necessary work was asked for, and also the probable cost of acquking land for widening. 1788. Sep. 27th. The landowner refuses to seU any of his land. It appeared that the substitution of a parapet for kon raUings might save £13-14-6. The Trustees now asked for:— Estimates for repaking the North side, do do. South side, do. widening on the South side. 1788. Oct. 28th. Considerable confusion about the various estimates. A contract for repaks on the North and widening on the South was to be prepared. 1788. Nov. 29th. Mr. Mason the owner of the land requked for widening said that in the past he had made many concessions to the Trust but that the Trust had not reciprocated and the cost of a drain that he had constructed had not been met. The Trustees agreed to pay this biU (£3-7-2.) and Mr. Mason agreed to sell the necessary land. A Committee was deputed to meet him and a surveyor (Nicholas Searle) was appointed as Surveyor of the Bridge works. 1789. Feb. 21st. The new surveyor criticised Corbett's plan and put in a new one at £61 more than Corbett's and estimated that the other work could not be carried out at the earher cost. AU previous decisions were rescinded and only the widening on the south was to be done. Corbett, after much discussion agreed to carry out the revised scheme on Searle's conditions. A contract on these terms was ordered to be drawn up. This was submitted to the Trustees on March 28th. and copies were sent to Corbett and Searle. There is no further mention in the minutes relating to this draft but it was evidently agreed upon by all parties and it is this contract (in my possession) that is given in fuU later in this paper. Aug. 29th. 1789. The works are reported as finished and supplementary detaUs ordered to be carried out. For instance, stone was to be used for maintaining the river banks, and the roadway was to be paved with flints, chalk and gravel. 168 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS 1789. Sep. 26th. Further work on the pavement of the Bridge. 1790. Feb. 20th. Defective drains on the Bridge to be cleared out. 1790. May 29th. Adjoining owners ask for compensation for damage. £2-3-0 asked, £1-1-0 offered. 1791. AprU 30th. An enquky as to the excessive cost of maintaining the Bridge and Road. 1792. Feb. 18th. The Bridge again in need of repak. 1792. Mar. 31st. Repaks to be considered when Mr. Mason the adjoining owner consents. 1792. May 26th. Consent given provided that tenants rights are not infringed. 1792. Oct. 27th. The cost of repaks etc. again before the Trustees. Corbett paid £127 off his biU. 1792. Nov. 24th. The balance of Corbett's account paid. 1793. Nov. 30th. 20 tons of flints laid on the paving of the Bridge. 1794. July 26th. The Bridge to be paved with Aberdeen granite. 1794. Aug. 30th. The cost of paving with granite so excessive that the resolution is rescinded and the use of flint continued. 1797. Apr. 29th. An estimate for paving the Bridge roadway £900. There are many entries after this date relating to the Bridge but here are sufficient details to give an idea of the cost of maintaining what was in effect the only gateway into the County and the Dover Road. CONTEACT EOE WIDENING DEPTFOED BRIDGE. 11 MAY 1789. ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT made this Eleventh Day of May in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty nine BETWEEN John Corbett the Younger of Lewisham in the County of Kent, Carpenter, of the one Part and Charles Brett, John Cator, WiUiam Goodhew, WUham AUen and WUham Flower, five of the Trustees for putting in Execution an Act of Parhament passed in the Twenty-first Year of the Reign of his present Majesty, Intituled " An Act for more effectuaUy repairing the Road leading from the Stone's End in Kent Street in the Parish of Saint George Southwark to Dartford and other Roads therein mentioned in the Counties of Kent and Surry and for other Purposes, of the other Part: WHEREAS the Trustees of the said Roads did at a General Meeting held on the Twenty first Day of February last resolve to widen the Bridge called Deptford Bridge on the South Side over which Bridge Part of the Turnpike Road under the Dhection of the said Trustees hes, and the said Trustees have agreed with the said John Corbett for performing the necessary Works for widening the same upon the Terms 169 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS and Conditions hereinafter mentioned and expressed, NOW THESE PRESENTS