Ellesmere Canal minutes : RAIL 827

RAIL 827/5	General meetings

RAIL 827/4	Promoters’ meetings

RAIL 827/1	General committee	1793–1796			p. 19.
RAIL 827/2	General committee	1796–1804
RAIL 827/3	General committee	1804–1813

RAIL 827/7	Sub-committee

RAIL 827/6	Committee on the Wirral Line

RAIL 827/7	Report to the General Assembly, 27 November 1805

Ellesmere Canal : General Assembly Meetings

RAIL 827/5

3 July 1793	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Hill MP

Unite with Eastern and Wirral Canals

Bankers: Eyton, Reynolds & Bishop and Blakeway, Bennington & Sealy, Shrewsbury
Solicitor: Mr Potts

William Turner & John Duncombe presented their survey reports and estimate.  Advertisement to be inserted in the Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Shrewsbury and two London papers for all persons willing to undertake that part of the canal upon either of the plans ... to give in their proposals sealed up before the 15th day of August to Messrs Potts and Leeke ...

Ordered that as soon as conveniently may be ... a survey shall be made and levels taken of a line which has been proposed for two Collateral Branches by the shortest and most convenient course to the Grinsil Stone Quarry and from Nant y Freeth to near Mold ...

Deposit of £5 due.

£4,850 land-owners’ shares apportioned.

Meeting adjourned - insufficient members present to elect committee

17 July 1793		John Hill

General Committee:  [x = crossed through]
Lord Berwick	Sir Henry Bridgeman MP x	Sir Ferdinando Poole x
Sir Richard Hill x	Sir Foster Cunliffe	Sir Thomas Hanger [?] x
John Kynaston MP	William Mostyn Owen x	John Hill MP
William Pulteney MP x	
Richard Myddleton of Chirk Castle, Denbighshire x	Philip Yorke of Erthig, Denbighshire x
John Mytton of Halston [?], Shropshire x	Rowland Hunt of Boreatton, Shropshire x
Trevor Lloyd of Trevor, Denbighshire x	James Mainwaring of Bromborow, Cheshire x
Rowland Wingfield of Whitehall, Shropshire x	Thomas Crewe Dod of Edge, Cheshire x
Bryan Cooke of Owston, Yorkshire x	Owen Ormsby of Porkington [?], Shropshire x
John Glegg of Old Withington, Cheshire	Rev John Robert Lloyd of Aston, Shropshire x
Rev Edward Kynaston of Shrewsbury x	Thomas Presland [?] of Walford, Shropshire x
Richard Topp of Whitton, Shropshire	John Dod of Whitchurch, Shropshire x
John Wilkinson of Castle Head, Lancashire x	John Hollis Pigott of Derby MD
Charles Earl of Rugby, Warwickshire	Thomas Jones of Emstry, Shropshire
Thomas Lovell of Chirk, Denbighshire x	Charles Garland Greenwollers [?] of Hope [Slape?], Shropshire x
John Knight of Whitchurch, Shropshire x	Benjamin Bather of Fitz, Shropshire x
John Heipick [?] senior of Leicester x	Richard Newman Claske [?] of Coventry, Warwickshire
Thomas Lee of Birmingham, Warwickshire x	J Villiers of Handsworth, Staffordshire
Edward Rowland of Ruabon, Denbighshire	George Corser of Whitchurch, Shropshire
Thomas Agard [?] of Derby	William Wastnaby [?] junior of Harborough, Leicestershire
John Saywell [?] of Leicester	Henry Brown of Derby
Robert Meek of Newport, Shropshire

30 October 1793  2nd GM		John Hill

Confirmed Thomas Telford appointed General Agent, Surveyor, Engineer, Architect and Overlooker of the Works

Richard Reynolds to join Thomas Eyton, William Reynolds and John Wilkinson as Treasurer.

Charles Potts & Stephen Leeke to be solicitors.  Charles Potts appointed Clerk.

Making calls delegated to General Committee.

Agreed to apply for amendment Act.  William Turner, John Duncombe and Arthur Davies to obtain the landowners’ consents and to prepare the information for Parliament.

Details of proposed branches:
C	from near Queens Head to Sweeney Hall
C	from near Sweeny Hall to Careghofa near to Llanymynech Lime Rocks
C	from near Lynklys Pool to Abercynlleth, Denbighshire
C	Sweeney Hall to y bank [?y Cank] in St Martin’s Parish near Chirk Bridge
C	Froode to Mellyn tan yr Owen [?] at the head of the Nant y Freeth Valley
C	Froode to the River Dee opposite to the Chester Canal Bason
C	3rd lock of the Chester Canal near Stone Bridge, Chester, and Blacon, Cheshire
C	Hinford, Shropshire, to Great Fernhill
C	Blakemere to Pearl Moss near Welchhampton
C	Fenshall [?], parish of Hanmer, to Reece’s Bridge (also known as Cheer’s Bridge) in the township of Newton by Tattenhall [ie, the Chester Canal]
C	Weston Hill in the township of Weston Cotton in the parish of Oswestry to a close occupied by Thomas Howell the Younger

Ordered that Mr William Turner and Mr John Duncombe be employed as Engineers to this Company in the levelling and marking out of the lines of the Canal and in making sections and Calculations on the Deep cutting and Embankments thereof in order to enable Mr Telford to make his Estimates and the Committee to make contracts for the execution of the Works and that they shall take upon themselves to be responsible for the accuracy of such levels, plans, sections, calculations and other works as they have or shall be employed in relative to the execution of the said Act.

30 April 1794  3rd GM		Rowland Hunt

Thanks given to Owen Ormsby and Rev John Robert Lloyd for their great attention and exertions in taking a view of the course of the intended canal and adjusting various matters thereto ...

No interest to be paid on calls.

29 October 1794  4th GM		Rowland Hunt

List of shareholders present and proxies.  Holders of more than 5 shares: Rowland Hunt (10), Thomas Presland (Walford, 10), William Gardiner (Coventry, 6), John Kynaston (9), Lady Dacre (12), John Hill (10), Rev John Robert Lloyd (10), Samuel Hawkins (13), John Calland (10), Samuel Turner (Nottingham, 6), John Prest (Nottingham, 7), J Lackwood (Leicester, 6), Owen Ormsby (Porkington, 8), Sir Foster Cunliffe (10), J Inchersole (Leicester, 10), Woodroffe ~~ (Leicester, 12), William Pulteney (10), William Jessop (10), Thomas Boultbee (50), William Turner (10).  Thomas Telford had 5 shares and acted as proxy for Pulteney, Jessop and Boultbee.

When £25 paid, interest at 5%,

29 April 1795  5th GM	Talbot, Shrewsbury	Rowland Hunt

Ordered that the various extensions and improvements which have been proposed in the line of the said canal between Pontcysyllte and the City of Chester shall as soon as possible be submitted to the consideration of Mr William Jessop, the principal Engineer to this Company; then apply to Parliament.

William Turner having proposed to survey the line of the said canal and to report his opinion thereon ... for the sum of ten guineas - to report findings to Jessop.

Telford referred to as General Agent and Surveyor.

Rates for carriage for the passenger boats on the Ellesmere Port to Chester section.

Telford has reduced his shareholding to 3 shares.

28 October 1795  6th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	[No mention of who chaired]

Jessop’s report on variations agreed:
C	Frankton Common to Sherryman’s Hill, Whitchurch
C	Whixall Moss to Prees Higher Heath (turnpike road from Whitchurch to Sandford)
C	Ellesmere Arm
Apply to Parliament.  Turner’s objections to be forwarded to Jessop.

Reference to a clause in the previous Act obliging the ECC to apply to Parliament within a given time for a connection with the Chester Canal Co near Tattenhall or wherever agreed; to be continued in the new Act.

29 June 1796  1st GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	Rowland Hill

[Not stated why numbering of meetings has restarted at one!]

In those present/proxies list: Telford acts for Boultbee; John Simpson described as ‘Architect’, as is William Turner.

48 people appointed to General Committee; doesn’t include Boultbee.

Tonnage on coals reduced to 1d per ton per mile and on other goods to 2d per ton per mile.

30 November 1796  2nd GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Kynaston

Ordered that Mr John Duncombe, the Engineer to this Company, do survey and make an accurate level, plan, section and estimate from Ellesmere to the Bettesfield–Wem road.

Question of whether to extend the canal at the Whitby end to Netherpool; put to General Committee.

28 June 1797  3rd GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell

Material for erecting lime kilns close to the banks of the canal shall be carried without charge for one year.

29 November 1797  4th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Robert Lloyd

General committee recommended to confine their attention as much as possible to the completion of the Chirk Aqueduct and that part of the canal which extends from the Chirk Aqueduct to Pontcysyllte and to such other parts of the canal as are most likely to produce immediate profit and that they do not enter on any new undertakings until those already begun are completed.

27 June 1798  5thGM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Wilkinson

[Nothing of interest]

28 November 1798  6th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt

Mr Telford, having produced and read a report to the General assembly of the present state of the Canal, it is ordered that the same be printed.

Railway from near Pontcysyllte to at or near Holt substituted for the line of the canal.

Interest on calls discontinued.

26 June 1799  7th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Hill

Joseph Wheatley of Leicester now owner of 43 shares; Thomas Boultbee still owner of 52.

Sir Thomas Broughton and Charles Hamilton attended on behalf of the Chester Canal Company and its mortgagees.  It is the opinion of this General Assembly that it will be for the mutual advantage of both the said companies that the said application to Parliament and the taking of any preliminary steps for this purpose should be postponed until after the month of April 1800 which delay having been acceded to by the gentlemen attending this assembly on behalf of the Chester Canal company and its mortgagees, it is now ordered ... that immediately after the said month of April 1800 the solicitors of this company do proceed without delay ... to take all ... steps preparatory to an application to Parliament for an Act to effect a junction between the Whitchurch Branch of the Ellesmere Canal and the Chester Canal ...

27 November 1799  8th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	Edward Rowland

More about rates on the Wirral branch, in particular concerning goods going up the locks at Chester.

25 June 1800  9th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt

Solicitors instructed to apply for Act to effect the junction with the Chester Canal.

26 November 1800  10th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Hill

24 June 1801  11th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell

[Nothing of interest]

25 November 1801  12th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell

Act of Parliament being applied for relative to part of the Ruabon line of the said canal; also apply for an extra £67,000 to complete the canal and collateral cuts.

30 June 1802  13th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Hill

The £67,000 to be raised by calls on the existing proprietors in proportion to their respective shares, to be payable at such times as the General Committee decides.

24 November 1802  14th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell

Joseph Wheatley now has 64 shares.  Thomas Lee of Birmingham has sold his shares.

Tonnage on the ‘detached’ canal system:
C	Limestone 1d / mile for each 30 cwt
C	Coals for burning lime 1d / mile for each 20 cwt
C	Other coals 1½d / mile for each 20 cwt
C	Burnt lime 1½d / mile for each 20 cwt
C	Groceries 2d / mile for each 20 cwt
C	Bricks, building stone, slate, free stone, timber and all other goods 1½d / mile for each 20 cwt

Also tonnages for Wirral line.

It shall be stated to the proprietors in the strongest possible terms  ... that it will be much for the interest of this concern to have larger and more frequent calls ... so that the works remaining to be executed ... may be completed and the whole of the said canal be brought into profit as soon as possible. and that the proprietors be desired individually to state their sentiments on this subject ... to the intent that the said committee may adapt their future orders for the payment of calls to the wishes of the major part of the said proprietors.

General agent or treasurer to place notice for call.

29 June 1803  15th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell

Apply to Parliament:
C	for power to take water from the Dee above Llangollen; embankment at Bala Pool with gauge;
C	increase tonnage on burnt lime;
C	improve the line of the Ruabon railway; and
C	also investigate alternative route from White Mere to Shrewsbury avoiding necessity for a tunnel at Weston Lullingfields.

30 November 1803  16th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Hill

Telford referred to as General Agent.

Jessop present  [Inferred from list of shareholders.]

27 June 1804  17th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell

Earl of Bridgewater (present) has 19 shares. [The first time he has been listed — he became Earl the previous year.]

28 November 1804  18th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Hill

Tonnage on burnt lime to be 3d per ton per mile.

26 June 1805  19th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater

Earl of Bridgewater now has 30 shares.  Telford’s holding down to 2 shares (from 3).

Tonnage on burnt lime 2½d per ton per mile and on limestone and coal for burning limestone 1d per ton per mile.

Discussions having been at different periods had on the propriety of compleating the line from Weston to Shrewsbury which has not appeared expedient to be undertaken at the present crisis, Resolved that for the satisfaction of such proprietors as are desirous of the early execution of the said line to Shrewsbury, the same, if not sooner completed, shall be brought under the consideration of the next General Assembly.

Shares marked ‘A’ declared forfeited unless the calls paid within six months of giving notice.

27 November 1805  20th GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater

It appearing to this General Assembly that two several sums of £130 and £114 borrowed on the Bonds of the Trustees of the Llanymynech Road on Mortgage of the Tolls arising at Knockin Gate being charity money, lent by the parish of Baschurch ... were proved to be secured by this Company at a former meeting of the General Committee ... previous to the application to Parliament for the Ellesmere Canal Acts in 1796, It is ordered ... that in consequence of such promises and under the very peculiar circumstances of the case ... the said several sums ... shall be paid ... to the Trustees of the said Turnpike Road.

Tonnages:
C	grain 1d per ton per mile; 
C	commercial goods 2d per ton per mile;
C	timber, slate, lead ore, iron, lead 2d per ton per mile;
C	free stone and iron stone 1d per ton per mile; and
C	iron ore 1½d per ton per mile.
The full rate of tonnage authorised by Act be paid on all articles whatsoever which are carried less than seven miles and which shall consume any water by lockage.  Full rate also to be paid on all lime and coal brought upon the canal to the south of the Aqueduct at Pontcysyllte.

Print Roland Hunt’s oration at the opening of the Aqueduct and also the report on the state of the Ellesmere Canal.

5 March 1806  Special GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt

£25,000 should be raised immediately to proceed with the works now in hand and for the payment of some pressing demands.  Messrs Eyton & Wilkinson, bankers of Shrewsbury, to lend £10,000 on the mortgage of the tolls.  £15,000 to be raised using promissory notes at 5%; convertible to shares within three years, issued at not less than £70 (£133 has been paid on fully-paid shares); offered to proprietors.

Land, houses, warehouses, boats and other articles may be disposed of prudently and with due attention to the interest s of the said company as soon as the same can be done.

25 June 1806  21st GM	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater

[Nothing of interest]

26 November 1806  22nd GM	Canal Office, Ellesmere	John Hill

An additional tonnage of one farthing per ton per mile shall be imposed upon all boats of the new construction navigating upon the said canal the bows of which are pointed and shod with iron and which are therefore very injurious to the works of the canal.

[This is the last Ellesmere Canal GA meeting that Telford is known for certain to have attended, his name appearing in the list of shareholders.]

24 June 1807  23rd GM	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt

Further £4,000 to be raised by promissory notes.  For the purposes of the railway only.

25 November 1807 24th GM	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt

Tonnage for pig and bar iron reduced from 2d to 1½d per ton per mile until the next General assembly.

‘Regulations to be observed by boatmen and other’ approved.  Graving docks at Chester and Pontcysyllte in use.  Weighing at Ellesmere.

29 June 1808  25th GM	Canal Office, Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell

Rubble stone for building or draining to be carried free after it has paid for tonnage for 16 miles.
Reduction on pig and bar iron to continue until the next General Assembly.

30 November 1808  26th GM	Canal Office, Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell

Reduction on pig and bar iron to continue.

20 June 1809  27th GM	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater

The salaries of Mr Thomas Stanton and Mr Thomas Denton the Agent and Engineer to the said company be for the future paid to them clear of the income or property tax and that the several sums that they have paid on that account since the passing of the Property Tax Act be repaid to them.  And it is also ordered ... that the salary of Mr John Stanton be increased to the sum of eighty pounds clear of the property tax and to be considered as commencing at Christmas last.

29 November 1809  28th GM	Canal Office, Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell

John Whitehurst has 50 shares.

From and after the 25th day of December next the collieries carrying coals upon the Ruabon Railway be require to weigh all such coals at the weighing machine at Pontcysyllte Bason paying for the weighing for the same at the rate one half penny per ton and in default of their complying with this regulation they do pay an additional toll of one half penny per ton per mile on all coals and other articles which shall be carried on the said railway or canal. 

Agreed application be made to Parliament for extension from Sherrymans Bridge to Castle Well.

27 June 1810  29th GM	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Earl of Ellesmere

[Nothing of interest]

20 November 1810  30th GM	Canal Office, Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell

List of impending forfeited shares; many traded as quarter shares.

From 1 January 1811 all tonnages to be at the maximum permitted by Parliament.

26 June 1811  31st GM	Canal Office, Ellesmere	John Edwards

There is reasonable grounds to expect that at the next General Assembly ... an early period may be fixed for declaring a Dividend.  [The minutes do not record a dividend ever being paid by the Ellesmere Canal.]

27 November 1811  32nd GM	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater

Earl of Bridgewater now has 40 shares.

Committee to examine and audit the accounts: Earl of Bridgewater, Sir John Hill, John Kynaston Powell, Rev Joseph Aldrich Cotton, William Owen, John Edwards, Joseph Lee and Robert Clarke.

26 June 1812  33rd GM	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Sir John Hill

From 1 July 1812, all lime stone, lime coals, fire coals and slate which shall be boated along the Ellesmere Canal out of Shropshire and Denbighshire into Cheshire as far as the lime works at Wrenbury on the Nantwich line of the canal be charged for tonnage to Grindley Brook only.

25 November 1812  34th GM	Canal office, Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater

Earl of Bridgewater now has 50 shares; Richard Scott has 40; John Whitehurst 50; Stephen Leeke 30.

Ordered that the Earl of Bridgewater, Thomas Kynaston Powell, Robert Clarke, Samuel Yate Benyon and such other members of the General Committee of this Company as shall happen to be in London during the progress of the intended Bill for a Union of the Ellesmere and Chester Canal Companies through Parliament ... are appointed a Sub-Committee for the purpose of making such arrangements ... as shall be necessary.

Additional bylaws.

Minor change in tonnage for pig iron from Pontcysyllte.

[Then follows a copy of the 1793 Act.]

RAIL827/4

Ellesmere Canal: minutes of Promoters’ meetings

28 June 1791	Overton    ‘of several gentlemen’	John Kynaston	

Present: John Kynaston, William Mostyn Owen, John Robert Lloyd

A meeting of several gentlemen who are desirous of promoting the intention of making a navigable canal from the River Severn near Shrewsbury to the River Mersey near Netherpool.

Advertisement to be placed for a meeting to be held in the Royal Oak, Ellesmere on 22 August.  [Date later changed]

Potts & Leeke acting for committee.  Principal proprietors [landowners] to be written to or spoken to.  As to subscriptions, Mr Owen will write to Mr Sparling.  [Who he?]

Estimates are to be sent by John Duncombe; he says expense will be about one hundred thousand pounds.  He estimates lockage at sixty pounds per yard.  Canal proposed by him to be twenty feet on surface at top, sixteen feet at the bottom, depth five feet.

Advertisement agreed.

31 August 1791	Ellesmere    ‘Meeting’	Rowland Hunt

Proposal for canal from Shrewsbury to Liverpool.  
1.	... highly beneficial to the landed and commercial interests of the country in general.
2.	... pass near or communicate with several extensive coal, lime and slate works in the parishes of Chirk, Rhuabon and Llangollen ... and Oswestry ... and with a branch to extend to Llanymynech,
3.	Possibility of branches to near Wem and Whitchurch.
4.	Committee appointed. to promote an Act.
5.	Potts & Leeke of Chester appointed solicitors.
6.	Subscription to be opened.
7.	John Duncombe to make an additional survey.