WITNESS that the said John Corbett in consideration of the Sum of Two hundred and sixty five Pounds Twelve Shillings and Six Pence to be paid him as hereinafter mentioned HATH covenanted contracted and agreed and by these Presents DOTH for himself his Executors and Administrators covenant contract and agree to and with the said Charles Brett John Cator WUliam Goodhew WUham AUen and WUham Flower thek Executors and Administrators in manner foUowing (that is to say) that he the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators shaU and wUl within such time as shaU be appointed by the Surveyor of the Work hereinafter contracted and agreed for weU and truly execute and perform or cause to be executed and performed in a good sound and workmanlike manner under the Dkection and to the Satisfaction of the Surveyor appointed or to be appointed by the Trustees of the said Roads or any Five or more of them for the time being, the several Works hereinafter particularly mentioned and described at and to the Bridge caUed Deptford Bridge aforesaid (that is to say) that he the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators shaU and wiU put up a Two RaU Fence or Hoard to inclose the Work to be done on the South Side of the said Bridge and provide and drive Ten Fk PUes Six Inches Square to the Center Pier Nine PUes Six Inches Square under each Side Pier and lay Fir Sleepers Six Inches Square and Two Inch F k Plank under the Foundation of each Pier so and in such Manner that the Bridge may be Widened on the South Side according to the Plan signed by the said John Corbett marked ' A ' (Note. This plan is not with the Contract) and shaU and wUl make Two proper Centers for turning the large Arches and one for the smaU Arch in the Center between the large Arches and shaU and will take down aU the Stone Work on the South Side of the said Bridge to the Crown of the Arches and aU the Stone Work on the same Side from the Bridge Westward and shall and wiU make proper Dams (so as not to obstruct the Current of the Land Water) to keep the Ground dry for driving the PUes and working up the Piers to the said Bridge and shah and wUl weU and substantiaUy buUd up the Piers of the said Bridge faced with Kentish Rag or Portland Stone bonded from Side to Side cramped and run with Lead all laid in Terras and jointed in Terras (Tarras or Terras—to cover, coat, or lay with plaster —O.E.D.) and filled in with hard Stock Bricks worked solid and flushed up and shaU and wUl also buUd up the Foundations of the WaU from the Arches Westward with Portland Stone or Kentish Rag laid and jointed in Terras Bond Stones (at least) thro' the Wall aU cramped and run with Lead backed or fiUed in with grey Stook Bricks worked solid and flushed up and shall and wUl buUd up the Rest of the Piers Arches WaUs and Brickwork of the several Heigthe Thicknesses and 170 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS Dimensions as set down figured and shown by the Drawings marked ' B ' signed by the said John Corbett and shall and wUl cover the new Arches with Clay eight Inches thick weU tempered and rammed and parget or plaister the Recess to be cut for indenting the new Pier that no Jot or Lodgment may remain and shaU and wiU cut a Chase Nine Inches Square for the Indent of the new Pier and erect two Portland Stone Arches with Proper Bond Stones agreeable to the Design shown by the Elevation signed by the said John Corbett marked ' A ' and also a Portland Weathered Cap properly worked as shown by the Drawings on the sahent Angle also signed by the said John Corbet marked ' A ' and shaU and wiU make a Portland String at least Ten Inches high weathered and properly worked and cramped at the Joints with Bond Stones every Six Feet on the set off and parralel (sic) Portland Coping Eighteen Inches Wide Four Inches thick properly worked and throated on the Parapet Wall with Portland Caps Twentybwo Inches wide Four Inches thick properly sunk and throated on each Pier except Four which are to be Twentytwo Inches wide and Eight Inches thick weathered to Four Inches on the Edge properly worked and throated all the Coping and the Caps to be cramped and run with Lead and shall and wUl provide Seven Bond Stones Four Feet long each to be worked in the Piers and WaU Seven Tailing Stones to be laid in the Earth as shall be directed with Two large Hole3 cut in each and run with Lead for Iron Ties to be Corked (i.e. Caulked) into he the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators finding and providing aU Cramp3 and Lead for running Cramps and Ties And also that he the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators shall and wiU provide three Iron Ties thirty Feet long each and One and a half Inch Square with double Corkens at each End of Six Inches Deep each Four Iron Tie3 Eight feet long and a New Iron Gate to the Garden adjoining to the Bridge according to the Drawing signed by the said John Corbett marked ' A ' The side waU to be built battering to the Stone String and aU the Rest of the WaU to be buUt Perpendicular and the whole to be conformable to the Plans Elevations and Sections thereof signed by the said John Corbett. All the Bricks to be good sound hard Grey Stocks and no soft or samele Bricks (Samel—Imperfectly burnt or soft brick or tUe) to be used on any Account whatever AU the exterior Brickwork to be bright coloured second Marie Stock Bricks laid in a neat flat Joint jointed the Mortar to be compounded of well burnt Lime and River Sand in the Proportions of One BusheU of Lime to Two BusheUs of Sand to be proved by the Lime Merchant's Bill if requked AU the old Materials that are sound and fit and approved by the Surveyor to be used and the Remainder to be the Property of the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators And that he the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators shaU and wUl in all 171 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS Works to be done in and about the Said Bridge and widening thereof under this Contract find aUow provide and use aU the best Materials of the several kinds of sorts and aU Labour Workmanship Scaffolding and Tackle that shaU be necessary for performing and executing the said Works in a good substantial and workmanlike Manner to the Satisfaction of the Surveyor appointed or to be appointed as aforesaid and shaU and will dehver or cause to be dehvered on the Spot or Place where the same is and are to be used respectively all the Materials whatsoever without any further or greater Expense or Charge unto the Trustees of the said Roads than is stipulated to be paid in and by this Contract and without any AUowance for Waste or otherwise And that if any Part or Parts of the Materials or Workmanship aforesaid when delivered or performed shaU by the Surveyor of the said Work now and for the time being be thought or adjudged deficient in any Respect that then it shaU and may be lawfuU for the said Surveyor to make such Deduction from the Price hereby contracted and agreed for as he or they shaU think reasonable or if such Deficiency shaU be in the Materials only either to make such Deductions as aforesaid or otherwise cause such defective Materials to be returned to and at the Expense of the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators as he or they shall think most fit and that he the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators shaU and wUl receive and take back the same at his and thek own Expense without any Payment or AUowance being made for such defective Materials on any Account or Pretence whatsoever And that if he the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators do not or shall not proceed when ordered to carry on and execute as expeditiously as may be the several Works and with the Materials herein before contracted and agreed for to the Satisfaction of and according to the Dkections he shaU from time to time receive from such Surveyor as aforesaid or shall not find and provide able and effective and sufficient Workmen and Labourers properly qualified and experienced to be employed on the said Work that then it shall and may be lawful for (and the said John Corbett for himself his Executors and Administrators doth hereby authorise and impower) the Trustees of the said Roads for the time being or any Five of them or such Surveyor as aforesaid at any time or times and at such time or times as he or they shaU think fit to employ or cause to be employed at such Rates or Prices as the Trustees of the said Roads or any Five of them or such Surveyor as aforesaid can agree for such Number of able and skilful Workmen and Labourers as the said Trustees or any Five of them or such Surveyor as aforesaid shall think proper and necessary for the carrying on and compleating the said Works with all necessary Dispatch and to pay or cause to be paid to the Workmen and Labourers so employed all such Sums and Sums of Money as they