15 September 1791	Ellesmere    Meeting	Rowland Hunt

Joseph Turner proposed an eastern line through parishes of Christleton, Waverton, Tattenhall, Coddington, Farndon, Malpas, Bangor, Overton, Ellesmere, St Martins, Middle, Grinsell, Hadnall to Rousehill Lane in Shrewsbury; colliery branch from Overton,  branch to Whitchurch.  He outlined course of proposed Wirral line ‘from the Chester Canal basin locking up as high as conveniently may be to convey canal on a level through to Backford valley near Wervin to River Mersey near Stanlow House and Poole Hall: 10 miles.  Also other proposals.

Navigation to be for boats of 7ft beam except for Wirral section which is to be for 14ft beam.

Unanimous agreement to eastern line and colliery branch.

£100 shares.

Mr Duncombe, with assistance of Joseph Turner of Chester, William Turner of Whitchurch, Mr Morris of Liverpool, where necessary, to make survey, name landowners, and estimate expenses.

Reproduced as an appendix to the minutes are details of the goods & merchandise that may be expected to pass on the various parts of the canal.
C	coal and cannel - 50,000 tons	£3,750
C	limestone - 30,000 tons	£2,250
C	freestone - 2,000 tons	   £167
C	slate - 10,000 x 1,000 slates	£1,250
C	cast and bar iron - 2,000 tons	   £250
C	lead & lead ore - 1,000 tons	   £167
C	Merchants goods to/from Shrewsbury	£4,000
C	Wirral trade		   £250
C	Whitchurch branch		   £500
C	Llanymynech branch	£2,250
C	Wem branch to Bletchley and Grinsell branch	   £500
C	Passage boats		£1,000
C	Other		   £122
Total		£16,455.16 a year
Also: cheaper prices, agricultural improvement through liming and better access to markets.  
Loaded boats from Shrewsbury to chester in 20 hours, light passage boats in 12 hours.
Passengers taking boat at Shrewsbury at six o’clock in the morning will arrive at Chester at six in the evening, and taking the proper advantage of the tide reach Liverpool in about four or five hours more.
Even if there was only one loaded boat per day to pass along the canal it must bring in an annual sum of £7,270.19.3 ... Twenty boats are much more likely to pass in one day than one boat ... Indeed the efficiency of this canal to return a large interest to the proprietors is so manifest that it appears to the persons making this estimate that place it in whatsoever point of view we will the smallest doubt cannot possibly be entertained of its being very productive.

Estimate of expence:
	The great trunk		  £67,648
	Colliery branch		  £36,310.12
	Canal through Wirral	  £23,000
	Whitchurch branch		  £12,618.  7
	Llanymynech branch	  £14,912.  2
	Wem branch		  £14,609.  8
	Grinsell branch		    £2,000     
			£171.098.  9

Notice of application to Parliament
C	Main line from Shrewsbury to Chester and on to Netherpool
C	Branch from Overton to Rhuabon, Plas Kynaston and Llangollen Llantisilio
C	Branch from Rhuabon to Bersham furnace
C	Branch from Lightwood Hall to Whitchurch
C	Branch from neat Tetchill to Llanymynech
C	Branch from near Crossmere to Wem, then over Prees Lower Heath to Bletchley
C	Branch from Broughton Church to Grinsell

7 November 1791	The Eagles, Wrexham    ‘Meeting of subscribers’	John Kynaston

...it will be necessary to have an engineer of approved character and experience to survey the different lines which have been proposed for the intended canal.  William Jessop and Mr Eastburn of Odiham, Hampshire have been recommended by Mr Smeaton as proper persons to be consulted.  Samuel Weston of Oxford proposed to the meeting to undertake the survey.  [Henry Eastburn (1753–1821) had been Smeaton’s assistant, and was then resident engineer on the Basingstoke Canal.]

Potts to write to Jessop (or, if he is unable to do it, Eastburn and Weston).  Duncombe to show Jessop the lines.  Desired that William Turner also attend.

9 January 1792	The Eagles, Wrexham	‘Meeting of subscribers’    John Kynaston

Jessop’s report and observations.  Proposed canal is likely to be beneficial to the landed and commercial interests of the country.  Because of the weather, too early to determine the best line.  Resurvey necessary.  Too early to apply to Parliament.  Advertisement agreed.

21 August 1792	Ellesmere    (Committee)	William Mostyn Owen

Jessop present.  Recommended western line with a branch to Llanymynech, one to Farndon and a third to Brymbo

Duncombe to take levels of the branches.  Arthur Davies of Oswestry to be employed to make the plans necessary for submission to Parliament.  Potts to consult Wilkinson about his wishes concerning the Brymbo branch.

Jessop submitted a note saying he had received information from the gatekeepers from whence he is satisfied that the tonnage on coals and lime will pay almost any expense that can be incurred in making the canal. 300 carriages a day through Wrexham and Rhuabon gates, 50 per day on average all the year through.  Broughton gate £320 per annum 30,000 tons coal and lime.

Jessop’s report, 23 August 1792, reproduced in full, including estimate of cost.  [Imaged]  Advodcates western route because of the extra coal trade to supply both Chester and Shrewsbury.  The eastern route would have only a circuitous connection with the collieries.  
	Wirral line: Low isthmus of only 8 miles breadth, very small expense; except in winter the adjoining country will not afford a natural supply of water, but this may be obtained from the main canal by iron pipes under the River Dee or by small steam engine raising from the tail of Stanlow Mill and, in addition, waste water from the Chester Canal may be taken in.  Mersey–Chester, 8¼ miles, 44ft of lockage.
	Main canal will start at the river Dee opposite the Chester Canal Bason.  Tunnel 4,600 yards after Rhuabon.  Another tunnel 1,236 yards, then cross the Ceriog at Pont Fain.  476 yard tunnel at Weston Lullingfields.  To Bagley Bridge [?] at Shrewsbury.
	Alternative of 24 ft lower aqueduct at Pontcysyllte with locks and an engine worked by the river Dee to raise water (£35,000 for full height; £17,406 for lower + £2,888 for extra locks and £1,000 for engine = £21,286)
	Suggested alternative line for Duncombe to survey to avoid WL tunnel.
	Llanymynech branch lock free.
	Various possibilities for Grinshill and Whitchurch.  However, recommended going for an Act, then amending later if thought desirable, rather than to incumber the project with too many objects.  
	Recommends wide enough for river boats to Chester, perhaps it might be right to continue the same width to Wrexham; remainder of canal for boats 7ft wide, 70 ft long and drawing 3ft 6in.
	In terminating at Shrewsbury it will be found convenient to lock into the river at two places, one at Bagley Bridge, the other over the neck of land, after it has made the circuit of the town, for the convenience of trade down the Severn.
	Summit level will take water from the Morelass [?] brook and possibly from the Ceriog.
	Cost £196,898 - main line £163,936 (including cheaper Pontcysyllte option), Mersey line £15,962, Llanymynech branch £14,000, Holt branch £3,000.

6 September 1792	Ellesmere    Committee    John Kynaston

Recommended:
C	That a subscription be opened, not exceeding £160,000.  £28,000 be reserved for landowners; if not all taken up, offer to others.
C	£100 shares.  Subscription maximum 10 shares, minimum 1 share.

10 September 1792	Ellesmere    General Meeting    John Kynaston

Committee’s recommendations agreed.

17 September 1792	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	Committee	John Kynaston

‘Beneficial’ addition of branch from Maestermin Bridge to Prees Higher Heath.

Reference to a subscription opened yesterday by some persons who propose an eastern line.  William Turner and James Calveley ordered to make a level and survey.

Proposal to reduce subscriptions.  It also appearing to this Committee that the sums subscribed and offered to be subscribed on the tenth instant amount in the whole to the sum of £967,700 which is £667,700 more tahn the sum of £300,000 determined by the preceding resolution to be the amount of the subscription money and from which sum of £300,000 the sum of £40,000 is to be reserved for the subscriptions of the land owners ... the further sum of £12,000 for the original subscribers to this undertaking and the further sum of £1,500 for several subscribers who have paid their deposit money but who have omitted to sign their names in the subscription books ... and after deducting the last three mentioned sums from the sum of £300,000 there will remain the sum of £246,500 to be rateably divided amongst the subscribers on that day ... 
	Then follows the detailed calculations.  The 758 subscribers of £1,000 will each be alotted £250; the 54 subscribers of £100 will be allotted £50.

26 September 1792	Ellesmere	Committee	John Kynaston

It having been suggeswted that it may be possible to convey the said intended canal in such a direction as to avoid the tunnel from Pontcysyllte towards Ruabon and in such manner as to put the coal owners upon an equal footing, it is resolved that Mr William Jessop be desired immediately to reconsider that part of the plan ...

Ordered that Mr Jessop be desired to view the line of a branch intended to be connected with the said canal from a place at or near Maestermin Bridge ... to Prees Higher Heath ... and to make an estimate of the expence ...

25 October 1792	Ellesmere	Committee	John Kynaston

Report of a meeting at Pool desiring an extension from Llanymynech to Pool: Recommend permit such an extension either by a consolidated stock or by a separate independent company.

Agreed to adopt a higher line of canal north of Pontcysyllte to avoid need for tunnel.  No tonnage shall be charged for coals going towards Chester till they pass the junction with the Brymbo branch.  Turner and Duncombe to survey the proposed line  and to consider what water may be procured at the higher level.

Ordered Duncombe and Turner to make a survey and level of a branch from Welshampton to the nearest part of the Chester Canal, also a survey between Pontcysyllte and the Ceriog valley.

Ordered that the solicitors to this undertaking do pay Mr Joseph Turner his bill ... except as to his pamphlet and the plan annexed thereto ... the said Joseph Turner having lately circulated the said pamphlet and plan with additions in opposition to the plan this committee are appointed to conduct and in favour of another scheme ....  

15 November 1792	Ellesmere	Committee	John Kynaston

The proposal from the promoters of the canal on the eastern side of the river Dee ... having been considered ... it is resolved by this Committee that the Colliery Branch as proposed ... over the Dee at Overton is inadmissible and that the branch from the summit level towards Llangollen cannot be proceeded in the ensuing session of Parliament but must be the subject of future discussion, and this committee are of opinion that the western canal must proceed according to the line heretofore determined upon, with such alterations as Parliament may admit.
	Resolved that if the promoters of the eastern line can prove  to the satisfaction of the Committee of the House of Commons that Standing Orders have been complied with so as to enable such Committee to report in favour of their application as a a line from near Tattenhall to Welshampton, provision will be made in the Bill for the western line for such a branch from the Chester Canal to the Whitchurch branch.
	Resolved that the promoters of the Eastern Canal shall become subscribers to the whole concern when so united to the amount of £100,000, £10,000 of which is to be reserved for landowners
	The united concern will pay for the survey but not for any other expenses of the eastern canal.
	That this committee having now found that the tunnelling near Pontcysyllte may be avoided it is determined that the western canal in the direct line from Shrewsbury to Liverpool shall be made for boats of 14ft beam.

30 November 1792		Joint meeting	[No chairman mentioned]

Western Canal Committee: Sir Richard Hill, John Kynaston, William Mostyn Owen, John Hill, John Robert Lloyd.

Eastern Canal Select Committee: Richard Whitworth, Robert Outlaw, William Hawkes, Samuel Daview, Edward Hodges.

[No William Turner, who seems to me to have been a spy in the ‘western’ camp!]

Unanimous decision to unite.  Connection between Whitchurch Branch and Chester Caanal to be added.  14ft beam for main line agreed.  The five ‘eastern’ names added to the Committee.

10 December 1792	Ellesmere	Committee	John Kynaston

Proprietors of the proposed Eastern Canal had had a meeting on 4 December.  It appears that the Eastern Canal Proprietors are not authorised to connect the canal from the City of Chester to the River Mersey with the general concern without admitting of some division of the Wirral line which would be inconsistent with the terms of the treaty ... .  This Committee considers all treaty with the Eastern Line proprietors at an end, but being sensible, that a general union of the interests of both concerns upon proper terms might be a material advantage, this /committee will be ready to attend to any other proposals ...

Petition to Parliament signed.

28 December 1792	Ellesmere	Committee	John Kynaston

Sir Thomas Hanmer of Hanmer complaining that it would be injurious to him and other landowners if a Whitchurch Branch to Chester Canal link were made.  Survey showsw a link between Fens Hall to near Oldcastle and from then to Crows Nest in Tattenhall parish would avoid Hanmer.  In view of the Eastern Canal Committee’s resolutions at their meeting on 13 December, no further treaty with the eastern proprietors to be made.

It having been stated to this meeting that some of the members of this Committee have for the general advantage of the Concern thought it advisable to enter into an agreement with the proprietors of a colliery near Oswestry called Trefarclawdd [?] and Llwynymaen Collieries that a branch shall be made from the Llanymynech branch ... towards the said collieries, and it having been suggested that an improvement may be made in the line of the proposed canal from Pontcysyllte to Nant-y-freeth in the Gegedog Valley so as to avoid the tunnel and that instead of the line heretofore proposed from Brymbo to the City of Chester the canal may also be carried from at or near Brymbo nearly in a direct line by Dodleston [?] to the river Dee opposite to the Chester Canal Bason; it is ordered that notices shall be given at the next Quarter Sessions ... and books of reference and plans deposited previous thereto, in order to connect such respective branches, and also the branch from ... Fens Hall ... to the Chester Canal near Tattenhall ...; and that a general meeting of the subscribers shall be advertised for 11 January in order to take into consideration the propriety of adopting and connecting the said several branches with the said intended canal and for making the canal between the Severn and the Mersey of sufficient width for the navigation of boats of 14ft beam.  Duncombe and Davies to make the necessary surveys.
	Ordered that the said intended canal shall be called the Ellesmere Canal.

11 January 1793	Ellesmere	General Meeting	John Kynaston

Present: John Kynaston, Sir Thomas Hanmer, William Mostyn Owen, John Hill, Rowland Hunt, Thomas Crewe Dod, John Robert Lloyd, William Turner. 

Unanimously resolved: Branch from Llanymynech branch towards Trefarclawdd and Llwynymaen Collieries, as far as it can be done on the level; further as far as Jessop may think water supply will be sufficient; apply to Parliament.

Unanimously resolved that a link between the Whitchurch branch and the Chester Canal would be advantageous, but the present Bill cannot be extended to accommodate it.  Jessop to undertake additional surveys and make estimates.  Power delegated to Committee to apply to next session of Parliament.

Survey to be undertaken between Grinwall [?] [presumably this is Grinshill] Quarry and the most convenient part of the Whitchurch branch in order that application may be made to the next session of Parliament.

Deviation agreed between Pontcysyllte and Nant y Freeth in the Cedegog Valley to avoid tunnel.  Try to include in current Bill.

Resolved not at present to make a deviation from near Brymbo in a direct line by Dodleston[?] to the river Dee opposite the Chester Canal Basin.

Severn to Mersey line and such branches as the Committee may decide to be for vessels 14ft wide.

Jessop to do new estimate of the whole works.

Fund to be increased if necessary.  Committee may admit the subscribers to the Eastern Canal on such terms as they think fit.  Subscribers on 10 September 1792 who had their subscription reduced may have their subscription increased again.  Various provisions about proportions.

[Robert Outlaw mentioned as Chairman of the Committee of Subscribers of the Eastern Line Canal.]

List of subscribing landowners totalling £35,150.

River Dee Company to be informed of intentions.

William Turner ‘Engineer’ to be paid £100 on account of his bill and expenses.

11 February 1793	Crown & Anchor, Strand, London    Committee	John Kynaston

Present: John Kynaston, Sir Richard Hill, William Mostyn Owen, Rev John Robert Lloyd, Charles Garland Greenwollers, William Turner

It is the sense of this Committee that it is essential in the interests of this concern that a union and consolidation of interests should immediately take place between the Western and the Eastern and the Wirral Canals and this Committee having this day met the Rev Mr Robert Outlaw, John Dicker Budd Esq, Mr Thomas Francis and Mr Robert Morgan who have been deputed by the Select Committee of the last mentioned Canals the following terms have been proposed and agreed to (videlicit) “The Subscribers to the Eastern Line are to be admitted to £40,000 Subscription equally to all purposes as the Western Line Subscribers on payment of a Deposit of £5 per centum on the £40,000 out of which Deposit they are to deduct £1,000 for the Expenses of the Surveys etc relating to that part of the Eastern line which is to be connected with and become part of the Western Line ...”

Mr Potts to prepare a deed to put this into effect.

14 February 1793	Crown & Anchor	Committee	John Kynaston

Deed approved.

22 April 1793	36 Southampton Street, Strand, London    Committee    John Kynaston

Jessop’s bill to be paid.

Rev John Robert Lloyd to fix the form and direct the making of the common seal.

Jessop is to direct Duncombe as to the levels of the proposed line from Prees Henlle[?] to Llanymynech preparatory to the same being surveyed by Mr Jessop and Mr Dadford.  Jessop to recommend to the meeting on 3 July which parts should be begun upon and when.

That a restraining Clause shall if possible be obtained for prohibiting the proprietors of the Rockwardine [Shrewsbury] Canal from making that Canal or any works belonging thereto or to be connected therewith within [blank space] yards of the Ellesmere Canal without the consent in writing of the proprietors of the said Ellesmere  Canal ...

[Note: First Act: 30 April 1793]

13 June 1793	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	Committee	John Hill

Various bills paid.

That Mr John Duncombe and Mr William Turner do with proper assistants immediately resurvey the course of the canal from the River Dee to the river Mersey and do estimate the expense of cutting the same and also that they take an account of the sources of water which may be expected to be derived by connecting the Ellesmere Canal with the Chester Canal and expense of obtaining the same and that the result of such re-survey or estimate be laid before the Committee to be appointed under the powers of the Act at the first meeting.

Proof to be made to the Commissioners of Bankruptcy against Messrs Thomas and Hesketh late of the City of Chester Bankers of a debt of £850 lodged by order of this Committee in their hands.

	

Ellesmere Canal: General Committee

RAIL 827/1

17 July 1793	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	John Hill  [7 + ‘several’ present]

Committee:  John Hill MP, William Mostyn Owen MP, Rowland Hunt, Owen Ormesby, Thomas Lovett[?], Edward Rowland, Thomas Lockwood and several others

Ordered that proper plans, surveys, levels and sections shall be immediately taken and made of so much of the intended line of extension as is proposed to be made from Fens Hall to the Chester Canal at or near Crows Nest in Tattenhall and from Pontcysyllte ... to Nant y Freeth ... and to Weston Lullingfield ... in order to avoid several tunnels heretofore proposed ... and also a plan, survey and section of the country through which the said canal is intended to pass from the Cedegog Valley in a direct line to Chester and from the most convenient part of the said canal to Grinsill Stone Quarry.  William Turner and John Duncombe to make the surveys etc and also correct Estimates, reporting on 19 August.

19 August 1793	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  [8]

Bankers: Richard Reynolds and John Wilkinson to become sureties of Thomas Eyton and William Reynolds; bond for £50,000.

Minutes of agreement between Jessop and Dadford about line of canal from Queen s Head to the line between Prees Henlle to Llanymynech.  The Committee did not consider that the advantages from a branch from near Sweny Hall to Oswestry would compensate for the expense but didn’t make a final decision.

Application to be made to next session of Parliament: a branch or extension ... from a junction between the said canal at or near the Queens Head Turnpike and the line ... proposed for the said canal from Prees Henlle to Portywaen near Sweny Hall and also a branch from a point of the said canal from Prees  henlle to Portywaen at or near Llynclys Pool to the lime works at Llanymynech and a branch ... from the said last mentioned canal at Portywaen to the river Tannat so as to take in water off that river for the supply of the said canal and to accommodate the several slate quarries and mines near the said river.

... and also a branch from near Fens Hall to Reece’s Bridge on the Chester Canal ... and also a line of deviation from the course heretofore proposed ... in order to avoid the tunnel near Rhuabon or Pontcysyllte and to obtain a more direct communication with the river Dee at chester such line of deviation to extend from near a place called Froode to Nant y freeth Valley and from thence to the River Dee opposite the Chester Canal Basin and also a deviation in the line of the said Ellesmere Canal from Pontcysyllte towards Hordley in order to adapt the same to the higher level now proposed by the said canal by Mr Jessop and Mr Dadford.