shall be severally 172 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS intitled to for thek respective Services and Labour And that he the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators shaU and wUl pay or cause to be paid unto the Trustees of the said Roads Parties hereto or to the Treasurer to the Trustees of the said Roads now and for the time being all such Sum and Sums of Money as shaU be expended or disbursed in the Employment of such Workmen and Labourers as aforesaid or otherwise shall and wUl permit the same to be deducted and retained from and out of any Monies that shall or may be due to him under or by Virtue of this Contract And the said Trustees Parties hereto for themselves and for the Trustees of the said Roads for the time being do covenant promise and agree to and with the said John Corbett his Executors and Administrators that the Trustees of the said Roads out of the Revenues of the said Trust shaU and will find and provide aU Earth necessary to fiU up the Ground to its proper Heigth or LeveU And also that when the whole of the Work hereby contracted and agreed for shaU be performed and executed by the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators according to the Terms herein before mentioned and agreed upon and according to the Satisfaction of the Surveyor appointed or to be appointed as aforesaid the Trustees of the said Roads or thek Treasurer for the time being shall and wUl weU and truly pay or cause to be paid out of the Revenues of the said Trust unto the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators aU such Sum or Sums of Money as shall be justly due to the said John Corbett his Executors or Administrators for the several Materials Works and Services herein before contracted and agreed for at the Price aforesaid PROVIDED ALWAYS and it is the True Intent and Meaning of these Presents and of the Parties hereunto and so agreed and understood by them and every of them that in Case the Trustees of the said Roads now and for the time being or any Five of them at a General Meeting assembled or the Surveyor appointed or to be appointed as aforesaid shaU think proper to make any Alteration Addition or Diminution of or to any of the Works herein before contracted and agreed for then such Alterations Additions or Diminutions shall be paid for by the Trustees of the said Roads now and for the time being in Addition to the Sum of Money hereinbefore contracted and agreed for or subtracted therefrom at such Rates and Prices as shaU be settled by such Surveyor as aforesaid according as the same shaU be an Addition to or Diminution of the Work hereby contracted and agreed for but shall not in any Manner vacate or make void these Presents nor any Covenant Matter or Thing herein contained IN WITNESS whereof the said John Corbett hath hereunder set his Hand and Seal the'Day and Year first above written JOHN CORBETT. 173 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS Endorsed. Sealed and Dehvered by the within named John Corbett (being first duly stamped) in the presence of Thomas BUlopp Mr. John Corbett and the Trustees of the New Cross Turnpike Contract for widening Deptford Bridge. Dated 11th May 1789 (2) THE PAEISH SURVEYOR'S ACCOUNTS EOE STAPLEHUEST EOE THE YEARS 1731 AND 1732. These accounts copied verbatim et literatim from the original book are of interest in many ways. PrimarUy they Ulustrate the methods of road maintenance in the pre-turnpike era. The Maidstone-Cranbrook road which passes through Staplehurst was not made a turnpike road tiU 1759 so in these accounts there are no entries of contributions to any Turnpike Trust on account of Statute Duty, the whole of which was therefore avahable for local purposes. The fuU range of statutory obhgations, due from every adult resident in the Parish, is found recorded whether it be personal labour or supply of materials for repak and upkeep. These services belong probably to the early manorial custom but were given the sanction of law by the Act 3 P & M.c. 8. (1555) and they continued to be enforceable tUl the General Highway Act of 5/6 Wm.IV.c.50 (1835) when they were abohshed. Long before that date however these duties had been converted by consent into money payments with no personal labour or supply and cartage of material. Staplehurst accounts Ulustrate this slow transition very fuUy. Up to 1742 they show each individual's contribution either in labour or material or both, as weU as a money payment to make up the fuU contribution. In 1743 aU entries are specifically entered as ' money'. After that date the revenue is obtained from a definite assessment though detaUs are absent, the entries recording names and amounts. By 1755 the assessment is given as granted and assessed by Quarter Sessions and the value of each holding is given. Besides thek obvious purpose these accounts record the names of aU adult residents and thek contributions give some idea of thek social standing. Highway Surveyors were chosen by the Justices of the Peace from a submitted hst of eligible persons when the yearly accounts were produced for the Justice's approval, the selected persons being indicated by an asterisk. Service was compulsory and penalties were inflicted for faUure to serve and for neglect of duty, regardless of whether the chosen officers were knowledgeable in the matter of road upkeep. There is not a great deal of topographical information to be gathered from these accounts. Iden Bridge is a smaU arch over a httle stream flowing from Iden Park under the highway at the foot of the hill about 174 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS a mile south of Staplehurst Church and a ' pinnock ' is the term for a drain under a gateway entrance to a field, its purpose being to carry away surface water from the road. Tree trunks were sometimes bored and used for this purpose and were generaUy known as ' trunks '. The phrase ' a day a court' is an unusual one and the County Archivist (Dr. Felix Hull) suggested that it might possibly mean ' a day a cart' which, in a list of statutory duties is just what might be expected, i.e. the supply of a conveyance for road material. This receives confirmation from the N.E.D. which says:— Court (Obs.) Some kind of a cart for carrying stone, bricks, lime, sand and the like, and further gives the illuminating reference 1576. Act 18 Eliz. c. 10 "Every person shall be charged to find one Cart, Wain, Tumbril, Dungpot or Court, Sleads, Cars or Drays, furnished for Repaking of the Highways. The expenditure on the roads in 1731 is only £18 but it must be remembered that there were many duties performed that were uncharged, but when these duties were commuted expenditure naturaUy increased. Thus in 1757 the expenditure was nearly £70. The general complaint against the parish Surveyor was that he repaked thfe ways most in use by the inhabitants but neglected the through roads as much as possible without it becoming too obvious, otherwise the Justices were empowered to specify the roads to be repaired. But the whole system was too unsatisfactory to maintain a main highway in good surface for the ever increasing volume of road traffic and the inadequate service of the unqualified and often reluctant parish surveyor made the coming of the Turnpike Trust inevitable. 1731. The Receipts of WiUiam Day and Stephen Woollet Surveyo's of the High Ways in the Parish of Staplehurst for the year above written. Mr. James Love a Load of Stones More in Money 1- 3- 1\ Mr. Steph. Love 1 Load of Stones 0-10- 3 Mr. Robt. Love 2 Load of Stones and 2 days a Court. More in Money. 0- 9- 8 Mr. Wm. Austen 1 day a Court and 4 days Labour More in Money 0- 2- 6 Mr. Dav. Austen 2 Load of Stones Henry Appleton 2 Load of Stones More in Money 0- 6- 4£ 175 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS Thos. Austin a days Labour More in Money Mr. John Austin in money Sol. AUen a days Labour Mr. Buss 3 Load of Stones and one day a Court Mr. Bridgland a Load of Stones More in Money Ricd. BaUey 2 Load of Stones Jno. BaUey in Money Wm. Bassage 2 days Labour More in Money Wm. Brooker 2 days Labour More in Money Thos. Baldock a day a Court and a days Labour More in Money James Burren a days Labour More in Money Thos. Burren a days Labour Mr. Brown in Money Mr. Childrens in money Thos. Chittenden in money Jno. Crump a Load of Stones More in Money Jno Chambers 2 days a Court and a days Labour More in Money John Chaxfield a Load of Stones Edwd. Chaxfield a days Labour Wm. Cork in money— Wm. Cooper 2 days a Court More in Money Wm. Chittended in Money (?) Thos. Cook a days Labour (?) Mr. (?) Chaxfield ? ? John Everists 5 days Labour Mrs. Edmett 2 days a Court and 2 days Labour Mrs. Filmer 3 Loads of Stones More in Money Mr. Furby 2 days a Court More in Money Thos. Fleet in money 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 1- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 1- 10- 3 - 10- 1- 2 - 1- 2 - 1- 9- 13- 3 - 0- • 2- 1- 1- • 2- -10- -14- 6. 