Ordered that John Duncombe and William Turner do immediately stake and mark out the line of the canal from the River Dee to the River Mersey upon a level of 25ft above the sill of the lowest lock belonging to the Chester Canal and also the line of the intended canal from Pontcysyllte to Pont fain and from Hordley to the Queens Head Turnpike and it is further ordered that Mr William Turner do prepare plans and estimates of the aqueducts at Pontcysyllte and Pont fain.

Advertisement to invite tenders for the canal from the Dee to the Mersey except for the locks.

Advertisement to be inserted in various papers for a person qualified to superintend the works as a general overlooker, to keep accounts and pay workmen; security of £5,000 required.  Must work full time on the canal.

23 September 1793	Ellesmere	John Hill  [13]

Thomas Wedge, agent to the River Dee Company, attended and stated several objections to the line proposed for the commencement of the canal near its junction with the Chester Canal and the River Dee.  Messrs Jessop, Turner and Duncombe, or such of them as conveniently can, ordered to confer with Wedge at the place and report.

Mr Thomas Telford, Architect, in answer to advertisement, proposed himself ... as General Agent, surveyor, engineer, architect or overlooker of the canal and Clerk to this Committee and Sub-Committee ... and when appointed, to make drawings and submit them to the consideration and correction of Mr Jessop or their principal engineers ... .  His engagement to extend to all architectural and engineering business, to the drawing, forming and directing the making of bridges, aqueducts, tunnels, locks, buildings, reservoirs, wharfs and other works in and about the making and completing the said canal. ...  He undertakes not to engage himself in any other concern that may require his personal attendance or in any way interfere with the duties of his intended appointment ... without leave of the Committee.  For his services and those of his confidential foreman or inspector and clerk and other persons as shall be necessary to be employed by him he expects salary of £500pa. 
	Thomas Telford’s offer considered more satisfactory than any others received and accordingly it is ordered that he shall be elected and appointed General Agent, Surveyor, Engineer, Architect and Overlooker, and recommended that at the next General Assembly he shall be appointed Clerk to the Committee.  Salary recommended £500pa.  Security of £5,000 for faithful performance of trust.
	William Turner, Architect to this concern, John Duncombe their engineer and Arthur Davies their Surveyor and Valuer of lands considered by the Committee to have by their abilities and diligent attention merited the confidence and good opinion of the Committee...
	Messrs Thomas Eyton, William Reynolds & John Wilkinson recommended to next General Assembly as Treasurers to the concern.  Sureties: £25,000 each; Richard Reynolds senior £25,000.

24 September 1793	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  [7]
 
Ordered that the levels and plans of the canal from Chirk Bridge to Pontcysyllte and ... a small branch from Pont fain to Pontcysyllte and the sections of the aqueduct over the Ceriog and Dee and the plan of the reservoir near Mellyn tan yr Owen [?]  and a plan section and survey of the line near the Caer Estyn[?] Mountain to ascertain the practicality of that line being altered shall be proceeded in and compleated with all possible dispatch and that Mr John Duncombe, Mr William Turner and Mr Arthur Davies be requested to proceed without delay ... 

Samuel Weston of Oxford and his son John Weston contracted to make the Wirral Line for £16,500.  [Minute gives considerable engineering detail.]  665 chains

30 October 1793	Ellesmere	John Hill  [12 before GA; 10 after]

[Meeting in two parts, before & after General Assembly]

Letter fro Jessop to Turner of 2 October 1793 received and read.  [Obviously no action taken about it.]

18.1 (24): Any three of William Mostyn Owen, Owen Ormsby, Rowland Hunt, Thomas Lovall and Rev J R Lloyd to meet representatives from Oswestry to consider varying the line to bring it closer to Oswestry and to consider the extension of the line proposed by Mr Dadford and Mr Jessop’s report from near Sweeney Hall towards the town of Oswestry.  Thomas Waring was named as Oswestry Borough’s engineer.

Call of £2.10s%.

Various land purchases agreed.

Samuel Weston reported that several extra culverts etc would be needed.

T erms of connection to Chester Canal discussed.

Arthur Davies ordered to prepare the plans of the several variations, extensions and alterations ... and the several additional branches proposed and deposit them with accurate books of reference in the offices of the respective Clerks of the Peace.

18 December 1793	Ellesmere	Rev John Robert Lloyd  [10]

Report of meeting with representatives of Oswestry on 7 November: compromise respecting a proposed deviation approved.  [But what was the compromise?]

Report of meeting also on 7 November with members of the Committee of the Montgomeryshire Canal repecting the disposal of the water of the River Tannat and the abandoning several parts of the proposed extension of the said Ellesmere Canal and retaining other parts thereof in the said minutes mentioned having been read and considered the same are confirmed and approved by this Committee.  [Implications?]

The draft Bill: ... it appearing to this Committee that the Engineers by them employed are not yet fully prepared to point out what lines will be practicable or most advisable to be executed for the advantage of the undertaking, it is Ordered that further consideration of the said Bill ... be deferred until the next meeting of this Committee.

Thomas Telford suggested that instead of £500 being paid to him for himself, his confidential Foreman Inspector and Clerk and several other assistants that may be necessary, he will accept £300pa for his personal services; salaries of any assistants to be paid by the company.  Agreed, from 1 January 1794.

Subcommittee: Sir Thomas Hanmer, W M Owen, John Kynaston, John Hill, T C Dod, Owen Ormsby, Rowland Hunt, Rev J R Lloyd and Edward Rowlands (quorum 3) to meet at Whittington on 26 December  for the purpose of viewing the line of the said canal and the collateral cuts, variations, extensions and additional branches.  Samuel Weston requested to assist them and Turner, Duncombe and Telford.

Treasurers expected only to receive the money, not make the travelling to obtain it.

Salaries: Potts (as Clerk to the General Assembly) £40, (as Clerk to the Committee) £180.10s, and (as Clerk to the Commissioners) £40.

Telford to enquire for a convenient room or apartment in Ellesmere for Canal Office and for Committee to meet in.

Surveys, plans, levels and sections to be laid before Telford.(as Surveyor).

17 January 1794	Ellesmere	John Kynaston  [9]

Jessop attended.  Having viewed the authorised line from Queens Head to Llanymynech and the proposed line of deviation from Queens head to Sweeney Hall he is clearly of the opinion that pursuing the line authorised ... will be more for the advantage of the company and the public than the line of deviation.  The Committee decided to suspend the line of deviation and finally give it up if Thomas Dadford shall consent thereto; Jessop to confer with Dadford.

... Mr Jessop also having represented to this committee that on a reconsideration of the several other deviations additional branches and extensions ... which were proposed to have been applied for in the ensuing session of Parliament, and estimating the difficulties and expense of executing some parts thereof and the advantages to be derived therefrom; he is of the opinion that considerable improvements may still be made in the lines and plans of such deviations additional branches and extensions and that it will be advisable to have some parts of the adjacent country resurveyed in order to determine whether in various instances expensive aqueducts deep cutting and other difficulties may not be avoided or the expense thereof reduced and ~~ the completion of those parts of the said canal which extend from the river Dee to the river Mersey and from the Queens head turnpike to Llanymynech and the building of the great aqueduct over the river Dee near Pontcysyllte will give full employment for the ensuing year so that the completion of the general line of the said canal will not be delayed and the interests of the said company may be materially served by allowing time for a further investigation of the several plans and levels.  Agreed.

Mr Egerton [Chester Canal Co?] to be informed that it was intended to include the Fens Hall to Chester Canal link in the next Act but no application will be made until the whole route is decided.  No time will be lost because it will be some years before the Whitchurch Branch is completed.

Jessop to fix Weston’s terms of contract; also to present drawings of the locks and bridges

John Kynaston to write to Sir Watkin Williams Wynne stating that the Committee would like to put the cana on the east side of the Ruabon-Oswestry road near Wynnstay Park.

William Turner’s plan for the aqueduct adopted with such alterations as Mr Jessop shall communicate to mrt Thomas Telford, the general surveyor and agent to the company, and that Mr Telford do prepare a specification and proper sections and working drawings to enable workmen to give in estimates for erecting the said aqueduct.

Ordered that the canal from Queens Head to Hordley shall be begun as soon as may be.  Advertisements to be placed.

Banker to be appointed at Leicester.

Letter to be sent to Mr Heysick of Leicester, informing him of the present situation.   

31 January 1794	Ellesmere	John Kynaston  [5]

Telford to survey canal from Chester to Mollington bridge to ascertain cost of widening 10ft.  [This implies ‘by 10ft, not ‘to 10ft’.]  

Mr Telford, having state to this Committee that he is not sufficiently prepared to enable him to advertize for proposals for erecting the Aqueduct at Pontcysyllte And that he wishes to consult Mr Jessop upon various points relating to it, It is Ordered that the advertizement be postponed until such time as Mr Telford shall have consulted Mr Jessop upon the Subject And that Mr Telford have Credit on Messrs Eyton and Company the Bankers for £100 to enable him to prosecute the said work at Pontcysyllte.

Appointed bankers to receive subscriptions — Leicester: Boultbee, Mansfield & Boultbee.  Birmingham: Lloyds.

21 February 1794	Ellesmere	John Kynaston  [5]

Queens Head to Llanymynech section to be advertised as soon as Mr Telford shall have prepared the necessary specifications.

John Jones appointed resident Clerk at Ellesmere with an annual salary of 50 guineas.

Matthew Davidson of Shrewsbury appointed an Inspector of the works being carried on at Pontcysyllte and the Llanymynech Branch and also the future works at Chirk Valley and in that neighbourhood and that he reside at Chirk and be allowed a salary of £100 per annum.

Telford to employ an Inspector of the works between Chester and the River Mersey at an annual salary of 50 guineas.

Clerk to write to William Turner for the original specification of the Wirral Line; copy to be sent to Telford for his observations and transmission to Jessop to enable him to settle Weston’s contract.

3 March 1794	Ellesmere	John Hill  [6]

Weston to be allowed £330 for widening the Wirral line by 10ft between Chester and the Mollington Road which has been found necessary for the convenience of persons passing with Boats, Barges and other Vessels.

Telford to meet Jessop in London as soon as possible  to advise with him on plans now prepared by Telford for communication with the Chester Canal and the River Mersey.

James Houghton & Sons of Withington (Shropshire) and Thomas Ford of Wellington contracted to construct Queens Head to Llanymynech section for £3,287.

Ordered that Mr Davies do immediately survey and value the land to be taken for the intended canal from Queen’s Head to Hordley.

31 March 1794	Ellesmere	John Kynaston  [6]

Plans for Pontcysyllte Aqueduct produced by Telford and approved by Jessop adopted; tenders to be invited.

The plans for the communication of this canal with the Chester Canal and with the Rivers Dee and Mersey produced by Telford and approved by Jessop to be adopted and carried into execution.

Ordered that Mr Telford do agree with Messrs Houghton Sons and Ford to cut and completed so much of the Canal being about 300 or 400 yards in length extending from the Queen’s Head turnpike towards Llanymynech as will enable the Contractors to carry the Water from the part of the Canal now agreed to be made from Hordley to the Queen’s Head turnpike.

Ordered that Mr Telford do write to Mr Jeswsop for his directions as to the further Surveys, Sections and Levels necessary to be taken previous to an application to parliament for a deviation and extension of the line of the Canal the next Session of Parliament and that he do communicate Mr Jessop’s sentiments thereon to thw is Committee at their next meeting.

Fortnightly interim payments to Weston in respect of the Wirral line.

30 April 1794	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  [8]
  
Potts and Telford to inspect Weston’s contract with reference to additional sums required for extra work.

Call of £5.

William Turner submitted ‘several observations ... relative to the conduct of this concern’, to be considered at the next meeting.

Interest will be calculated from the times of payment of ... calls and will be paid out of the profits arising from the Concern when a sufficient sum of money is received from such Proprietors for that purpose.

25 May 1794	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  [4]

Rev John Robert Lloyd wrote stating he wished to construct a private branch from the canal in the parish of Whittington to Green’s Gate in the same parish; bridge over branch to be erected at the cost of the Company; towpath to be on the north west side of the branch.  Agreed.

Contract to be made with James Varley of Colne for the building of the aqueduct at Pontcysyllte.

Ordered that the Levels and Surveys which have been already taken of the following parts of the intended Canal, viz from Hordley to Llanymynech, from the intended Canal to the Chester Canal, from Pontcysyllte to the Cegedog Valley, and from thence to Chester shall be immediately considered and the adjacent country explored under the direction of Mr Telford who is directed to employ Mr Duncombe and his Clerk Mr Denson therein so long as he shall find it in the interest of the concern to do so ...   Committee to consider in August; deviation Bill to be put to next session of Parliament.

Mr Telford to meet agent appointed by Mr Legh to ascertain what part of water now flowing to Thornton Mill can be diverted to the canal, and on what terms.

Ordered that Mr Telford do continue to carry on the Canal from Marston Moor towards Llanymynech so as to keep some men employed there ...

7 July 1794	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  [6]

Inquorate, so made recommendations to the next meeting.  [Which is odd, because there have been as few a six present at several previous meetings.]

It appearing to this meeting from the representations of the Engineers employed by the Company that it may be possible to avoid the difficulties and inconveniences which have occurred as to the passing of Wynnstay Park and the making of a Tunnel near Rhuabon by carrying the Canal to the east of Wynnstay Park upon the banks of the River Dee without having any connection with the Lands adjoining, which Plan it is presumed may be attended with advantage to this Concern and with less inconvenience to Sir Watkin Williams Wynn and other landowners than the plan before proposed.  It is ordered that Mr Telford do fully inform himself upon the subject and do attend the Agents of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn to explain to them the ~ation now proposed ...

Ordered that the plans, levels and sections which have been made by the various Surveyors, Engineers and Agents to this Company be immediately deposited with Mr Telford ...

A list of several papers required by Mr William Turner one of the proprietors to be produced and copied by the Clerks employed by this Committee having been now produced, the Committee are of opinion on referring to the clause in the act of parliament relative ... that Mr William Turner may inspect those Books and have copies thereof ... as he may think fit.

Telford to ascertain where limestone can most conveniently be brought upon the Canal in order to answer a query from Lord Derby about the terms of delivery of limestone.  [Where is Lord Derby’s interest?]

Ordered that Mr Egerton [Tatton Park?] be informed that this Committee have employed several Surveyors and Engineers to investigate and explore the Country in order to ascertain the most advisable course of the intended extension of the Ellesmere Canal and particularly for the connection thereof with the Chester Canal but in consequence of the difficulties thrown in their way by the late orders of the House of Commons they find it impossible to determine upon the most adviseable line for such connection in time to apply to Parliament the ensuing session for powers to execute the line of communication with the Chester Canal and that the Aqueduct at Pontcysyllte, and other parts of the Ellesmere Canal necessary to the connection with the Chester Canal are now going forward so that there will be in effect n o time lost nor any injury to the Chester Canal Company by delaying the application to parliament for effecting such communication till the following year whan such application will be more likely to succeed and the Committee will be enabled to decide upon the most adviseable mode of connecting the Ellesmere Canal with the Chester Canal and procuring a proper supply of water for that purpose.

Telford to meet the River Dee Company’s Agent to explain the manner in which the Ellesmere Canal is intended to be connected with the Chester Canal through and adjoining to the Lands of the River Dee Company.

A plan and a presentation from Mr William Turner suggesting several alterations and extensions of the course of the Canal having been read, it is Ordered that he be informed the same will be duly attended to.

Counsel’s opinion to be sought concerning the obligation to produce books and papers.

1 August 1794	Ellesmere	John Hill  [5]

Inquorate.  Recommendations to the next meeting.

Telford produced a plan and survey (prepared for him by John Fletcher of Chester) showing the present Parliamentary line from Pontcysyllte to Chester with two coloured lines showing various alterations and improvements.  Committee chose one of those lines as ‘most eligible’ and least expensive.  To be adopted if Jessop agrees.

Telford instructed to survey from Pontcysyllte to Shrewsbury and the branch to Whitchurch, to be ready by December meeting.

Telford had received representations at Nottingham about the payment of interest on calls.  General Meeting in April had decided that no interest be paid until further notice.

Telford’s alary of £300 a year (and others) to be paid quarterly.

Telford to have £200 credit at the bank towards the expense of making bricks, finding coals and other necessaries for the canal.

Telford to contract with Hougton & Ford for the completion of the Canal from Queen’s Head Turnpike by Maesbury Marsh to the road from Knockin to Oswestry.

Tenders to be invited for the cutting of the canal from that road to the junction with the Montgomeryshire Canal near Llanymynech.

6 September 1794	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  [7]

Recommendations of meetings since April confirmed.

Joseph Turner, the Agent and Engineer of the Chester Canal Company attended; presented resolution of their General Meeting on 18 August about the proposed junction and terms of a  proposed agreement between the two canal companies and the Dean & Chapter of Chester.  To be discussed at next meeting; Telford and Jessop  to do surveys and make estimates and advise.

John Fletcher’s tender for section from Knockin road to Llanymynech accepted: £3,700 including one 24ft bridge, the 12ft bridges at £90 a bridge.  To be finished by 24 June next.  Bricks already made to be supplied to Fletcher at cost.

Water at Thornton Mill: George John Legh to be offered £300 for the surplus water.

Opinion to be taken upon Chester Canal and the agreement between the Chester Canal company and the River Dee company as to the rights of the latter to admit the Ellesmere Canal being connected with the Chester Canal.

4 October 1794	Ellesmere	John Hill  [5]

Inquorate.

Jessop had approved plan for the junction with the Chester Canal.  Potts and Telford to negotiate with the other parties.

Ordered that two passage boats and two barges for the carriage of goods be provided for the Wirral line.

29 October 1794	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  [9; 14 after adjournment]

Previous decisions confirmed.

Call of £5.

4 December 1794	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  [9]

Ordered that Mr Telford do as soon as he conveniently can point out a place on the line of the Canal between Pontcysyllte and Chester for Messrs Rowland and Pickering to erect at their own expense a machine for raising or lowering Canal Boats without Locks and very little loss of water, the said Messrs Rowland and Pickering referring themselves to the Committee to pay for the said machine if it answers to their satisfaction and if not the undertakers to be at the whole expense.  [Edward Rowland was a committee member and had attended this meeting.]

Ordered that Mr Telford do take into consideration a representation received from Doctor Harwood [?] relative  to the varying of the line of the canal near to his house at Crickheath.  Report to next meeting.

Telford to contract for building a passage boat and purchasing a flat for the Wirral line.

5 January 1795	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  [7]

Dispute with Turnpike Trust: Chester to Woodside Ferry and Parkgate.  New bridge near Moston said to have rendered toll house useless — agreed to rebuild.  Approaches to bridge at Little Mollington said to be too steep and narrow — Telford to investigate

William Turner had requested certain papers.  Potts, Telford and other employees to treat with ... William Turner... as a proprietor only.

Telford to ascertain the damages done to land on the Wirral line.

Potts to write to Telford to enquire whether the bricks made by Mr Houghton at Maesbury Marsh belong to him or the Company.

Tenders to be invited for the part of the canal from the Llanymynech Branch at Lockmore[?] to the turnpike road rom Oswestry to Wrexham near Chirk as soon as Telford has settled the plans, sections and specifications now produced by John Duncombe.

4 February 1795	Ellesmere	Rev John Robert Lloyd  [4]

Inquorate.

[Nothing of interest.]

6 March 1795	Ellesmere	Owen Ormesby  [6]

Inquorate.

Tender from James Houghton and Thomas Ford for execution of works recently advertised for the sum of £10,090 accepted.  Disputes to be settled by William Jessop ‘Principal Engineer to this Company’.

21 March 1795	Ellesmere	John Hill  [9]

Resolutions confirmed.

Call of £2.10s.  Telford to make a circuit to collect money, deliver ‘tickets’, register stock transfers and answer questions.

Assessment of the stone raised and work done by James Varley the contractor for building the Aqueduct at Pontcysyllte to be presented to the next meeting; also Varley be required to produce the sureties required under the contract.