6 6 6 1 3 10 10i 6 2 5 0 9< 0 • 8 • 8 • 4 • 2 • 7 176 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS Thos. Gommerry 2 days Labour More in money Wid. Grigsby 2 days a Court More in money James Grigsby a days Labour Mrs. HiUs in money Mrs. Harris 2 days Labour More in money James Harris in money Thos. Huggins in money Robt. Harndon a days Labour Richd. HaU a days Labour Thos. Hinds 2 days Labour More in Money Jno. Jeffery a days Labour Thos. Knight a day a Court More in money Jno. Kingsnorth a days Labour James Kingsnorth two days Labour More in money Wm. Kite 2 Load of Stones Jams KneU a days Labour Thos Ledger in money Jno. Ledger a days Labour Jno. Marchant, MUler 2 days a Court and spreading a load of Stones More in money Wid. Parsons in money Jno. Parsons in money Jno. Plane a day Labour More in money Sander Reeve in money Wm. Reeve 2 days Labour More in money Wm. Reeves a Load of Stones More in money Mr Simmons a load of Stones More in money Thos. Smith 2 days Labour Mrs Thomas 2 days Labour Nathl. Taylor in money Thos. Town 2 days Labour Clemt. Viney 2 days Thos. Viney in money 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 5- 6- 1- 11- 1- 10- 1- 13- 0- •9* 10 10 6 6 1 8 n 6 •11 • 6 0 - 4 - 1 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 1- • 4- 1- 1- 3- 11- • 1- • 4- 6 • 4 6 • 2 •24 HI - 6 -11 177 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 3 - 3 - 1- 1- 5- 8- 1- 0 0 (?) 3 (?) 0 (?) 1 9 6 Wm. Viney in money 0- 3- 2 Jno. ? ?day Labour More (in money ?) 0- 0 - 6 Jno. WeUs Junr. 2 days a Court and a days Labour More in money 0- 1-0 (?) Wm. WeUs a days Labour Richd. Watts in money Jno. Web Sen in money Jno. Web jun. in money Danl. Web in money Thos. Walton in money Mr. Wooden 2 load of Stones Jno. Wickenden in money Thos. WUdish in money Wm. Wood a Load of Stones and some work More in money 0- 2-11 Thos. Yorkton a days Labour Thos. HoUands a Load of Stones and a day a Court Mrs. Spong 3 Load of Stones More in money 0-10- 0 Walter Hodges 2 days a Court More in money 0- 4- 0 | Thos. Jennings 2 days a Court More in money 0- 3- 9 Thos. Fayress a day a Court and a days Labour More in money 0- 2- 5 Thos. Young a days labour Jno. Bakehurst 2 days labour Ben. Goome a days labour Jno. Cook a days labour Jno. Forster a days labour Hen. Web a days labour Jno. Tyler 2 days labour and some wood Jno. Edwards a days labour Jno Russel a days labour George Chittenden a days labour Thos. Harris a days labour John Farley 2 days labour More in money 0- 0- 6 178 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS John Viney a days labour Wm. Rapsen a days labour Jno. GuUen 2 days labour Mrs. Usborne 2 days labour Edwd. Luck a days labour More in money Richd. MUes (a days labour ?) Jno. West 2 days (labour) (more in) money Stephen Doe a days labour Saml. Tyler a days labour Goodman Baker a days labour George Mitchel in money Thos. Gardiner in money Jos. OUiborn in money. Xtopher TUman in money Jno. Marchant in money Mrs. Jarman in money Saml. Harman in money John Taylor in money Richd. Ward in money. Mr. Barton Stephen Meathurst James Standon Jno. Kingsnorth Sen. Mr. Stephen Walter in money Jno. Reeve Mrs. Pain John Winch in money Edwd. KneU a days labour John Everist in money Received in all 0 - 1- 6 0 - ?- 2| 0- 3- 0 0 - 7- 0 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 4- 1 0 - 1- 6 0 - 6- 1 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0-14- 0 0- 2- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 0- 4^ 17-13-004 1731. The Disbursm'ts of WUham Day and Stephen WooUet, Surveyo's of the High Ways in the Parish of Staplehurst for the year above mentioned. Paid to Jno. Web for work as by Bill 2-10- 2 Paid to WUham Cook as by BUI 2- 8- 2 Paid to James Harris as by BiU 2- 3- ? Paid to John Winch as by BiU 0-17- ? Paid Mr. Robt. Love for 7 Cords of Stone at 7s-6d a Cord 2-12- 6 179 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS More for 25 faggots 0- 2- 0 pd. for 118 faggots dehvered by Wm. Day for ye use of ye Ways 0- 9- 6 pd. more for 50 faggots for ye same use ? by Hen Apleton pd. for 3 days Labor for a man. pd. Mrs. Spong for moving of Stones in order to lay a pinnock. pd. for spreading 10 loads of Stones pd. to James Newman for work pd. to John WooUet for work pd. Mr. Simmons for 7 cords of Stones More by other work pd. Wm. Brooker for moving Stones, pd. for a Warrtt. pd the last Surveyo's pd for Beer