29 April 1795	Talbot Inn, Shrewsbury	Rowland Hunt  [7]

John Duncombe’s daily rates agreed: working at home: £1.1s.0d; working away from home: £1.11s.6d; Denson (his assistant) woking at home: 10s.6d; Denson working away from home: 15s.6d.  In future, Duncombe to have an annual salary of £250, the said salary to be considered as a compensation for the attendance of the said John Duncombe, his Assistant and one Labourer to carry his chain.  If Telford considers further assistants needed, reasonable allowance to be paid.  [Some claimed expenses were disallowed.]  Telford to examine the bills of Arthur Davies and Richard Jebb, Surveyors to the Company, and to make the same deductions, specifically claims for expenses at Oswestry; all plans mentioned in the bills to be produced or a satisfactory account given of them.

Ordered that Mr William Turner’s proposal to survey the Whitchurch Line of the said Canal for twenty guineas and to deliver his plans sections estimates and report on such survey to the General agent of this Company on or before the fourth day of July next shall be accepted and that such new survey and also the sections and surveys of the said line heretofore made by Mr John Duncombe and his assistant Mr Thomas Denson shall then be submitted to the consideration of some other disinterested Engineer for the guidance of this Committee.  [Why not Jessop?]

7 May 1795	 Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  (4)

Inquorate.

Write to Mr Townshend and other proprietors at Whitby asking whether they intend to build warehousing or accommodation for people navigating the canal.

Question of possibility of pumping engine at Stanney Mill to be looked at by Telford.

8 July 1795	Ellesmere	John Kynaston  (9)

Landowners at Whitby to be asked whether they intend to erect wharfs, warehouses etc or whether it is to be done by the company.

Tenders to be invited for Hordley to Weston Lullingfields section as soon as sections, levels and specifications prepared ‘it appearing to the Committee that the same will be a very productive part of the Concern’.

Ordered that as soon as Mr Jessop shall have considered and given his opinion on the different lines improvements and variations of the Canal and the different Branches thereof the necessary action will be taken for going to Parliament in the next session ... and that Mr Jessop be desired to report his opinion to this Committee upon his own responsibility and from such information as he may be satisfied is correct.  [Reading between the lines, what is the significance of this phrasing?  Were they concerned that Jessop was too reliant on others?  If so, who?] 

10 August 1795	Ellesmere	John Hill  (8)

Whitby landowners wish to sell to the Company.  Also land issues at Chester, subject to some restrictions on use of Company’s boats at Chester.

James Houghton Junior has in some instances behaved very improperly in the exercise of the ... Act.  It is ordered that Messrs Houghton and Ford be required to discharge him from their employment conformably to the promise made by them to the Committee when they contracted to execute the works and that no more money shall be paid to them until they have dismissed him.

Jessop’s report dated 14 July read.  It is ordered that the line of the said canal extending from the River Dee to Pontcysyllte and also the line of the Whitchurch Branch of the said Canal recommended by Mr Jessop in his report as the most adviseable to be carried into execution shall be adopted.  Public notices to be issued.

Mr Jessop having represented to this Committee that in order to preserve the level of the said Canal and prevent delay and loss of water by locking up and down to the Aqueduct at Pontcysyllte, it will be adviseable that the said Aqueduct should be constructed of iron at the level of 125 feet above the surface of the water of the River Dee and that the arches or openings of the Aqueduct should be seven in number of fifty feet each and the remainder of the valley shall be raised by an embankment.  It is ordered that the recommendation of Mr Jessop in that respect shall be adopted and the General Surveyor and Agent to this Company is hereby directed to proceed in the said works conformably thereto.

Ordered that Messrs Davies and Jebb the Surveyors to this Company or Mr John Duncombe one of their Engineers do prepare a drawing and section of that part of the line of the said Canal which is intended to cross[?] the Chirk Valley a little above Chirk Bridge and of the improvement proposed by Mr William Jessop in passing the said valley by means of an iron Aqueduct and that such drawing when completed be sent to Mr Lovat[?] for his consideration.

At Jessop’s recommendation, separate Bills to be prepared for the variations & extensions of the main line and for the Whitchurch line.  Davies and Jebb to complete the necessary plans and reference books.

Sir Watkin Williams Wynn to be asked for a meeting to discuss the line of the canal.  John Hill to be accompanied by Sir Foster Cunliffe, Mr Yorke and other Committee members.  Also to ask his consent for the use of Bala Pool as an occasional Reservoir for the purposes of this Canal.

Ordered that Mr Thomas Telford the General Agent to this Company do wait upon John  Probert of Copthorne Esquire with plans of the Llangedwin or Oswestry Line heretofore proposed and of the proposed Aqueduct [does it mean ‘feeder’?] to the River Tannat[?] in lieu of such line and that he do proceed in the execution of such line or aqueduct as he may be directed by any three members of this Committee previous to their next meeting.

Various issues concerning land purchase and valuation.

Ordered that Mr  Thomas Telford ... do inform Mr Jessop that it is the request of this Committee that he will explain to them from what source or reservoir the upper summit of the said Canal will be supplied with water ...

A boat to be fitted up for carrying luggage. of passengers using the packet boat.

The last five items of William Turner’s bill for surveys etc totalling £37.2s to be paid.

9 September 1795	Ellesmere	John Hill (7)

Terms at Chester agreed; Telford instructed to make the connection.  Contractor: Weston & Son.

Telford to enter into a contract for erecting a public house and warehouse ... with suitable offices and conveniences thereto at Whitby.

Ordered that the plans and sections which have been prepared of the proposed line through Mr Humberston’s land at Gwersilt and of another line through Pool Mouth Valley which has been proposed to be substituted in lieu thereof together with the estimates for executing the said respective lines shall be submitted to the consideration of Mr William Jessop ... and when he shall have certified for the accuracy thereof they shall be laid before Mr Humberston for his consideration.

Mr Samuel Betton of Shrewsbury appointed Surveyor and Inspector of the Llanymynech and Chirk lines at weekly wage of one guinea.  To work full time for the Company.

Ordered that Mr Telford do state to Mr Jessop the several observations made to this Committee relative to the forming of the locks at the Chester end of the Wirral Line [Why the Chester end, not the Whitby end?  An error?] of such dimensions as will admit the Vessels which navigate the River Weaver and may be expected to bring in rock salt to Chester and request his opinion thereon.

Call of £5.

Dispute over Mostyn Bar tollhouse settled: 20 guineas to be paid.

Further £5.15s to be paid to William Turner, out of share calls due from him.

Subcommittee to decide amount to be paid to Varley and Simpson as copartners for finishing the work at Pontcysyllte.

14 October 1795	Ellesmere	John Kynaston  (11)

Correspondence between Hunt and Humberston read.  Latter thought to be under a misapprehension.  It is ordered by this Committee that Mr Humberston be informed that this Committee having a high opinion of Mr Mr Outram’s character and abilities will pay the expense of his attendance at Gwersylt to meet Mr Jessop ... who will have full authority from this Committee to confer with Mr Outram and to examine and compare the estimates and sections of the said Canal whether the same be carried through Mr Humberston’s lands or by a line of deviation which has been proposed to avoid such lands to the intent that the said Mr Outram and Mr Jessop may decide both on the part of this company and Mr Humberston by what course the said Canal may be carried with the least possible interference to Mr Humberston or any other landowner and without incurring an expense beyond which it may be reasonable for this Company to bear ...  Jessop & Outram authorised to appoint a referee.

Terms agreed with Chester Canal Company and Dean & Chapter of Chester regarding canal junction.

Chester Canal Company wants the Ellesmere Company to include a clause in their forthcoming Act putting a time limit within which the latter must apply to Parliament for a connection between the two canals.  This is to be recommended to the General Assembly.

General Assembly to be asked to approve paying interest at 5% to shareholders who pay their calls promptly.

Subcommittee to agree with Mr Mytton of Halston[?] alterations to towpath and one or more bridges on Hordley–Chirk line.

Reference to William Turner, formerly their Engineer but for some time past ceased to be employed by them and to various misleading notices and advertisements in various papers under his signature.  No further action to be taken at present.

28 October 1795	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  (14)

It appearing to this Committee that it will facilitate the execution of the works ... if the same were put under the management and direction of two Committee-men residing near to the different parts of the Canal in order to accommodate matters of damage or dispute upon the respective Lines to superintend the progress of the works and to see that the same be carried out with as little injury as possible to Landowners, Occupiers and the Country in general, such Committee Men reporting their proceedings from time to time to the General Committee of this Company.  It is ordered that the following appointments shall take place for the respective districts herin after mentioned and that in case any person appointed to the respective Districts undermentioned shall be absent or indisposed he is hereby authorized to depute any neighbouring Committee-man to act in his stead ... but this order ... [shall] not obstruct or interfere with the execution of the powers of the General or Sub-Committee ... or prevent any other Members of the said Committees ... from inspecting or reporting his or their opinion to the General or other Committees ... as to any part of the Canal or the execution of any of the works which may be carried on under the said Act.
	Owen Ormsby & Rev John Robert Lloyd	—  Llanymynech Branch from Hordley to New Bridge
	William Owen & Rowland Hunt	—  from Hordley to Weston Lullingfields
	John Kynaston & John Mytton	—  from Hordley to Hentley[?]
	Owen Ormesby & John Robert Lloyd	—  from Hentley[?] to Chirk
	Richard Myddelton & Thomas Lovett[?]	—  from Chirk to Pontcysyllte

Telford to do a ‘circuit’ to collect the call previously demanded.

Warehouses etc to be built at Chester, Whitby and (if necessary) Liverpool.

Charles Hill of Chester, Clerk to the Chester Canal Company appointed Clerk and Warehouseman at Chester at £52.10s pa.

26 November 1795	Ellesmere	Owen Ormsby  (5)

Inquorate.

Ordered that Mr William Turner be informed that in consequence of Mr Jessop’s ~~ that Mr Turner should attend him in London on the second day of December next to explain the plans and sections which he has sent up to him this Committee desire Mr Turner to attend Mr Jessop on that business and that Mr Turner be informed that the Committee do not think themselves justified in delivering him a copy of Mr Jessop’s report or of Mr Denson’s sections of the intended Canal from the west side of Pool Mouth Valley to Chester.  At Jessop’s request, Denson also to attend on 2 December.

It having been suggested by Mr Probert to some of the members of this Committee that an improvement may be made in the junction of the Ellesmere Canal with the Montgomeryshire Canal near Llanymynech, It is ordered that Mr Ormsby, Mr Lloyd and Mr Lovatt  or any two of them be deputed by this committee to treat with a deputation of the Montgomeryshire Canal Committee as to such alteration and that they do report their proceedings to the next meeting ...

21 December 1795 	Ellesmere	Owen Ormsby  (6)

Inquorate.

Clause to be added to Bill obliging application to Parliament within two years for an Act to form a junction between the Whitchurch Branch and the Chester Canal.  Survey to be by Duncombe made as soon as the season will permit.  Engineers to discuss best line of junction, then deputations from each Company to meet.

Ordered that application be made to the River Dee Company to permit the Ellesmere Canal Company to vary the present Parliamentary line through the River Dee Company’s land and to carry their canal into the R Dee through the Chester Canal Bason ...  [Implication is that the access was originally intended to be independent.]  

Ordered that Mr Telford do employ proper persons to cast clay and make a sufficient number of bricks on such parts of the line of the Canal to be executed as Mr Telford shall think proper.

Ordered that the Embankment at the south end of the Aqueduct at Pontcysyllte and the cutting along the adjoining Bank and towards Chirk Valley which is necessary to form the said Embankment shall be carried on under the direction of Mr Telford and agreeable to the directions in Mr Jessop’s report (viz) by employing workmen under the management of an inspector, the barrows, planks, boats and utensils to be provided by the Company.

Small house to be built at the north end of the Aqueduct.

George Garner appointed lockkeeper at Ellesmere Port.  [This is the first mention of that name.]

20 January 1796	Ellesmere	John Kynaston  (12)

Previous resolutions confirmed.

Clauses as agreed with Dean & Chapter of Chester to be inserted in the Bill.

John Kynaston, Owen Ormsby & John Robert Lloyd to meet Mr John Parry of Gresford Lodge in order to consider in what manner his objections ... to the Canal passing through Gresford Valley may be obviated and to offer him  every attainable accommodation ...

Consent given to John Probbert [spelled ‘Probert’ in a previous minute] to open a branch at Twyford Common to any lime kilns he erects on the common, providing he erects a towpath bridge; also to him putting culverts under the canal  to drain limestone quarries at Crickheath and Llanymynech.

John Fletcher of Chester to be paid 20 guineas for various important services re junction of Ellesmere and Chester Canals.

General Assembly to be recommended to reduce tonnage on the Wirral line to 1d/mile/ton for coals and 2d/mile/ton for other goods.

Agreement had not been reached with Mr Humberston.  Suggestion made to divert the road from Cross Street turnpike gate to a road lying westward of upper Gwersylt and by sloping the canal bank and planting trees.

Contract for canal from Lower Hordley to Weston Lullingfields awarded to John Fletcher.

Contract for the Ceriog Aqueduct awarded to John Simpson, William Hazledine and William Davies (of Chirk), to be completed by 1 October 1798.

27 February 1796	At Joseph Trollope’s house, 15 Parliament St, Westminster    Sir Richard Hill (7)

[And who is Sir Richard Hill MP?]

Letter from John Parry of Gresford Lodge.  His objections to the ‘main line’ seem to have been overcome.  Sub-committee to settle details.

4 March 1796	15 Parliament Street	John Kynaston  (9)

Agreement with John Parry of Gresford Lodge approved.  Includes payment of £350 for water from a spring, and wharfs to be on west side.

Unsure whether Mr Humberston will still object to the Bill for the main line.

21 March 1796	15 Parliament Street	John Kynaston  (7)

Draft clause for use of River Dee water and for use of Bala Lake as a ‘regulating reservoir’ agreed.  Jessop asked to meet with Sir W W Wynn to discuss it.

Whitchurch Bill to be proceeded as expeditiously as may be and that the Rhuabon line Bill be suspended until after the Easter recess.

Call of £5.

£820 to be paid to Dean & Chapter for land.

General Assembly to be recommended to make a temporary reduction in tonnage on the Llanymynech to Chirk section.

18 April 1796	15 Parliament Street	Sir Richard Hill  (8)

Clauses in legal agreement with Chester Canal and Dean & Chapter.

Clauses for Bill, including: A Clause for obliging this Company to apply to Parliament for power to make the Upper Oswestry Line of the Canal and to be at part of the expense of making a Trench or Feeder thereto pursuant to Mr Jessop and [or ‘as to’?] Mr Dadsford’s Report and to an agreement entered into with a delegation from the Montgomeryshire Canal on 28 March.

Mention of proposed wet dock proposed at Chester Canal Bason.

27 June 1796	Ellesmere	John Wilkinson  (5)

Ordered that the Wirral line be extended from the Bason at Whitby on the summit level in a direct line to the further Bason made upon the level of the River Mersey and that Mr Telford do direct the execution of such extension of the said Canal.  [Does this mean that the canal as first built didn’t link with the Mersey?  Also this appears to be the first mention of Telford being explicitly made responsible for engineering works.]

It having been represented to this Committee that a supply of water may be obtained through the Chester Canal by cutting a trench from the summit level of that Canal near the extremity thereof at Nantwich to Wrenbury Brook ... Telford to apply to Chester Canal, and John Fletcher or such other engineer as Telford thinks fit to survey ‘such a trench or feeder’.

John Fletcher to survey a feeder from the Wrenbury Brook to Nantwich to provide water for the Wirral line.

Ordered that a public house, warehouse and counting house with suitable offices and conveniences be erected at Chester.

Another packet boat to be built.

Ordered that the line of the Canal called the Frood Branch from near Mr Kirk’s Fire Engine in the Froode Valley to the point where the Frood Branch of the Canal joins the line of the Canal from Rhuabon to Chester shall be forthwith executed ...  To be advertised as soon as the sections and levels have been reexamined and specifications drawn, it appearing to this Committee that the same will be a very productive part of the Concern.  [The members present were John Wilkinson, John Kynaston, John Robert Lloyd, David Parry and Edward Rowland.  Two of these (Wilkinson & Rowland) were from the Rhuabon area;Parry probably was too, as in November he was appointed as one of people to superintend the building of the branch. ‘Mr Kirk’ is Richard Kirk, a committee member, though he wasn’t at this meeting.]

Ordered that the line of the Canal from the termination of that part thereof which has been already contracted to be executed by Mr Fletcher in Weston Lullingfield to the Turnpike Road leading from Rhyton[?] to Burlton be contracted for as soon as conveniently may be.

Ordered that a pipe of wine which has been purchased for the use of this Committee at their Meetings shall be paid for ... as part of the expenses of this Company.

29 June 1796	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt

Counsel’s opinion to be sought concerning whether William Reynolds and John Rocke can be elected members of the General Committee.

Cards to be printed giving timetable of the Chester–Liverpool packet boats.

If owners of vessels navigating between Liverpool and Whitby are not willing to conform with the Company’s regulations (which includes charges for loading and unloading), then Telford is to arrange for one or more boats to be built for navigating the Mersey and to engage a warehouse at Liverpool.

RAIL 827/2

29 July 1796	Ellesmere	John Wilkinson  (7)

Ordered that the line of the Canal from the termination of that part which has already been contracted for to be executed by Mr Fletcher in Weston Lullingfield to the Turnpike Road leading from Rhyton to Burlton shall be extended to a point as near the Turnpike road leading from Shrewsbury to Baschurch eiter in the townships of Prescot or Walford as shall be found on survey shall be most to the advantage of the Concern, the position in the Road leading from Llanymynech to Burlton as ordered on the twentyseventh day of June last having been examined by Mr Jessop and being not found the most beneficial for the communication with the country from whence the greatest consumption is to be expected and that it shall be included in the Proposals so as to form a part of the same Contract.

Robert Threlfall of Liverpool appointed book-keeper and wharfinger at Chester.

Call of £5.

Ordered that Mr John Duncombe ... be appointed ... to meet an engineer to be appointed by the Chester Canal Company to devise on a line of junction between the Whitchurch Branch of the Ellesmere Canal and that he do proceed ... in taking levels, surveys and sections of the country between the said Whitchurch Branch ... and the Chester Canal.  

Ordered that Duncombe meet Fletcher at Wrenbury to consider the best mode of bringing in water from Wrenbury Brook into the summit level of the Chester Canal between Wardle Green and Nantwich, and to prepare estimate of cost.  [So at this stage the Wrenbury line was still envisaged as a feeder, not as the actual canal link.]

Mr Telford having now prepared the specifications necessary for the Frood Branch it is ordered that the same be advertised ...  [Telford acting as engineer here — not Duncombe.]

24 August 1796	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  (7)

Proposals for junction of Chester and Commercial Canals to be studied, including proposals for reciprocal rates reductions.

[See Hadfield, p198.  The Commercial Canal, surveyed by Robert Whitworth and later re-surveyed by William Jessop, was a proposal for a barge canal from Nantwich, via Newcastle-under-Lyme, Burslem, the Cheadle coalfield, Uttoxeter, Burton-on-Trent to the Ashby Canal.

Ordered that a feeder shall be made from the Cholmondeley Brook to the Chester Canal near Nantwich, and that Potts or Telford with two Committee members shall fix the proportions to be paid by the two companies.  [The Cholmondley Brook is the same as the Wrenbury Stream: they are the upper stretches of the River Weaver.]

Contract for Frood Branch let to John Fletcher in the sum of £2,350.

Explanation of how the consultations were done concerning the clause in the Bill concerning Mr Humberston’s land

26 September 1796	Ellesmere	Rev John Robert Lloyd  (4)

Inquorate.  (John Kynaston ill.)

Letter from Richard Topp of Witton concerning line of canal near Shade Oak.  His interests to be ‘accommodated as far as possible’.

Ordered that Sir Foster Cunliffe, Thos Crewe Dod, Richard Kirk and David Parry be appointed Inspectors of the Wirral line and of the works carried on there.

Ordered that a fire engine be erected as soon as possible near the Whitby end of the Wirral line of sufficient bore and in a proper situation for supplying the same with water as determined by aforementioned inspectors of Wirral line.

Ordered that all proceedings ... for surveying country near Wrenbury for bringing water into the Chester Canal ... be suspended for the present.

Item about passenger boats between Whitby and Liverpool.

Answer to Commercial Canal: If the promoters of the Commercial Line Canal will agree that such a tonnage shall be charged on all coals canal [meaning cannel or quicklime?] lime and lime stone coming from the Staffordshire Collieries westward and to be collected at such place as shall in the opinion of Mr William Jessop be sufficient to prevent any interference or competition as to the demand for such coals canal lime and lime stone which may be carried down the Whitchurch Branch of the Ellesmere Canal or up the Chester Canal and if such tonnage when charged will be assigned to the Ellesmere Canal Company in consideration of their abating the tonnage upon the Wirrral Line ... and if the Commercial Line Subscribers will guarantee £1,000 per annum for the tonnage on the Wirral Line ... on raw materials employed in the manufacture of earthen ware at such potteries as aforesaid and on earthen ware when manufactured it will be recommended to the General Assembly ... to make an order ... for admitting a reduction or abatement of the tonnage on the Wirral Line ... on the following goods (viz) ... and then follows a long list.

16 November 1796 	Ellesmere	John Kynaston  (8)

Dispute with Richard Topp settled for £25.

Weston & Fletcher’s account for the execution of the Wirral line and the extra work at each end be made out and submitted to Jessop for his opinion.

30 November 1796	Ellesmere	John Kynaston  (11)

Various resolutions about arrears of calls.  Calls to continue at £5 and not be increased to £10 ‘in the present state of the Country’.  [No call made.]

Ordered that Mr Richard Kirk do lift with his Engine the water to the level of the Frood Branch and that he be allowed the expense that such additional lift may cost.

John Kynaston & John Mytton to superintend works of Whitchurch Branch between Frankton Common and Ellesmere.  Weston Lullingfields to Walton: Rowland Hunt, Rev Thomas Presland & William Owen.  Frood Branch and Gresford Valley: Sir Foster Cunliffe, Edward Rowland, David Parry & Richard Kirk.  (Or any two of them.)

Action for trespass against Richard Frodsham for walking on the towpath discontinued; his submission to be published in the Chester papers.

John Duncombe to meet Mr Fletcher, ‘the Engineer of the Chester Canal Company’ concerning link between Whitchurch Branch and the Chester Canal and also the Wrenbury Brook feeder.

13 January 1797	Ellesmere	John Hill  (5)

Ordered that Mr Telford and Mr Leeke do apply to the Chester Canal Company and propose to them to have the intended drain according to the survey of Messrs Duncombe and Fletcher immediately made at the expense of both companies.  [This would refer to the Wrenbury feeder.]

Ordered that the Committee of the Manchester, Ashton under Lyme & Oldham Canal be informed that this Committee will exert their Parliamentary interest in opposing the intended Act for imposing tax on inland navigation.

10 February 1797	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  [Name changed: same person.]  (6)

Still arguing with Mr Humberston, this time about the value of his land.

William Turner’s bill for expenses disallowed, as his plans were prepared under an explicit agreement that if William Jessop did not approve them and recommend their adoption, he would not be paid for them.

Ordered that Telford do immediately proceed to erect one or more windmills at Ellesmere Port according to the plan proposed by Mr Duncombe, Engineer to this Company.  [Does this mean that the ‘fire engine’ proposal did not go ahead?]

The Committee do not at present think themselves justified in adopting the expensive plans proposed to them by the Chester Canal Co for bringing water into the summit level of the Chester Canal and from thence into the Wirral Branch of the Ellesmere Canal but they direct their agents to assist the Chester Canal Co in bringing water into the summit level by cleansing such watercourses or ditches for that purpose as may be done at a moderate expense.  They also direct their surveyors, engineers and solicitors immediately to take proper steps preparatory for an application to Parliament ... for connecting the Whitchurch Branch into the summit level of the Chester Canal.  [So the Wrenbury feeder is now no longer going ahead.]

Land at Whitby expensive; the smallest area of land there that will be sufficient for the purposes of this Committee to be marked out.

Ordered that application be made by the General Agent to this Company to enquire upon what terms Mr John Wilkinson and Mr William Reynolds will either jointly or individually agree to furnish the Iron Work for Pontcysyllte and fix up and compleat the same.

Thomas Sadler agreed as tenant of the boathouse at Chester.

The lowest tender, £1,640, for building the Whitchurch Branch, from Messrs Henry Mansfield of Lilleshall, John Mansfield of Pool Quay and John Fletcher of Pool Quay, accepted.  [The minutes of 28 June 1797 make it clear that this is just the section from Frankton to Ellesmere.] 

20 March 1797	Ellesmere	John Hill  (7)

Mr Parry having suggested to this Committee that it will be advantageous to the Concern to make an alteration in the line of the Canal from Pontcysyllte to Bersham, It is ordered that Mr Duncombe do attend Mr Parry and Mr Rowland before the next meeting of the Committee to take the levels of the line proposed by Mr Parry and make a report as to the practicability and an estimate of the expense of executing that line ...

Ordered that two spirit levels be purchased for use of their engineers; to be sent to Mr Duncombe.

12 April 1797	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  (6)

Call of £5.

Ordered that Mr Telford do make an estimate of the expense of erecting Locks upon the line of the Canal from Tan yr Owen Mill to Chester the lockage whereof is stated to amount to 379 feet and that in such estimate all expenses of making reservoirs and other means of procuring water for such lockage be taken into consideration and that he do also make an estimate of the expense of making an inclined plane in the steep part of the said canal near Stansty[?] And it is further ordered that Mr Telford do enquire whether any and what other means can be adopted likely to answer the purpose of this Concern with more advantage than by erecting locks and making an inclined plane and make an estimate of the expense thereof and produce such estimates to the Committee at their next meeting.  [Edward Rowland was not present at this meeting.]

Ordered that Mr Owen and the Mill Owners and others concerned in the water of the River Perry be applied to for their consent to permit the water of that river to be turned into the Canal on the first opening thereof to Weston Lullingfield and that Mr Telford do agree with each individual who may be affected to pay an adequate compensation for all damages if any shall be occasioned ... 

Final settlement with John Humberson Cawley of Gwersyllt, wholse lands would be split by the proposed canal.  £367 to be paid.

General Assembly to be recommended all tonnage for stone and materials conveyed for the purpose of building lime kilns near the canal.

16 June 1797 	Ellesmere	John Hill  (6)

Committee finding it unnecessary to employ wharfinger at Chester.  Robert Threlfall to leave on 16 August; John Telford to collect tonnage from this date.

Ordered that as many small reservoirs as can conveniently be made in Pool Mouth Valley from the Moss to the Canal shall immediately be made under the direction of any two of the Gentlemen who have the superintendence of the Canal from the Frood engine to Pool-mouth for the supply of the Canal from Frood to Chester with water.

28 June 1797	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  (6)

Land compensation issues.

Ordered that Mr Henry Williams of Ketley be employed to view the intended course of the Canal from Gwersyllt to Chester and to report to this Committee in what cases, if any, inclined planes can be advantageously made use of upon that part of the Canal and the expense of such inclined planes.

Newspaper advertisements to be placed for executing the Iron Work at Pontcysyllte according to the plans and dimensions to be left with Mr Telford.  [Check advert to see whether this means ‘design & build’.]

A motion having been made and seconded that a Contract shall be entered into for compleating that part of the Canal which will extend from Ellesmere to to the Road leading from Bettisfield to Wem and which would be the means of serving the neighbourhood of Wem Loppington and Hanmer with Lime and Coals ... This Committee is of the opinion that it will be very advantageous to the concern to have such part of the said Canal contracted for and proceeded in as soon as may be consistently with the state of the Finances of the Company and the completion of the other works already contracted for ...

9 August 1797	Ellesmere	Rev Owen Ormsby  (5)

Call of £5.

Mollington, Backford and Caughall bridges on the Wirral line to be raised; Mr Telford to give the necessary directions.

Ordered that the Chester Canal Committee be informed that it is the intention of the Ellesmere Canal Committee to apply to Parliament for making a branch from the summit of the Chester Canal to join the Ellesmere Canal at Whitchurch, but owing to the situation of the Country and the great scarcity of Money and as the Whitchurch branch ... will not be completed within three of four years that this Committee hope the Chester Canal Company will agree with this Committee in the propriety of postponing the application to Parliament the present year and to assure the Chester Canal Company that they intend making the application to Parliament and executing the Canal as soon as the Country is in a more prosperous situation.  [Note that the link is now going to be to the summit, thus implicitly incorporating the feeder previously discussed.]

6 October 1797	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt

Proposal received from the Old Company of Cheesemongers in London for liberty to erect a cheese warehouse at Chester.  Telford to recommend site and terms.

John Wilkinson has proposed building a floating dwellinghouse on the east side of the basin at Ellesmere Port.  Plans to be considered at a future meeting.

Duncombe and Telford to report on whether the Porthywaen Lime can be brought upon the Canal without incurring an inadequate expense.

29 November 1797	Ellesmere	Rev John Robert Lloyd  (5)

Messrs Samuel & Ralph Manley & Co requesting lower rates on the Wirral line where onward carriage to other canals: acceptable.

John Humberstone [now seems to have an ‘e’] Cawley offered to plant trees and erect fencing, on payment of £74.18; agreed, and the sum of £38.3s (for the fencing) to be deducted from Messrs Fletcher & Whittle’s contract.

Call of £5.

7 February 1798	Ellesmere	Rev John Robert Lloyd  (7)

Mansfield & Co discharged as they are unable to execute the canal from Frankton to Ellesmere for the sum agreed; Telford to settle their account and to complete the line in the most advantageous way to the Company.

Ordered that Telford take necessary steps for constructing a set of lime kilns at Weston Lullingfields and directed to let them to John Simpson at 10% per annum upon the amount which may be expended in their erection, in the purchase of the necessary land and the laying down of stone for the kilns.

This committee having taken into consideration an order made on 29 April 1795 whereby John Duncombe’s salary is fixed at £250 pa including the salary and expenses of Mr Denson and others employed by him at which time Mr Duncombe did not make a proposal but referred himself entirely to the judgement of the Committee and it appearing on a statement made out in detail and fully investigated that Mr Duncombe’s salary for two years and three quarters amounts to £670 and that his expenses relative to Mr Denson and other persons employed by him amount to a sum not less than £306 It therefore appears to this Committee to be equitable ... that Mr Duncombe should be allowed £230 towards unforeseen expenses. ... Further it is ordered that John Duncombe’s annual salary from 1 January 1798 shall be £210 and that his assistants shall be paid by the General Agent to this Company.

28 March 1798	Ellesmere	John Hill  (6)

Land compensation issues.  £182 to River Dee Company.

It appearing that several Rail Ways may be made with great advantage to this Company for the purpose of extending and continuing the communication between different parts of the Canal and in order to bring coal and other heavy goods thereupon and this committee having been informed that Rail Ways have been made upon a very good construction and to great advantage in Derbyshire by the Peak Forest Canal Co and others.  It is ordered that Messrs Kirk, Telford and Duncombe do proceed to view such last mentioned Rail Ways and the Waggons and other machinery used thereon and that they bring Estimates and such other information as they may be able to obtain on the subject ... for consideration of the committee at their next meeting.

Proposed from Montgomeryshire Canal Co for purchase at joint expense and for equal use of MCC and ECC of a set of weights to ascertain tonnage of boats navigating upon their respective canals.  Telford directed to take the necessary action.

Call of £5.

Committee refers to terms of an agreement proposed to be entered into between the ECC and the Chester CC for enlarging the time allowed by the EC Act for applying for powers to form a junction between the Whitchurch branch of the EC to the CC and assures the Chester Canal that it is the intention of this committee and in the interest of the ECC to obtain powers for the junction as soon as the progress with the Whitchurch branch and other circumstances admit.

13 June 1798	Ellesmere	John  Wilkinson  (6)

Messrs Kirk, Telford and Duncombe having reported ... that they had viewed the rail ways and inclined planes connected with the Peak Forest Canal ... It is the opinion of this Committee  that similar rail ways may be adopted in various parts of the Ellesmere Canal with great advantage of the company.

Ordered that the line of the Canal including the power of deviation in the neighbourhood of Rhuabon and from Brumbo down Gresford Vale to the level of Holt Bridge be viewed by Mr Kirk, Mr Parry, Mr Telford and Mr Duncombe and any other members of this Committee and that they be desired to report to this Committee whether on the whole or on what particular parts in the above line Rail Ways and inclined planes may be most advantageously executed and that the above gentlemen do make an estimate of the expense attending such works ...

Ordered that a steam engine be immediately erected on such part of the Wirral branch ... as Mr Telford shall think proper for the purpose of supplying that branch with water, and that Mr Telford contract with Mr Wilkinson for such engine and for setting up same.  [Instead of the windmills previously mentioned?  Wilkinson was Chairman of this meeting.]

Ordered that the further execution of the ... Frood Branch be suspended Mr Fletcher now undertaking to make such deduction from his Estimate and Contract for the lining and unfinished part of the Canal as Mr Telford shall think reasonable to be allowed to the Company and Mr Telford is to lay down a Rail Way on the said Branch as soon as possible.  [Implies never puddled, though it still holds water.]

27 June 1798	Ellesmere	John Wilkinson  (8)

Land compensation dispute: Reynolds of Bagley.

1 August 1798	Ellesmere	——  (2)

Adjourned as only two members present.

29 August 1798	Ellesmere	John Hill  (5)

Land matters: Sir Thomas Bunbury at Great & Little Stanney; Sir John Williams & John Stanislaus Townshend at Whitby; John Humberston Cawley at Gwersyllt; Mayor of Chester.

Call of £5..

Solicitor to write to proprietors who are in arrears threatening legal action; Telford to supply list.

24 October 1798	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  (5)

Letter from Chester Canal Company about the link.  Reply to be sent: This Committee have not lost sight of their engagements ... and ... will not omit to take the subject into consideration in due time previous to the period when it will be necessary to take the proper steps preparatory to an application to Parliament in the next session for powers to effect such a junction.

£500 payment to William Lloyd of Plas Power for land in the Chirk Valley, damages and timber.

28 November 1798	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  (8)

Mr Law’s [counsel’s] opinion having been taken as to the powers of the Company ... to substitute railways in lieu of the Canal and it appearing by such opinion that the powers of the Company are sufficient ... and that they may with the consent of the Landowners make such railways at a greater distance than the line of deviation allowed by the said Acts and take tolls thereon and also that Tenants for life Trustees and other persons under legal disabilities may ... agree with the Company for permitting such railways to be made through their respective lands and a plan of a Railway from at or near Pontcysyllte to at or near Holt ... and an estimate of executing the same having been laid before this Committee whereby it appears that such railway may be made upon a descent of 37 feet to a mile which is considered to be the most favorable declivity for works of that nature, It is the opinion of this Committee that it will be adviseable and much for the interest of this Company to make such Railway for the purpose of the said Canal according to the said Plan whereby a very great expense will be saved and the convenience and advantage of the Country will be more effectually promoted than by making the Canal in the line authorized ... and many of the Landowners having signified their consent and others as it is believed being willing to agree thereto, It is ordered that the Plan of the said Railway be laid before the General Assembly of the Proprietors this Day and recommended by this Committee to them to be adopted.  [Note that this seems to be only a permissive power; it is not backed by compulsory purchase.]

Report of Agent collecting calls that shareholders are well satisfied with the conduct of the Concern and with the profits of the parts of it now in use and that it is the general opinion of the proprietors that the interests of the Company will be promoted by suspending for the present time the interest upon the calls ...

Ordered that a large scale plan should be made of the canal when finished to prevent boundary disputes.

Ordered that the bridge tunnel or deep cutting for passing under the Shrewsbury Road on the Whitchurch Line south of the Town of Ellesmere shall be immediately proceeded upon and that clay shall be prepared for the making bricks for that purpose the present winter.

Ordered that a Weighing Machine shall be erected on the wharf at Chirk Bank and that the Wharfinger at Rhos Wiel do attend the same and keep the accounts there and that the said Wharfinger be allowed for attending Rhos Wiel and Chirk Bank Wharfs the salary of £30 a year payable quarterly and that he shall have the use of the house erected at Rhos Wiel and the garden belonging thereto ... at the yearly rent of £30 ...  [This rent must be a mistake!  It’s the same as his salary.]

Call of £5.

20 March 1799	Ellesmere	Rev John Robert Lloyd  (6)

The proprietors of the mines in the neighbourhood of Trevorclawdd Llanvorda and Llwynymain having expressed a desire to make railways from the said mines to the Ellesmere Canal at or near to Maesbury marsh but finding that the said mines are situated at a greater distance from the main line of the Canal at Maesbury Marsh than the proprietors of mines can go under the clause in the act of Parliament and having requested that the Canal Company will under the powers of the Act make a collateral branch by a canal or railway to such point as will enable the proprietors of the mines to join the said branch within the distance limited by the Act, Ordered that such Branch or Railway be made if the consent of the Landowners can be obtained for that purpose and the said proprietors of mines do make the railway they propose to the point where this branch is intended to commence ...

Material for making or repairing roads to be carried toll-free if conveyed by back carriage.

A letter from Messrs Boulton & Watt of Soho near Birmingham having been read at this meeting stating the very considerable loss that would arise by taking water for the purpose of supplying a steam engine in case this water was returned again to its original source and it being intended by Joseph Walker Esq & Co to erect works on the north side of the Chester Canal on the Cow Lane level, and it appearing that a steam engine will be necessary for carrying on such works, This committee do hereby give their consent to the said Joseph Walker & Co laying a pipe from the said Chester Canal to supply such steam engine, not exceeding a 3 inch bore so that the said water be returned again to the Chester Canal, and this committee recommend it to the Chester CC to give every encouragement to Mr Walker’s works as they are likely to be of advantage to the Chester Canal and the Ellesmere Canal.

Ordered that rubble stone to pay the same tonnage as limestone except in dry seasons when the Committee of that District are to regulate the tonnage of such rubble stone.

Call of £5.

26 June 1799	Ellesmere	John Hill  (7)

Land issues: John Humberston Cawley & Lady Dacre.

21 August 1799	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  (8)

Heavy rain had caused flooding of meadow land.  Telford is requested to inform the sub-committees of each district what reimbursement he assesses to be due for damage to each landowner.

Mr Stockdale intends to give an account of the Ellesmere Canal in his History of Liverpool.  A present is to be made of a plate of Pontcysyllte to insert in his proposed publication.  [It would be interesting to see this.]

16 October 1799	Ellesmere	John Hill

Coffield’s Liverpool boats: Patrick Coffield having died, widow invited to make proposal.

Call of £5.

27 November 1799	Ellesmere	Edward Rowland  (6)

Recommendations about tonnages where boats going on the Duke of Bridgewater’s Canal.

Basin to be made on towpath [east?] side at Chester by Manley & Co.

Mr Hazledine of Shrewsbury having delivered a proposal to this Committee for furnishing plates and screws to be delivered at the Chirk Aqueduct exclusive of fixing at £10.10s per ton cast in Flaiks[?] and Wroght Iron at 6d per pound and it being the lowest Estimate, It is ordered that the said Mr Hazledine be contracted with for furnishing the said Plates, Screws and Wrought Iron according to his proposal.

Ordered that a survey and estimate be made of a line in which Wirral Branch may be extended from Ellesmere Port to Bromborow Pool.
Ordered that the remaining Mason’s Work at Pontcysyllte be immediately advertized to be let by contract ...

Whereas a part of the parliamentary line near the intersection of the Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal and the River Perry in the Township of Whittington was cut but discontinued on a cut being made adjacent to the Woodhouse in the Township of Rednal for reasons decided on by the Committee and whereas the above part of the parliamentary line was paid for by the Rev John Robert Lloyd.  Now it is hereby orderedthat the expense of the said cutting shall be repaid to the said John Robert Lloyd the said John Robert Lloyd agreeing on his part that he will give whatever land may be wanted to widen a certain Road now a Bridle Road only to form communication between the said branch and the Turnpike Road near Whittington which leads from the Shrewsbury Road towards Chirk and the said part of the Canaland the said communication with the Shrewsbury and Chirk Turnpike Road shall be considered as part of the said Ellesmere Canal.  [Lloyd was at this meeting.]