for Labourers pd. for writing the Present'mts and Rate and Ingrossing these Accompt's pd. Jno RusseU for work pd. for 2 baskets. pd by overwork to Mr. Da. Austen More to Mr. Buss More to Mr. Wooden Thos. HoUands. pd Wm Reeves for carrying the Stuff for repaks to Iden Bridges pd to Mr. Huggins pd to Thos Jennings for carrying planks to ye Schoole Lane pd Mr. Buss for 6 faggots pd for this Book 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 2 - 0- 0- 0 - 1- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 4 - 4 - 2 - 5 - 1- 1- 12- 1- 2 - 12- 3 - 8- 5- 3 - 0- • 2- • 1- • 2- 3- • 2- 1- - 3- - 0- - 2- 0 6 0 0 0 6 6 6 0 6 3 0 0 9 10 4 • 6 11 • 9 • 6 •54 - 9 - 6 - 7 Whole Disbursm'ts 18- 0-104 Decemb'r ye 27th. These Acco'tts were taken by us whose names are underwritten, the Inhabitants of Staplehurst and it appears that the Survey'rs have paid £18- 0-104 And have received 17-13- 0| So they are out of Pocket 0- 7-10 Pd in thek own Wrong 0- 5-10 Out of Pocket 0-13- 8 Persons nominated for the year ensuing are 180 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS James Love X Richard Bailey Staple Love John WeUs Robt. Love George Mitchell Edward Simmons Robert Wooden Wm. Woods John Marchant Sen. Henry Appleton X Edward Simmons Jno. WeUs January ye Sixth 1731. We appoint Richard BaUey and Edward Simmons Surveyors for ye Year Ensuing Due to Old Survey's £0-13-08. Jno Cooke John Kidnell 1732. The Receipts of Richard BaUey and Edward Simmons Surveyors of the High Ways in the Parish of Staplehurst for the year above written. Mr. Staple Love a Load of Stones More in Money 0-10- 3 Mr. Robt. Love 3 Load of Stones More in Money 0-14- 3 Mr. James Love 4 Loads of Stones More in Money 0-11- 0 Mr. Wm. Austen 1 day wth. a Court and 3 days Labour Mr. David Austen in Money 1- 1- 0 Mr. Jno Austen in Money 0-13- 6 Thos. Austen 2 days labour More in Money 0- 6- 9 Hen. Appleton Sen. 1 day a Court More in Money 0- 6- 14 Hen. Appleton Jun. in Money 0-15- 0 Sol AUen 1 days Labour More in Money 0- 2- 0 Mrs. Usborne 2 days Labour More in Money 0- 0- 0 Mr. Buss 4 Loads of Stones Mr. Bridglass in Money 0-11- 3 John Bruly in money 0-13- 6 James Burren 1 day lab. More in money 0- 4- 14 Mr. Brooker 2 days a Court and a days Labour More in money 0- 0- 3 Thos. Baldock 2 days a Court More in money 0- 2- 6 181 16 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS Mr. Brown in money John Bakehurst 2 days labour More in money Wm. Bassage 2 days Labour More in Money Mr. Childrens in Money Thos. Chittenden 1 Load of Stones and 2 days a Court More in money George Chittenden on labour a day Wm Chittenden in money Jno. Chambers 2 days a Court and a days labour More in money John Crumpe a Load of Stones More in Money John Chaxfield sen. 1 day labour and in money John Chaxfield jun. in money Wm. Cooper 2 days a Court More in Money Thos. Cook a days labour More in Money Wm. Cook in money Wm. Day 2 days Labour More in Money Stephen Dee a days Labour More in Money Mrs. Edmett in Money Mrs Eagleden in Money Mr. Furby 1 load of Stones and 2 days a Court More in money Thos. Fleet in Money Mrs Filmer 2 loads of Stones More in Money Thos. Fayress a days labour More in Money Mr. Farley a days labour More in Money Tho. Gommerey 1 day a Court More in Money 0- 0- 0- 1- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 2- 1- 2- 10- 5- 1- 2- 5- 4 - 3 - • 2- 1- 3 - •12- - 0- -10- -10- • 3- -18- -15- - 6- • 3- - 2- 0 0 3 9 3 6 104 74 6 9 6 0 0 0 6 6 6 (?) 0 • 9 0 • 9 0 •44 182 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS Thos. Gardiner 2 days a Court More in Money Mrs Pain in Money Wid. Grigsby a day a Court More in money Mrs HiUs in Money Mrs Harris in Money Mr. Huggins 2 load of Stones More in Money Walter Hodges 3 days a Court More in Money Thos. Hinds 3 days Labour More in Money Thos. HoUands 1 day a Court and 2 days Labour More in Money ? ? late HoUands Robert Harndon in money Thos. Jennings 2 days a Court and 1 days labour More in Money Jno. Everist 4 days Labour More in Money Mrs Jarman in Money Jno. Jeffery 1 days labour Thos. Knight in Money and 2 days a Court John Kingsnorth James Kingsnorth 2 days Labour More in money Mr. Knightly Mr. Kite 3 loads of Stones Thos. Ledger in Money Edwd Luck 2 days Labour More in Money Jno. Marchant sen. 2 days Court More in Money John Marchant jun. 3 days Labour More in Money Rich'd MitcheU a days Lab George MitcheU 2 days lab Jos. Alhborn Mrs Parsons in Money Stephen Mathurst Money 0- 0- 0- 0- 0 - 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 4 - 1- 5- 7- 12- 2- 4 - 1- 4 - 2- 2- 4- 4- 1- 13- 0- •16- 0- 3- • 0- - 1- - 5- - 1- 0 6 0 6 44 3 14 6 3 0 6 9 14 6 9 6 104 9 3 9 - 6 - 3 - 6 183 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS Jno. Parsons in Money 0- 1- 6 Jno. Plane in Money 0- 7- 6 Jno. Reeve Wm. Reeve a Load of Stones More in Money 0- 6- 14 Mrs Spong 4 load of Stones More in Money 0-12- 0 Thos. Smith 1 days labour More in Money 0- 2- 6 Mrs Thomas 2 days Labour More in Money 0- 0- 9 Nathan'l Taylor 0- 1- 6 Thomas Town 2 days Labour More in Money 0- 0- 9 Mr. Robt. Wooden 1 day a Court and 2 days Labour More in Money 0- 8- 9 Xtopher Tilman 2 days Lab John Tyler a days Labour More in Money 0- 3- 9 Clen't Viney a days Labour 0- 1 6' (deleted),r Thos Viney in Money 0- 6- 44 Mr Furlong for Mr Land in money 0- 4- 6 Wm Viney in Money 0- 4- 14 Jno. West a day a Court and a days Labour Jno. WeUs sen. 2 days Lab'r More in Money 0- 1- 6 John WeUs jun. 3 days a Court and 2 days labour More in Money 0-" 0* 9'1 (deleted) Wm WeUs a days labour More in Money 0- 1- 0 Stephen WooUet 3 days Lab More in Money 0- 2- 3 Hen. Webb 2 days Labour More in Money 0- 1- 0 tfno. Web son 0- 1--G- (deleted) John Webb jun. in Money 0- 2- 6 Richd Craddock 4 days Lab and More in Money 0- 1- 6 Wm Wood a Load of Stones More in Money 0- 3- 0 John Wickenden in Money 0-11- 3 184 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS Saml Marten in Money Wm. Rapson 1 days labour Thos Wildish in Money Mr. Stephen WaUer Money James Grigsby in Money John Russel in money Mr. Thos. Usborne in Money Rich. Ward in Money Mr. Edward Usborne Mr Barton in Money James Standen in Money Ricd. Balcomb Judith Reeve Mr. Taylor Wm. Huggins ? Thos. Walter Received 0- 4- 3 0 - 1- 6 0-18- 0 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0- 1- 6 0 - 3- 0 0- 1- 6 0 - 1- 6 0 - 1- 6 0 - 1- 6 25- 1- 9 1732. The Disbursments of Richd BaUey and Edward Simmons, Surveyors of the High Ways in the Parish of Staplehurst for the above written Paid the last Surveyors 0-13- 0 Paid for 314 Cord of Paving Stones 11-1-3 Paid for 3 Load of small Stones 1- 1- 0 Paid for 4 Load of Sand used at the pinnock 0- 4- 0 Pd. Mr. Childrens for 14 cord of paving Stones 0-11- 3 pd. to James Harris for work as By his BiU appears 4-15- 94 pd to John Webb for work as by his BiU appears 2-00-10 pd to John Winch for work as by Bill appears 1- 6- 8 pd for Beer for Labourers 0-10- 9 pd Richd. Bailey for a Load of Batt ffaggots for the use of the Ways. 0-10- 0 pd John Chambers for 200 ffaggots for ye Use of the Ways 0-16- 0 pd for spreading 3 loads of Stones 0- 1- 6 pd Mr. Kite for over duty 0- 2 - 3 185 MORE NOTES ON KENTISH ROADS pd Mr. Buss for over duty pd Stephen WooUet for Wood pd Mr. Filmer for 25 faggots pd for 2 Courts a day Jno WeUs for over duty pd for scouring pinnock to James pd to Mr. Wm. Austen pd to Rich. WeUs over work 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 0- 24- 1- 1- 2- 5- 0- 1- 7- 1- 15- n 6 0 0 9 0 6 6 10 Dec. ye 26th 1732 These accts were taken by us whose names are under written and it appears The Survey's have disbursed 24-15-10 And have Received 25- 1- 9 So they are in Pocket 0- 5-11 Persons nominated for Survey's for ye ensuing year James Love John WeUs jun Robt Love George MitcheU Dav. Austen John Farley Tho. Bridgham Thos. Viney Wilhn Wood X Walter Hodge X Thomas HoUands Jan. 4th. 1732. We appoint Walter Hodge and Thomas HoUands Surveyors for the year ensuing Due to the Parish 00-05-11 Saml Boys Jno. Cookes. (3) THE TURNPIKE ROAD PROM MALLING TO STEOOD. I t is not easy to understand the underlying reasons for the construction of this road. It was undertaken at a late date when there was more than a whisper in the ak that the days of Turnpikes were numbered, there was a very good road on the other side of the Medway River from both Rochester and Chatham to Maidstone and so by another turnpike to MaUing and of course there was the river itself that had been and stiU was carrying all kinds of merchandise, though not as far as is known any considerable passenger traffic. A road on the west bank of the river existed from Strood, via Cuxton and Hailing to Snodland but beyond the latter place only a winding lane led southwards to the Wrotham and Maidstone turnpike. Far-seeing eyes too might have seen in 1825 signs and portents of another line of communication, the 186 6tftC $enXe TSe^on^e £gtwfo«VC fol%^= VoverWL, CU^IOTVI ^odinni jk