5 February 1800	Ellesmere	John Hill  (5)

A very accurate and satisfactory Report from Mr William Jessop dated 24 January 1800 having been read at this meeting respecting the present state of the canal and the works which have already been executed and with his opinion as to the future progress of such works, It is ordered that the report be printed and distributed to the proprietors on the collection of the next call.

Following the public advertisement for compleating the Pillars and Abutments at Pontcysyllte and John Simpson of Shrewsbury having offered to execute the square Masonry at one shilling and two pence per cube foot and the Rubble Work at four shillings and nine pence per cube yard ... and this being the most adviseable offer for the Committee to accept [which implies it wasn’t the lowest] Simpson awarded the contract.

Exchange of land between Lady Dacre and Mr Humberston Crawley near the canal at Gwersyllt to be proceeded with.

9 April 1800	Ellesmere	Edward Rowland  (5)

Call of £5.

Subcommittee appointed to view the country between Ruabon and Holt and Ruabon and Rossett Green taking in also the connection with the Frood Branch and report to the next meeting their opinion respecting the most adviseable way of carrying a Rail Way which will be the most beneficial to this Company and advantageous to the public.  Any three of Sir Foster Cunliffe, Mr Yorke, Mr Rowland, Mr Parry and Mr Kirk.

It had been suggested to Mr Hill that some improvement may be made in the intended line from Whitchurch to the summit level of the Chester Canal.  Hill to consult any person acquainted with the situation of the country, and if he feels improvement may be made, Duncombe and Fletcher be asked to review their previous recommendation.  Further surveys authorised, to a maximum of 10 guineas.

23 May 1800	Ellesmere	John Hill (3)

Inquorate.

25 June 1800	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  (6)

John & William Collins proposing to erect a crane and to bring timber on to the canal between Llanymynech and Carreghofa.  Agreed at usual tonnage rates.

It is the opinion of this Committee that a variation of the line of the intended Canal from the Whitchurch Branch ... to the Chester Canal ... be examined and reported to the North of the present line as laid down in the plan so that the boundaries of Counties, Parishes and Townships be preserved as much as possible, viz from a point near Oakley Wood to another near Church Bridge and further down Eastward through Lord Cholmondley’s and Sir Robert Cotton’s property also from the same points to examine a line South of the present line to the South of Marbury.  Duncombe and Fletcher to survey; whatever they recommend, to be adopted.  [Note: no mention of Telford.]

Several gentlemen of considerable property in the town of Whitchurch have represented to the Committee that a part of the Whitchurch Branch from the Ellesmere Canal from the point of the proposed junction line with the Chester Canal (being about one mile distance) is not necessary for the accommodation of the town ofWhitchurch and that the omission of this part would save many thousand pounds to the proprietors of the Ellesmere Canal Company.   Ordered that the Whitchurch Branch of the Ellesmere Canal shall terminate at the point where the proposed line for connecting the Whitchurch Branch of the Ellesmere Canal with the Chester Canal is intended to join the Whitchurch Branch of the Ellesmere Canal.  [This is a surprising suggestion by these 'several gentlemen of considerable property’. John Knight and George Corser were on the Committee of the Ellesmere Canal and attended this meeting — Why didn't they say 'Rubbish!'] 

Somebody from Welshpool requesting to build a warehouse at Ellesmere.  Ordered that Mr Telford be desired to communicate with Mr Bird the Duke of Bridgewater’s Agent to know if his Grace proposes to erect a Warehouse there for general use and at what time.

Application to build a warehouse at Llanymynech: Telford to agree exact site.

Application having been received for liberty to erect a windmill upon the Company’s land at Ellesmere Port.  Ordered that Telford do fix upon a proper situation and make agreement with the proposers.

Messrs Rowland and Pickering having applied to this Committee for compensation for the expense of erecting their Patent Machine upon the Canal in the terms of the order of the Committee made 4th December 1794, It is Ordered that professional Men be consulted whether the Machine has been constructed in principle Materials and Execution so as to be likely to answer the purpose intended in its present situation and Mr Jessop and Mr Rennie having examined the Machine It is Ordered that Mr Potts do write to them desiring their opinion on the subject.  [But there will be a railway, not a canal, in that section.  Rowland was present at this meeting.]

3 September 1800	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  (6)

Mrs Coffield (Liverpool boats) hasn’t responded to the committee’s decision of last October.

Ordered that the Clerk to this Committee do send Messrs Rowland and Pickering copies of the orders of 4th December 1794 and 25th June 1800 relative to their Machine and of Messrs Rennie and Jessop’s report of the 11th August 1800 on that subject.

Telford to write to David Bird, the Duke of Bridgewater’s Agent, to know if his Grace intends to erect a Wharf on the side of the Whitchurch Branch of the Canal near to a place called the Ketchley’s[?] and that if his Grace declines erecting the same a Wharf shall be made there at the expense of the said Company.

26 November 1800	Ellesmere	John Hill  (5)

Mrs Coffield’s offer of £300 pa for navigating the passage boats from Ellesmere Port to Liverpool.  Conditions: a retiring room for ladies be provided; the passage boat is cleaned as soon as the passengers are discharged; and at least three sober steady and able men on board to navigate the boat.

Call of £5.

Arthur Davies to without delay view and value the lands taken for the Ellesmere Branch; if other engagements prevent this, he is requested to resign so that the Committee can appoint someone else.

... It is Ordered that the sum of £200 be paid ... to Messrs Rowland and Pickering towards the loss they have sustained in erecting the said Machine.  It appearing to this Committee that a sum of £800 and upwards has been expended by Messrs Rowland and Pickering in erecting such Machine and that after converting the material of the said Machine fo any other purpose there will be a loss of £400 and upwards ...

18 March 1801	Ellesmere	——

Inquorate; dealt with no business.

29 April 1801	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  (7)

From their own observations and information received from passengers on canal and R Mersey from Chester to Liverpool, of unnecessary delays, inadequate attention to accommodation, lack of cleanliness etc, committee decided to appoint Superintending Committee to investigate and report.

24 June 1801	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  (8)

Superintending Committee reported.  

Damages of £100+ done to the lock gates and canal entrance on 16 March by negligence of the crew of the ‘Viper’ a flat belonging to Messrs Manley & Co.  Because of the amount of tonnage they pay, agree to accept £50.  Telford & Duncombe to bring forward a plan and estimate for ‘repairing and preserving’ the entrance works at Ellesmere Port.

Public house at Ellesmere Port to be advertised for lease.

Lower dock gates of the Chester Canal to be repaired or replaced.

Duncombe to report to the next meeting at what expense of supply of water may be brought into the Chester Canal in the course of [the new] junction line and whether any compensations and to what amount will be requisite to be made to any persons who may be deprived of any water by means of such supply being carried into the Chester Canal.

Call of £5.

It having been represented to this Committee by several persons concerned in Collieries on the Ruabon side of Pontcysyllte that it would be for the advantage of this concern to proceed immediately in making a railway from Pontcysyllte thro’ the Acre Fair Collieries and to the Ponkey[?] Colliery in the parish of Ruabon and that the persons concerned in such collieries would be willing to pay a tonnage not exceeding 1½d per ton per mile upon such railway as an inducement to the Company immediately to make the same until the passage over Pontcysyllte shall be completed  and to agree that all the Coals brought along the said railway shall afterwards be carried on the said canal on the south side of Pontcysyllte.  It is Ordered that the persons concerned in the said Collieries be informed that this Committee are willing to receive and take into consideration at their next meeting any proposals the persons concerned in the said collieries may think proper to to make to them upon that subject such proposal to specify the terms of the Engagement the coalowners are willing to lay themselves under and the names of the persons and the extent of Coal property intended to be affected thereby.

8 July 1801	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  (10)

It having been represented to this committee by several of the coal owners concerned in the Acrefair and Ponkey[?] Collieries and other colleries in the parish of Ruabon that it will be greatly for the advantage of this concern if the clause of exemption contained in the Act ... was repealed exempting boats ... laden with coal, coak, culm, lime or limestone which may pass ... any part of the said canal between Pontcysyllte and the upper end of the Cegedog Valley near Brumbo provided such boat ... shall pass ... with the same lading ten miles at the least along any other part of the said canal ... and shall pay tonnage after the rates in the said Act mentioned for such ten miles at the least ..., It is ordered ... that the necessary steps be taken by the solicitors to this Company for obtaining an Act of Parliament as early in the ensuing Session of Parliament as possible for repealing the clause before mentioned and that as soon as the said Act is obtained It is the opinion of this Committee that this Company should proceed with all possible dispatch in laying down a Railway from Pontcysyllte to the Ponkey Collieries.

23 September 1801

Ordered that Potts do settle bill of Messrs Samuel & Richard Hill amounting to £102.2s for wine sent to Ellesmere for use of this Committee at their meetings after deducting such discount as is usually allowed ...

Land issues: Mrs Vaughan (White Mere / Black Mere); Messrs Boydell, Onions, Paddy & Smith (coal works near Frood Branch).

Samuel Ackerley to rent Ellesmere Canal Tavern and packet boats for £1,000 a year for two years.  Various detailed conditions.

Ordered that John Fletcher be employed immediately to cut canal from Church Bridge, Norbury, to the north end of Wrenbury Common upon the terms of his proposal ... and to leave it to this Committee either to pay him for the work when done on a valuation to be made by two indifferent persons or by a third person or umpire if the first two named disagree, or to agree upon a specific sum ... and it is referred to Hill, Knight, Corser, Rowland, Parry, Kirk and Dod, or any two of them, to treat with Mr Fletcher ...

25 November 1801	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  (11)

Upon reading the Report of John Hill, John Knight and George Corser ... on the subject of cutting the canal from Church Bridge near Norbury to the North End of Wrenbury Common ... and it appearing by the said Report that it would not be advisable ... to have that part of the said canal ... cut at present ...and the amount of damages which would be done thereby to several Mills upon the River Weaver and to lockage of the said River from Winsford Bridge to Frodsham Bridge ... in consequence of taking the water from the brooks at the south west end thereof would be more than the said John Fletcher could undertake to pay and that without such payment being made by him [presumably, that is, by the Chester Canal] this Company would be liable ... to an almost incalculate amount of Damages and to various Disputes with the owners of the said Mills and other persons, It is therefore the opinion of this Committee that the conditional order or proposal made at the last meeting ... shall not be further proceeded upon  and that Mr John Fletcher shall have immediate Notice of this order and shall be repaid for any materials he may have provided or expenses he may have been at ...

The stream running out of White Mere: It had been thought that the streqm belonged to another landowner, not Mrs Vaughan.  The watercourse is to be restored to its original channel and Mrs Vaughan compensated.

Council’s opinion to be taken concerning a legal notice dated 13 November 1801 by the Montgomeryshire Canal Company.

In considering the different estimates of the expense of making a Canal or Railway across the Aqueduct at Pontcysyllte and receiving the opinions of the Engineers and Agents of this Company ... it is the opinion of this Committee that it will be for the interest of this Company to make a canal across the said Aqueduct in preference to a Railway and it is therefore ordered that the General Agent to this Company do make out the necessary Drawings and Specifications for making and compleating a Canal across the said Aqueduct and do advertise for proposals from persons willing to undertake the same ... and it is further ordered that the Banks of the Canal at each end of the said intended Aqueduct shall be formed in such manner as to be adapted to such Aqueduct when compleated.

Recommendation to General Assembly to obtain an Act with powers to raise up to £67,000 being the sum requisite to make up the amount of the original Estimate for making the said Canal.

Ordered that the Canal on the Whitchurch side of Wicksall Moss shall in the first instance be compleated towards a place called Park or Tilstock Park ...

Call of £5.

12 January 1802	Ellesmere	John Hill  (8)

Concerning the proposed Bill.  Several provisions based on those in the recent Peak Forest Canal Act.

17 March 1802	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  (6)

Mr William Hazledine of Shrewsbury having proposed to execute the Cast Iron Work at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the following terms (viz) The Castings at £11 per ton, The Wrought Iron at 8d per pound [ie £74.13s.4d per ton] and being allowed £30 for Cast Iron Keys to connect the plates of the Aqueduct over an above the price of £11 per ton upon the whole weight and to perform the work in every respect according to the conditions and specifications now produced and signed by the said William Hazledine ... this Committee accept of the proposal ...  Two sureties in the sum of £2,500 each.

26 May 1802	Ellesmere	Sir Foster Cunliffe  (9)

Reconsideration of cutting the canal between Church Bridge near Whitchurch and the north end of Wrenbury Common.  Request to Chester Canal Co for their Chairman, Agent or Engineer to attend the next meeting on 30 June.

Ordered that a weighing machine and a temporary coal wharf and yard shall be made and erected at or near the south end of Pontcysyllte Embankment and that a proper person be employed ...

Wirral Sub-committee to meet River Dee Company to discuss swivel or swing bridge at the entrance to the Dee.

30 June 1802	Ellesmere	John Hill  (5)

Ordered that a Railway be laid down from the intended termination of the canal near Pontcysyllte to Ruabon Brook and that a plan and specification be immediately prepared and advertised.  To be completed within two years.

As Mr Corser and Mr Knight not present, consideration of the link with the Chester Canal deferred to the next meeting.  [No mention of whether anyone from the Chester Canal present.]

Continuation of Committee meeting after General Assembly meeting:  Call of £5.

4 August 1802	Ellesmere	Rowland Hunt  (8)

[Corser & Knight still not present.]  On considering previous reports and minutes and on reading a ... resolution of the Chester Canal Committee of 22 June 1801 [note: not 1802] ... and from the answers given to this Committee by the agent or engineer of the Chester Canal Committee ... and if a proper security can be given by the Chester Canal Company either in their corporate capacity or by some of the proprietors of the said concern individually for the payment of the interest of the whole money to be expended in the making and cutting of the said canal  and also for the indemnifying this company from all claims from mill owners and land owners or others on that account and in case the Chester Canal Company will waive all expectation of any abatement out of the interest of the money to be so expended by this company on account of the supposed advantage to the Wirral Line of the said Ellesmere Canal from the additional supply of water expected to be derived by means of the immediate cutting of that part of the said canal ... then it will be adviseable and proper to enter into an agreement with the Chester Canal Company whereby this company shall undertake on the beforementioned terms to make and execute as soon as may be that part of the said canal between Church Bridge and the north end of Wrenbury Common and to expend a sum of money not exceeding £5,000 therein whereon interest is from time to time to be paid by the Chester Canal Company on each £500 so expended as soon as laid out for the term of four years from the respective times of expenditure of each £500 for that purpose and it appearing to this committee on full consideration of the subject that the laying out of the said sum of £5,000 is not likely to impede or interfere with the carrying on of the other works upon the said Ellesmere Canal and that proceeding to cut or make the said canal ... at present will not accelerate the making or cutting thereof above two or three years previous to the time when this company would according to the Ellesmere Canal Act ... be obliged to make and cut the same ...

Reguations to be made concerning the packet boats to and from Ellesmere Port on the River Mersey.

Agreed to make swivel bridge and road from it round the Chester Canal Basin.

1 October 1802	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  (7)

Ordered that if any person or persons shall use indecent language or in any respect behave offensively to passengers in Ellesmere Canal Packet Boats navigating between Chester and Whitby Port, the Captain of the Packet is to turn out any such offenders ...

24 November 1802	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  (7 before GA; 8 after)

Duncombe’s plan for swivel bridge at Chester estimated to cost £247, ‘common swivel bridge’ £148.  Sub-committee to consider raising the present bridge and report back.

Supply of water to the Wirral line last year cost over £500.  Sub-committee to investigate how this could be reduced.

Heavy bales of goods to be carried in flats not in packet boats.

Tonnage rates to be recommended to the General Assembly.

Draft agreement with Chester Canal Company to be submitted to the General Assembly for confirmation.  Telford instructed to prepare a specification and enter into a contract for compleating the line from Church Bridge and the north end of Wrenbury Common, either by valuation after the work is completed or a specific sum for the whole work.

Continuation after General Assembly:  Call of £5.

9 February 1803	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  (9)

On reading a letter and several statements submitted to the consideration of this committee by Benjamin Benyon Esq and on considering the Report made by the General Agent of this Company from the last General Assembly to the Proprietors at large respecting the state of the concern and the application of a sufficient sum of money for the immediate completion of the works still remaining unfinished, this committee are of the opinion that the General Agent of this Company has in the said report fully and strongly expressed the sentiments of the General Assembly and of this Committee as to the expediency of proceeding in the said works “with the greatest rapidity” in the following words contained in the said report (viz) “The Committee have ever been fully aware that the sooner the works are compleated the sooner the total quantity of tonnage will be brought upon the whole of the Lines and they are personally desirous of proceeding with the utmost speed that prudence will justify” and that the paragraph in the said Report respecting that part of the said canal which extends from Weston Wharf to Shrewsbury also contains the sentiments of this Committee on the subject and this committee are of the opinion that the canal from Weston Wharf to Shrewsbury should be executed as soon as the same can be prudently done but that those parts of the canal which are likely to be most immediately profitable ought to precede the execution of the line from Weston Wharf to Shrewsbury which part could not be productive of any considerable advantage either to the company or the public unless those parts which are to be the means of bringing coals lime and commercial goods to Weston Wharf be first executed but this Committee have never entertained any intention of deserting or of delaying the execution of the line from Weston Wharf to Shrewsbury when it can be done consistently with the duty of this Committee to the proprietors at large and the agricultural and commercial interests of the country.

Ordered that the Rail Road from Pontcysyllte to Ruabon shall be proceeded upon with all convenient dispatch and that the General Agent of this Company do take measures to form the Road and that an advertisement be inserted in the Shrewsbury and Chester Newspapers for making and delivering the Iron Rails and that the same shall be laid down under the directions of the said General Agent, and that the plan of the Rails and Road and of the Waggons be referred to Mr Telford’s consideration.

Agreement with Chester Canal Co and its mortgagees finalised.

13 April 1803	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  (7)

Of the proprietors who responded in writing to the question about the number of calls a year, 314 proprietors holding 1,103 shares prefer not more than two calls a year; 58 with 228 shares prefer three calls a year; 25 with 104 shares prefer four calls a year; a great number of other proprietors who hold shares to a considerable amount have declined to give  any opinion and have desired the General Committee ... to exercise their discretion.  
    It is therefore the opinion of this Committee that they shall act most conformably to the general sentiments of the proprietors ans shall best consult their interests by continuing to make two calls yearly and that it is not at present advisable to raise money by any other means.  
    Benyon to be told that the apparently large balance in hand is because the last call has recently been paid in and that this is the commencement of the season when the works are carried on to the greatest extent it is necessary to provide a proper fund for that purpose ... and that a considerable sum which would have been expended on the line of junction ... has not been laid out in consequence of the indisposition of the contractor for executing part of that line but that the same will be now immediately proceeded in.

Maesbury Old Mill to be purchased.

29 June 1803	Ellesmere	Powell (11)

Recommend to General Assembly to apply to Parliament for:
(1)  Power to take water from the river Dee above Llangollen by a proper canal or feeder to be extended from thence to Pontcysyllte (in case Sir Watkin Williams Wynn shall consent thereto ...) by the embankment or drawing off the ~~ of Pimble Mere or Bala  pool for returning into the antient channel of the River Dee the same quantity of water as shall appear by a guage [sic] to be taken out of the said river for the purpose of the said summit or Pontcysyllte Level.
(2)  Increase the tonnage on burnt lime.
(3)  Powers to improve the line of the intended railway from the bason ... through the different collieries to the south west side of Ruabon Brook near the Dwellinghouse of Mr John Kenrick in the parish of Ruabon.

Nomination of committee members to settle compensation claims from millers and mill-owners upon the River Perry and Morda Brook.

Ordered survey of a line which has been proposed for the canal from the Whitchurch Branch near White Mere towards Shrewsbury in order to avoid if possible the Tunnel at Weston Lullingfield and the extra lockage, deep cutting and embankments which would be requisite to complete the Parliamentary line.

The company trading between Chester and Manchester had asked to take the warehouses and buildings at the new bason at the north end of Tower Wharf, Chester, at cost, and to relinquish their agreement for lower tonnage on the Wirral Branch.  Costs to be ascertained; consider at next meeting.

Ordered that the Whitchurch Branch ...which has hitherto been ordered to be completed from Tilstock Park to the road leading from Whitchurch to Wrexham shall be further extended to the turnpike road leading from Chester to Whitchurch.  Contract awarded to John Hughes of Walton le Dale, Lancashire, and William Hughes of Northop, Flintshire, for £6,889, in accordance with ThomasDenson’s specification.

Permission given to John Roe to erect a wharf and warehouses on the west side of that road.  [That is, at Grindley Brook.] 

Continuation after General Assembly: Ordered that the salary of John Duncombe as Engineer to this Company shall cease from the time the said John Duncombe left the service of the Company and that Thomas Denson be appointed Engineer to this company at a salary of £150 to commence from the time of the said John Duncombe quitting.

Call of £5.

27 July 1803	Ellesmere	Powell  (6)
 
Meeting to be held with Sir Watkin Williams Wynn or his nominee at Bala Pool.

White Mere to Shrewsbury: ... it being in the recollection of several of this Committee that a variation of the said line was frequently considered and examined for several months at an early period of this undertaking and that the present line from Weston Lullingfield to Shrewsbury was on due examination and with the advice of Mr Jessop the Engineer then employed by this Company determined to be preferred and also that such determination was duly noticed to the Inhabitants and Landowners upon and near to that line and also to the Inhabitants of the Town of Shrewsbury who have made several dispositions of property in consequence of such determination [the Committee] are of the opinion that unless the benefit arising to the proprietors of this Undertaking from the proposed variation should be very considerable and clearly evident on a very exact and mature examination of the several lines that the present line already ascertained by Parliament should be adhered to but that an accurate survey should be made of the several lines and Mr Telford the General Agent and Engineer of this Company having declared that he has since the last meeting examined generally the newly proposed line but owing to the crops on the ground and the present impediments to taking regular surveys and levels and the necessary points to be considered he could by no means ascertain a point of so much importance and take the steps necessary to be taken previously to an application to Parliament now intended to be applied for
     It is therefore ordered that the Agents and Engineers of this Company do proceed as soon as the crops now upon the Ground shall be got off to make proper surveys and levels as well of the present Parliamentary Line from Weston Lullingfield to Shrewsbury as of the several other Lines proposed to be adopted in lieu thereof and that a comparative statement of all the said lines shall be submitted to the consideration of the General Committee of this Company.  [Note the reference to Jessop as ‘our Engineer then employed’ and to Telford as ‘General Agent and Engineer’ although John Duncombe had been appointed ‘Engineer’ at the previous meeting.]

Wharf and timber yard to be set out on the west side of the canal at Chester.

Not agreed to sell warehouses and buildings at Chester to the company trading between Manchester and Chester.

Proper sheds to be erected at Whitby for the reception of luggage brought by the different packet boats.

The Ellesmere Canal Tavern and two packet boats on the Wirral branch to be leased to Samuel Ackerley for a further year on the current terms; rebate if canal not passable because of frost.  Mrs Elizabeth Coffield to continue leasing the Mersey Packet Boats for a year.

Ordered that as soon as the approaching harvest is over, accurate working plans ans sections shall be made of those parts of the line of junction between the Whitchurch Branch and the Chester Canal which have not yet been agreed and proper specifications drawn up.

Ordered that the Clerk to this Committee do compare Mr William Turner’s account done now delivered in by him with the Committee Order Books and other papers now in his hands and deliver his opinion to this Committee at their next meeting.

26 October 1803	Ellesmere	Powell  (8)

Grindley Brook to the Chester Canal: contract made with John Fletcher and John Simpson for £22,750.  Four other firms had tendered; their expenses were reimbursed.

Up to fifty men who had been employed by the Company digging the deep cutting at Tilstock Park to be transferred to the Prees armbetween the wharf near Mr Rhodenhurst’s house in Whixall towards Edstaston.

Priorities: Pontcysyllte Aqueduct; the line to procure water from Bala Pool; the line from Weston Lullingfield to Shrewsbury; the line from Grindley Brook to the Chester Canal.  It is ordered that Mr Jessop be directed to inspect the whole of the lines and works on the Ellesmere Canal and particularly the points above mentioned and to read a written report to the committee containing his opinion and advice as to their future progress.  [So Committee thinks Jessop still involved!  However, no later mention of any report, though Jessop did give evidence in Parliament in 1804 on the ellesmere Canal Bill.]

Payments for taking water from mills.

30 November 1803	Ellesmere	Hill  (11)

More mill compensation payments.

Reduction of tolls for coal on the Wirral branch recommended.

Continued after General Assembly meeting: Instruction to write to people in arrears with their calls.

Call of £5.

22 February 1804	Ellesmere	Hill  (7)

Ordered that Telford give directions for building of six boats of 70ft length for navigation of Whitchurch branch.

18 April 1804	Ellesmere	Powell  (7)

The proposal made by the Ellesmere Canal Company to Sir Watkin Williams Wynn Baronet for preserving the water in Bala Pool one foot higher on the surface than it usually falls to in the dry weather in summer by means of a regulating Weir near Bala Bridge, and the proposal of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn that an annual rent of one pound one shilling shall be paid by the Company for the liberty of taking such water the Company making a Grate or Grates at the sluices to prevent the Fish in the pool escaping and Sir Watkin Williams Wynn having the right of fishing at the Weir, having been laid before this Committee, this Committee approve of the above terms, and do hereby order that a proper Deed be prepared ...
    Sir WWW thanked for the attention he has paid to the concern being convinced that [his] favour and patronage must have the most beneficial effect on the Commerce of the Counties through which the Ellesmere Canal passes, and on the interest of the Canal itself as a means of facilitating that Commerce.

Bring actions against shareholders in arrears.

Ordered that the Clerk to the Committee do immediately apply to the Chester Canal Company by letter to put their canal in a proper state of repair so that the locks, lock gates and other parts of the Chester Canal be in a perfect condition by 25th March next when it is expected that the branch from Whitchurch to join the Chester Canal at Nantwich will be completed.

The Proprietors at the Special General Assembly held at Shrewsbury on the 11th inst having expressed a wish that the Works of the Canal and particularly the Line from Whitchurch to Nantwich should be completed with all possible dispatch and at an earlier period than the 25th day of December when Messrs Fletcher & Simpson have by their Contract with this Committee agreed to complete the same.  And this Committee being assured that the Chester Canal Company will immediately proceed to put the Canal in a perfect State of Repair and their being a probability that the water will be brought to the summit level of the Canal at Pontcysylltee by the 24th June 1805.  This Committee thinking it will be for the general interest of the Company that the Whitchurch Branch of the canal should be completed by 24th June 1805 have proposed to Messrs Fletcher & Simpson to pay them a sum not exceeding £1,400 for their extraordinary exertions and additional trouble and expense in completing the Whitchurch Branch by this date.

13 June 1804	Ellesmere	Powell (5)

Adjourned.

27 June 1804	Ellesmere	John Kynaston Powell  (13)

Ordered that Sir Foster Cunliffe, Richard Kirk and James Adam be appointed a committee to meet Sir Thomas Broughton, Daniel Aldersey and Mr Dickson ... to treat upon the terms on which a Union of the Ellesmere and Chester Canals may be effected , the meeting to take place on July 6th next at the Canal Tavern, Chester.

Ordered that the General Agent of this Company do proceed upon the Water Line and Feeder from Pontcysyllte to Llandisilio as soon as the Act which has passed both Houses of Parliament shall heve received the Royal Assent.

Ordered that the thanks of the Committee be given to the Earl of Bridgewater for his attention and exertions for the interest of this Company in obtaining an Act of Parliament during the present session for securing a supply of water for the Ellesmere Canal and for other purposes.

This committee having examined the various plans, and reconsidered the different reports and estimates of continuing the Canal towards Shrewsbury, whether by the present Parliamentary line or otherwise, for the better information of the Committee, and with the intention of executing the line of communication which may be thought on mature deliberation most advisable have ordered the said reports and estimates this day read, to be printed, and copies sent to each Member of this Committee, and to any of the Proprietors who may apply for the same.

Demand by Mrs Whitby of Gwersilt for damage to land referred to Frood Sub-Committee.

Call of £5.

12 September 1804	Ellesmere	Powell (8)

Ordered that Mr Thomas Denson shall before the next meeting of this Committee mark[?] and stake out precisely the course of the proposed railroad from Pontcysyllte to Ruabon Brook.

14 November 1804	Ellesmere	Powell  (9)

Counsel’s opinion to be sought on whether the Company is obliged to pay a royalty to the Lord of the Manor for any stone taken from any quarry or lands newly opened for the purposes of the canal.

Report of Sub-committee on the proposed union.  This Company proposed that the Ellesmere Canal stock should be considered as 4,000 shares of £100 each; that this Company should purchase the Chester Canal and should give them 1,000 shares of £100 each in the Ellesmere Canal ... and take over all the debts not exceeding £4,000 and all the repairs.  This proposal was rejected by the Chester Canal Company who by their Committee stated that the Chester Canal Co expected 1,300 shares of £100 each in the Ellesmere canal.  The Committee of this Company not thinking themselves authorized to consent to the proposal of the Chester Canal company, the further proceedings were suspended until the sentiments of the General Committee of this Company could be known.  
    This General Committee having taken into consideration the before mentioned proposals made by Sir Foster Cunliffe, Mr Kirk and Mr Adam do approve of the same and are of the opinion that the offer made to the Chester Canal Company is a full and adequate consideration ...  Directed that negotiations shall continue open until 28th November.

Ordered that Mr Hazledine be contracted with to provide and deliver at the proposed Railway from the Bason at Pontcysyllte to Ruabon Brook the castings for a double railway at lengths of one yard each and not to exceed the weight of forty pounds each at the rate of eleven pounds per ton, and that he be allowed such compensation for laying down such Railway as shall be thought proper by Mr Kirk, Mr Rowland and Mr Telford, and Mr Hazledine is to support the said Railway for one year from the time of its being laid down except any breakage that may be occasioned by carriages crossing the said railway, no single waggon used on the said Railway and the lading thereof to exceed two tons weight.

Call of £5.

RAIL827/3

28 November 1804	Ellesmere	John Hill  (10)

The Committee having taken into consideration the Resolutions entered into by Chester Canal at their meeting on 26th inst are of opinion that a junction of that Canal with the Ellesmere Canal on proper terms would be a mutual advantage but they do not think themselves justified ... to exceed the terms proposed by this Committee ... and it is hoped that Company will ... take proper measures for putting the Chester Canal into immediate repair, the expense of which repairs if judiciously executed will be taken into consideration in case any agreement for uniting the interests of the two Companies shall take place.

13 February 1805	Ellesmere	Hunt (7)

Letter from Samuel Galton, Chairman of the Birmingham Canal Company about the general exemption arising on all canals from payment of parish rates.

Arrears of calls: recovery to be enforced by legal action.

Alterations in tonnages.

13 March 1805	Ellesmere	Hill (7)

Further call of £3%.  [This was the final call permitted.]  Action on arrears.

Ordered that the General Agent do make up an account to 25th March of the interest of the money expended on the line of junction ..., and that the sum which shall appear to be due shall be demanded from the Chester Canal Co pursuant to the terms of the agreement with their Company.

12 June 1805	Ellesmere	Hill  (6)

Letter from Joseph Fenna requesting that certain common lands and other lands taken for the canal on the Whitchurch branch may be immediately paid for and his account for surveying and other business relating to the value of such lands.   Committee willing to settle former but not latter.

Recommended amendment to tonnage on burnt lime.

Wharf and buildings at Tilstock to be let on the best rent to William Dudleston for him to erect kilns or other buildings.  If Company resume possession, to be done at reasonable value.

A bill has been introduced by Mr White, owner of Rock Ferry, for erecting piers on both sides of the Mersey, which are likely to impede the navigation between Ellesmere Port and Liverpool.  Agreed to oppose.

26 June 1805	Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater  (18)

Reference back to a resolution of 17 January 1794 concerning a possible deviation of the Llanymynech Branch.  [Decision not decipherable!]

Report of General Agent about the state of the concern and about income & expenditure: referred to Earl of Bridgewater and others for examination and adjustment before circulation to proprietors.

29 June 1805	Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater  (6)

It having been represented to this committee by Rowland Hunt Esq one of the members of the committee and a Trustee for the Turnpike Road from Burlton in the County of Salop [~to?~] Llanymynech in the same county that in the year 1796 he the said Rowland Hunt stated to a General Committee of this Company at a Meeting when John Wilkinson Esq was in the Chair that the Tolls at Knockin Gate upon the said road were likely to be diminished by reason of the Carriage of Coal and Lime upon the said canal and it now appearing by an account of the Tolls produced by the said Rowland Hunt and confirmed by Henry Bowman Esq the treasurer of the said Tolls that the same have been considerably diminished since the above date and that several of the creditors upon the said Road being Trustees for public Charities to the amount in the whole of two hundred and forty four pounds their security is therefore reduced and the said Rowland Hunt and Henry Bowman, having applied to this Committee for an allowance out of the Income of the said Canal for reimbursing to the Trustees of the said Road the deficiency which has arisen in the Tolls at the said Turnpike Gate as far as relates to the securities to the Trustees of the said Charities.  
    It is ordered by this committee that it shall be and hereby is referred to Sir Foster Cunliffe Baronet, John Hill, Robert Clarke, John Edwards and Joseph Lee Esqs being five members of this General Committee or any three of them to enquire into the circumstances, before stated and report their opinion thereon to a future meeting of the General Committee of the said Company.

Warehouse to be built at Maesbury Marsh sufficient for two carriers who are to pay a reasonable rent.

Recommendations made about tonnages for grain and commercial goods.

Powis Estate requesting compensation for wastes and lands taken within the parishes of Oswestry and St Martins.  Resolved: The Company are ready to make compensation to the Trustees of Lord Powis for the soil of the commons or waste grounds ... if they will accept a compensation for the soil only and permit the compensation for the right of common to be paid to the Overseers of the poor ...

All general and standing orders for the direction and governance of the canal to be entered into a separate book.

Ordered that no person being a servant of or receiving any salary from this company be concerned either directly or indirectly in any trade or commercial concern in this or any other canal or as a contractor for any works in or upon or concerning the same and that he do not hold or [~~] directly or indirectly any share or shares in any canal or navigation except in the Ellesmere Canal unless by an express permission from the General Committee.

Ordered that the Earl of Bridgewater, Sir Foster Cunliffe Baronet, John Kynaston Powell, John Hill, Rowland Hunt, John Edwards and Robert Clarke Esq or any two of them be a select committee for the management of the concerns of this Company in the intervals of the General Committee to which they will from time to time report their proceedings.

31 July 1805 	Ellesmere	Cunliffe

Sir Robert Salisbury[?] Cotton to be permitted to carry coal and lime across the towing path near Wrenbury to a kiln or kilns he is about to erect there, providing the towing path not impeded.  General Agent to agree site of kilns.

Mr William Turner having on behalf of himself and several other inhabitants of the town of Whitchurch applied to this Committee for permission to extend the Whitchurch Branch ... from the embankment at the New Mills ... to Sherryrnan’s Bridge ... 
    It is ordered that Mr Denson shall immediately make a plan and section of the said proposed extension and deliver a copy to Mr Turner and that the parties making such application shall be. ..authorised to make such extension under the powers of the Act some time since obtained for that purpose and that the Clerk. ..shall prepare an agreement. ..as to the execution of said extension and the application of the tolls arising therefrom and also as to the remuneration to be made to the parties making such extension in case the said company should wish to take possession of the said line. ..any time within ten years from the completion of the said extension ... 

Following representations from Mr Downward and Mr William Turner, wharfs to be laid out at Grindley Brook.

Report of Subcommittee (which met at Boreatton):  It appearing to this Committee that on July 12th 1805 A Sub-Committee viz. John Hill Esq MP, John Edwards Esq, Joseph Lee Esq and Robert Clarke Esq did in pursuance of an order made at the last Meeting of this Committee meet at Boreatton and did examine the state of the accounts of the Treasurer and of the Surveyors of the two Divisions of the Llanymynech Turnpike road.  And the said Sub-Committee having reported to this Meeting that they found the accounts of the Trust correctly kept and of the said Turnpike road, that due attention appeared to have been made to the road and also Extra sums by subscription and otherwise to have been laid out on the said Turnpike road, that the renewed Act for making and maintaining the said road took place in June 1792 only about four months preceding the meeting held for receiving subscriptions for the said Ellesmere Canal.  That it appeared to them that Rowland Hunt Esq had, under the idea that the said road would be unavoidably injured by the making of the said Canal in the earliest State of the Ellesmere Canal stated the Case of the said Turnpike road and also as he hath this day made affidavit that in the year 1796 previous to an application to Parliament on behalf of the said Company, Mr Hunt desired to know of John Wilkinson Esq the Chairman of a General Committee of the said Company “What consideration or indemnity should be proposed to the Trustees of the said road.”  That the said Chairman gave the following answer to which Committee assented “That the Ellesmere Canal Company would become the renters of the Toll Gate at Knockin and thus secure the interest of the concern” or words to that effect which was understood to mean at the [~sum?~] at which the Tolls then let.  And that appeared to the said Sub-Committee that in the years 1796, 1797 and 1798 inclusive the Tolls of the said Gate were let for one hundred and fifteen pounds and that for the years 1803, 4 and 5 they have let for the sum of eighty one pounds only making the difference of thirty four pounds.
    And this Committee, having taken the said report into consideration and being of Opinion that it is equitable that a compensation should be made to the Trustees of the said road for such diminution of their Tolls which it appears has been occasioned by the making of the said Canal It is ordered by this Committee that it be recommended to the next General Assembly of the said Company to direct that two several sums of one hundred and thirty pounds and one hundred and fourteen pounds now secured by the bonds of the Trustees of the said road the former sum being due to the Churchwardens of the Parish of Baschurch in the County of Salop and the latter to the Trustees of the School for the education of poor children whose parents reside in the same parish but are not legally settled there shall be paid by the said Company with interest in the meantime at the rate now paid for the same.  It being understood that such payment is to be taken as a full compensation to the said Trustees for all injury done to the said road by the making of such Canal.

30 October 1805 	Ellesmere	Hunt  (7)

Arrears of subscriptions in June 1805 were £14,069; £6,300 collected since then.

Mr William Turner attended re Whitchurch Branch.  Ordered that a proposal in writing to be signed by the parties proposing to advance the money for completing this undertaking ... be delivered to this Committee at the next meeting for their approbation previously to the same being laid before the General Assembly. 

27 November 1805 	Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater  (15)

Question whether Ellesmere Canal Company had authority to delegate the powers over their Acts to make the extension.  It was unanimously resolved that the Company had no such authority. 

Joseph Lee and Robert Clarke reported that they had examined Potts & Leeke’s bills from the time the appointed (1793) and the charges appeared proper and reasonable.  Also that the money they have dealt with had been duly applied and accounted for.  Question about whether the bankers ever paid £449.18s.10d due to P&L.  They considered the three guineas a day for the attendance of Potts, Leeke and Potts and one guinea per day for their clerk (plus travelling expenses) a proper allowance.  Committee agreed their salaries be paid up to 1 October 1805 and then cease, and stated that Messrs Potts, Leeke and Potts are entitled to the approbation and thanks ... for the care, attention and ability with which they have conducted the concerns of this Company.

Recommendations about tonnages.

Engineer of the Montgomeryshire Canal to be given notice of proposed stoppages, and vice versa.

Henry Bowman to act as valuer in determining compensation to mill-owners.

5 March 1806	Ellesmere	Hunt  (11)

This committee having taken into consideration a statement produced by the General Agent of the Company of the works now in hand and of the demands upon and the balances now due and the disposable property belonging to the Company and being convinced that it is of the utmost importance to the interests of the concern that some parts of such works now remaining unfinished and particularly the Water line from Pontcysyllte to the River Dee should be carried on with the greatest possible expedition and finding that the Tolls and other Funds  of the company will not enable them to proceed therewith with sufficient celerity is of the opinion that proper means should be resorted to for the purpose of raising a supply of money for the immediate progress of such Works and the payment of the pressing demands upon the Company And it is ordered that it shall be recommended to the General Assembly of the Company to authorize the General Committee to sell such parts of the disposable property of the Company consisting of Lands, Houses, Warehouses, Boats and other Effects mentioned in an Inventory or Schedule produced to this meeting as can be disposed of prudently and with due attention to the interests of the company as soon as the same can be done.
               of £15,000 over and above the sum of £10,000 which Messrs Eyton, Wilkinson and Company of Shrewsbury have agreed to advance on the security of the Tolls of the said canal and that such sum of £15,000 can be raised only by optional notes.  It is therefore ordered that it be also recommended to the General Meeting of the said Company to raise the said £15,000 by promissory notes under the common seal  of the said Company at such rate not being less than seventy pounds for each share of £133 of the principal stock of the said Company as the General Committee of this Company shall be able to procure the same the rate or terms of raising the same to be fixed at the next  meeting of the said Committee to be held on the second day of April next with Interest after the rate of five pounds per centum on the money advanced the holders of such notes having an option of being admitted at any time within three years of the date thereof to hold a share in the public stock of the said company in lieu of the principal money to be secured by each such note.  And it is further ordered that it shall be recommended to the said General Assembly of the said company to authorize the said committee or their general agent to apply by letter to the proprietors in general of the said canal with an offer of such notes or securities to them and to divide such notes impartially amongst the proprietors applying for the same in case a greater number shall be applied for than are proposed to be issued.
    Messrs Eyton Wilkinson and Company the Treasurer of this Company having proposed to give credit to the Company for a balance not exceeding £10,000 for the space of eighteen months from this time at the usual commission and allowance of Interest (viz.) by charging five pounds per cent on the money paid out by the Bankers and allowing four pounds per cent on the money paid in to them and charging a commission of one eighth per cent on the Debtor side of the account to be made up half yearly.  It is ordered that it shall be recommended to the General Assembly to be held this day to direct a Mortgage of the Rates and Tolls arising from the said Canal to be executed under the seal of the said Company to the said Treasurers for the sum of £10,000 for securing to them the balance of the account which may be due on the above Terms.

Solicitors to write to Mrs Coffield to ensure due accommodation and attendance on the Whitby–Liverpool boats.

General Agent or Solicitors to write to Chester Canal Company stressing that the greatest care should be taken to prevent any waste of water.  It is hoped that proper lock keepers will be appointed and side pounds made.

2 April 1806	Ellesmere	Powell  (8)

Consideration of business adjourned.  [No reason given — the meeting was quorate.]

30 April 1806	Ellesmere	Rowland  (6)

Further consideration of the plan for raising £15,000 deferred.

11 June 1806	Ellesmere	Hill  (4)

Reported that Earl of Bridgewater was willing to make a temporary loan.  General Assembly on 25 June to deal with the matter of loans.

25 June 1806 	Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater  (15)

Ordered that the Chester Canal Company be immediately applied to for payment of the Interest due ...

Ordered that Mrs Parry be applied to for payment of the £350 deposited by this Company with the late John Parry Esq as a recompence for the injury which it was supposed his property would sustain by the Canal being carried thro’ Gwersilt and Gresford.  and that a Bond be executed ... to the said Mrs Parry in the penalty of £500 to be paid ... in case the Ellesmere Canal Company should at any time hereafter carry the said Canal through the property of Mrs Parry ...

Committee appointed to audit the accounts of John Bishop Esq late Treasurer of this Company.  And that Mr Telford be desired to attend such committee during their examination of such Accounts.

William Hazledine empowered to treat wth mill-owners claiming compensation.

Samuel Turner attended. Plans and sections for the extension to Whitchurch to be made in July or August. 

9 July 1806	Royal Oak, Ellesmere	Hunt  (5)

Of the £15,000 intended to be raised by optional notes, £12,400 has been raised so far.  Mr Stanton to write to proprietors who have not yet subscribed.

Ordered that Mr Thomas Stanton the Agent of this Company do under the direction of Rowland Hunt Esq the Chairman of the Sub-Committee of this Company draw upon the Bankers of this Company for such Money as Mr Stanton may from time to time want for carrying on the Works of this Company.    [The first time that Stanton was referred to as ‘Agent’ — he seems to have taken over some of Telford’s role.]

Stanton to arrange for the sale of:

C	the two weighing machines at the Fron and Chirk Bank;
C	the land upon the Prees Branch;
C	the lands upon the other parts of the Canal belonging to this Company;
C	the public house, stables , garden and lands at Rhosweil;
C	two small cottages and a wharf at Tilstock Park; and
C	the bricks and other materials belonging to the Company on the Frood Branch.

10 September 1806	Bridgewater Arms, Ellesmere	Powell  (5)
		[The Royal Oak renamed]

William Turner asking to cut through the towing path near Grindley Brook for making a graving dock; referred to a sub-committee.

The £15,000 has been subscribed..

Mr Kynaston Powell and Mr Hunt requested to furnish the new Committee Room with chairs, tables and such other furniture as they think necessary.

26 November 1806 	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Hill  (11)

Mr Samuel Turner attended.  Having proposed to purchase the land and execute the canal on the Parliamentary line from ... New Mills ... to Sherrymans Bridge and from thence to a place called Castle Well ... with the towing path, bridges, drains, culverts, fences and other works that may be necessary for the sum of two thousand pounds and they having agreed to advance the Ellesmere Canal Company the sum of two thousand pounds to be paid to them at the expiration of four years from the first day of January next with lawful interest.  This Committee direct that an agreement to be entered into with Mr Samuel Turner and six or more of the Gentlemen. ..residing at Whitchurch to perfect and complete said canal on the terms before mentioned on or before the first day ofMay 1808 to the satisfaction of the General Agent of this Company ... the said ... parties having liberty to deviate from the said Parliamentary line one hundred yards and they agreeing to indemnify the Ellesmere Canal Company ..., and beginning the said canal at Castle Well and completing the same to Sherrymans Bridge before any other part of the said canal is cut ... 
	That in the first application to Parliament made by this Company the extension from Sherrymans Bridge to Castle Well shall be included and adopted as part of the Ellesmere Canal and a clause be introduced for providing that a certain piece of land now contracted for by John Knight esq from Mr Joseph Hassell and extending from Castle Well ... to ... High Gate shall be considered a public highway and repaired by the township of Whitchurch ... 

Ordered that Mr William Turner be proceeded against for the recovery of the penalty of five pounds by him incurred for obstructing the towing path at Grindley Brook.  [John Knight was a Committee member.] 

It is the Opinion of this Committee that all Wharfs erected upon the Line of the Canal are Public Wharfs except such as are erected and built by Lords of Manors or Landowners for their private and exclusive use only.

William Jones, boatman to Messrs Simpson & Co, to be proceeded against for £5 penalty for forcibly passing the locks at Aston on 19 November.

New Regulation: That Boatmen when they meet on the Towing Path of the Canal shall drive their Horses to the left side of the Towing Path as is usual on Turnpike Roads, and that the Horse next the Hedge or furthest from the Canal shall be made to drop the line in order that the Horse next the said Canal may pass over it.

Leases granted to Messrs Manley & Co, Whittle & Co and Mr[Mrs?] Broughton & Co of Llanymynech of land adjoining the wharfs at Llanymynech and Weston Lullingfield for the purpose of building warehouses.  Lease for 21 years with right to repossess at arbitrated value at the end; each lease at 40 shillings a year.

Ordered that it be recommended to the General Assembly ... to impose an additional tonnage of one farthing per ton per mile on all Boats of the new construction ..., the bows of which are much pointed and shod with iron, and which are therefore very injurious to the Works of the Canal.

Ordered that small houses be erected at the Wharf of Pontcysyllte to accommodate persons who superintend the shipping of coals ... and small sheds to shelter horses ... under the direction of Mr Telford.

Ordered that two graving docks shall be made at the north end of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct under the direction of Mr Telford.

Chester Canal Company disputing payment of interest.  Reiterated that full interest should be paid to this Company on all sums expended by it in making the line of communication between the Chester and Ellesmere Canals from Church Bridge to Wrenbury Common in pursuance of the articles of Agreement of the 7th February 1803 ...

Thomas Grimes[?] appointed wharfinger at Chester at a salary of £25pa.

Land at Froncysyllte; settlement with Chirk Castle estate.

10 February 1807	Bridgewater Arms, Ellesmere	[inquorate]

10 March 1807	Bridgewater Arms	Hunt  (6)

Sales of lands and other assets.  Application by Mr Pickering to make a wharf at Kenna[?] Brook referred to a sub-committee.

Packet boat rented to Samuel Ackerley.

Samuel Turner given permission to start at the New Mills end, not Castle Well. Mr Denson to supervise 

24 June 1807	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Hunt (9)

Various land transactions.  Exuperius Pickering allowed to make a wharf at Kenna[?] Brook.

Mr Yorke requested loan of some Iron Railway to enable him to form a Railroad from the Main Line of Road to his collieries ... such application cannot be complied with.

A question having been put whether an extent of Iron railway to Rhuabon Brook as far as the Act of Parliament authorises the same to be made would be advantageous.  It was unanimously determined that it would be so if proper funds could be procured for making the same.  Recommended to next General Meeting to raise £4,000 by optional notes for this purpose.

Ivan Jones appointed Wharfinger and Tonnage Clerk at Pontcysyllte, and to reside in the Company’s house formerly occupied by Mr Davison.  Robert Baugh appointed Tonnage Clerk at Cerrig Hofa.

Regulations made concerning passage of locks at Whitby — dependent on water levels.

16 September 1807	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Hill (10)  [though Earl of Bridgewater present]

Joseph Boultbee has died; his 52 shares divided between three legatees.

Presentments made by the Grand Jury of Cheshire that two bridges Nos 50 & 54 in the townships of Burland and Hurleston being dangerous to travellers for want of a guard or fence: Stanton to arrange a proper guard of fence.  [Shows bridges already numbered, presumably from west to east.]

Whittle & Co applied for reduction in the tonnage for iron.  Mr Telford be requested to consider of this application and report his opinion thereon to the next meeting.

Mr Mullock’s bill for trees and shrubs for the Ellesmere Canal Garden appearing a large one: referred to a sub-committee.   [What was the Ellesmere Canal Garden?]

25 November 1807	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Hunt (9)

Montgomeryshire Canal’ Agent to be given seven days notice of cleansing the Ellesmere Canal; similar notice requested if Montgomeryshire Canal needs to be cleansed.

Ordered that the Railway on the Wharf at Pontcysyllte be extended to ~~ Bridge there.

Tonnage on limestone and lime coal carried between 25 December 1807 and 25 March 1808 need not be paid until 24 June 1808.

The difficult works upon the Water Line from Pontcysyllte to Llandisilio being now nearly completed and it being thought unnecessary that there should be a separate Inspector of the said Line.  It is ordered that a proper Bank ~~ shall immediately be appointed whose sole occupation shall be the attending to that Line, the Aqueduct at Pontcysyllte and the canal banks as far as the Irish[?] bridge near thereto.  And that he report any defects or appearance of defects in the Aqueduct at Pontcysyllte to Mr William Stuttle [Hazeldine’s foreman] and any other defects in the line to Mr Denson.

Ordered that the Aqueduct at Pontcysyllte be painted in a proper season in the manner pointed out by Mr Telford’s report of this day.

The money needed for the extension of the railway has been raised.

A new larder and additional bedrooms to be added to the tavern at Ellesmere Port according to a plan presented by Mr Telford.

A new wharf with two cranes to be constructed at Chester on the lower side of the Tower Field Bason agreeably to the mode proposed in Mr Telford’s report.

Charges for use of graving docks and other regulations.  That every boat weighed in the Company’s dock at Ellesmere having six copper indexes marked and fixed, and the name of the owner and of the boat cut on the side shall pay the sum of two guineas and a half.

9 March 1808 	Canal office, Ellesmere	Hunt (7)

Petition from the Rt Hon Lady Elinor Butler and other inhabitants of Llangollen that the footpath leading from Llangollen by Abbey Crusis to Llantisilio be restored as near the same as can conveniently be done to the same state in which it was previously to the forming of the Water Line.  Stanton to inspect and cause it to be done, but once done, the Canal Company will not take further responsibility for it.

Petition form Ellesmere’s highways surveyors asking for remission of the £36 tolls charged for the carriage of stones and materials for the repairs of public streets, as the Company were drawing water down the canal from the higher level.  Agreed.

Trent & Mersey Canal seeking support for their bill concerning rating of canals.  Lord Bridgewater and John Kynaston Powell to attend and to direct Mr Telford the General Agent to the said Company who is now in London to give them such assistance as they shall think necessary ...

Ordered that Mr Turner be allowed the further term of twelve months from the first day of May next for completing the new canal from Sherrymans Bridge to Castle Well. And that Mr Turner be paid interest at 5% upon the money he has already expended ... not exceeding two thousand pounds. 

Ordered that Mr Samuel Turner and his copartners shall be permitted to navigate a boat for the conveyance of passengers and luggage along the said canal from Whitchurch to Chester and from Whitchurch by way of Ellesmere to Oswestry for one year from this time upon such terms as shall be settled by Mr Telford on behalf of the said Company.

Warehouses, dwelling house and outbuildings at Maesbury Marsh to be sold to the trustees of the late Earl of Powis.

Contract for cutting and forming the ground for the railway from Plas Madoc Colliery to Ruabon Brook let to William Freeman of Chester for £668 except for any hard rock that needs to be blasted.

Company to become a member of the Association for the Prosecution of Felons within the Hundred of Oswestry ... and that proper advertisements shall be issued for detecting of the persons who have lately stolen the posts and rails ... on the side of the Towing Path of the Llanymynech Branch ...

Ordered that the Sub-Committee of the Whitchurch Branch ... shall inspect the footway from Combermere near Wrenbury Frith Bridge and direct measures to be taken for keeping the Swing Bridge on the Wrenbury side so as to accommodate Foot Passengers.

Ordered that the Water of Tushingham Brook shall be turned into its original course until it shall appear that it is again wanted ...

15 April 1808	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Hunt (11)

Land southwest side of Queens Head turnpike given ...  by the late Mr Lloyd of Aston on condition of its being made into a wharf to be given up to William Lloyd as it will not be expedient for the company to erect a wharf in that situation.

Railway arch over Ruabon–Llangollen turnpike: Owen and Kirk to determine what proportion of the cost ought to be paid as the arch is considerably higher than proposed in the original plan.

Enforcement action to be taken against Sir Robert Cotton and William Turner for non-payment of tolls.

Public house at Maesbury would be advantageous.  John Jones, landlord of the King’s Head, Oswestry, would be a proper person to keep such a house.  And as a public house is not wanted for the purposes of the Canal on a Sabbath Day if the Magistrates wish that any regulation should be made as to opening the said house on a Sunday it will meet the perfect approbation of this Committee.

Denson and William Stuttle to inspect and make a plan of Chirk Colliery to ascertain whether any injury has arisen or is likely to arise to the aqueduct or other works.  To be repeated every six months.

Ordered that the Engineers to the said Company shall examine the Rock at the end of the Feeder at Llandisilio and report to the next meeting ... what will be the expence of blasting or otherwise removing the said Rock so as to improve the navigation of the River Dee in that place.  [Does this imply that there were thoughts of making the Upper Dee navigable?]

29 June 1808	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Kynaston Powell (12)

Compensation to landowners near Bala Lake.  Before agreements made, weir to be lowered to previous level to ascertain the actual damage.

Ordered that a small House be erected at the head of the water line near the regulating Gate above Llangollen for the Superintendent of the said Gate.  [Is this the sluice by the weir or something else?]

Stanton to write to Lord Osborne concerning a piece of land wanted immediately for a wharf and warehouse at Llanymynech; if no satisfactory reply, use powers in Act.

Recommend to General Assembly that rubble stone for building or draining to pass free from tonnage after sixteen miles.  Reduction on pig and bar iron (except on Wirral Line) to continue until the next GA meeting.

Mr Cooke be permitted to take water from the canal for the supply of his steam engine at Berlin Dag[?] he undertaking to discharge into the canal all the Water he shall raise by the second Engine.  [Is this a coal mine somewhere?]

Several accidents having lately happened at the Locks near Grindley Brook and Mr Denson having informed this Committee that by an alteration of the valves and paddles of such locks the recurrence of such accidents may be prevented.  Alterations to be made immediately.

7 September 1808	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Hill (5)

Ordered that Ellis Davies the present Superintendent of the Weir at Bala Pool be discharged, it having been represented to this Committee that he has lately been convicted of poaching.  And that Evans who takes care of Bala Pool under Sir Watkin Williams Wynn be appointed in his place ...

Ordered that the Proprietors of Afonsithon[?] Colliery be allowed as many Rails and such sum of money as will be equal to the expence of laying down the said rails from a point which it appears will be more convenient to alter the line of the Railway below Mr Kenrick’s[?] House to the top of the Railway, the Proprietors of the said Colliery undertaking to form and lay down the said Railway from the said point below Mr Kenrick’s House to the Afonsithon Colliery, provided Mr Kenrick agrees to such alteration, and the Company are not put to any additional Expence in varying and altering the said Railway, and the company receiving tonnage for the same length as they would have received on the Parliamentary Line.

Ordered that a quantity of Bricks belonging to the Company on the Frood Branch of the Canal be disposed of by the Company in Lots; and that Mr Stanton do arrange with the Committee of that Branch of the Canal in what manner the same may be most advantageously sold.

30 November 1808	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Kynaston Powell (10)

Ordered that the Company’s Agents do immediately take down the Wall or Embankment made by Edward Morris near the Flood Gate at Llantisilio which prevents the Company from completing the Weir there and discharging water at the Flood Gate.

Ordered that Notice be immediately given to Messrs Davies Jebb & Co the proprietors of the Chirk Colliery that if by the prosecuting of their Works at the Colliery any injury is done to the Canal ... proceedings will be commenced ...

GA to be recommended to continue the reductions on tonnage of pig and bar iron (except on the Wirral Branch).

In future cases of non-payment of tonnage, the Agent is given power to stop that person’s boats until payment is made.

1 March 1809	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Hill (5)

Mr Telford’s Report bearing date the 25th day of January last and Mr Adam’s Letter of the 25th January last having been read relating to a new Bason being made at Chester adjoining Mr Manley’s present Bason and a Wharf formed there for the purpose of a Depot for Iron from the Works of the late John Wilkinson Esquire.  and the Sub Committee of that time having advised this Committee that Mr Telford’s recommendation should be immediately complied with, and Mr Denson having furnished this Committee with a Plan of such Bason and an Estimate of the Expence of forming the Bason and Wharf amounting to the sum of £150.  Ordered to be made.

Ordered that the Salaries of Mr Stanton and Mr Denson be increased £15 per Annum which is equal to the Income Tax paid by them ...

Ordered that a small Workshop adjoining the Graving Dock at Pontcysyllte be immediately built ...

Ordered that the house at Pontcysyllte lately held by Mr Davison be let to Stuttle at the yearly rent of £20 including the Dock and the intended Workshop in case upon enquiry the said Stuttle is a Man of good Character and likely to be useful to the Company ...  [Presumably William Stuttle, who was Hazledine’s foreman.]

Ordered that the Weighing machine on the Frood Branch be sold for such Price ... as Mt Kirk and Mr Stanton shall think a reasonable and fair value for it.

Ordered that the two Communication Bridges to Mr Owen’s land on the Llanymynech Line be taken down and that one Swivel Bridge be erected in their stead.

20 June 1809	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater (9)

Stanton and Denson to be paid clear of property tax.

Piece of land on south side of canal at Quoisley to be sold to Sir Robert Cotton to erect a wharf there.

Ordered that no business relating to the Canal shall be done after Dinner or be proposed unless it of immediate importance, and in that case strangers who are not of the Committee or the Committee itself be requested to withdraw.

Any proposals to be considered by the General Assembly to be sent to Mr Stanton by 1 May or 1 October.

18 October 1809	Canal Office, Ellesmere	Hunt  (5)

Mr Turner’s claim for compensation for damage to his mill near Llangollen by the taking of water from the Dee: Mr Telford asked to survey and report.

29 November 1809 	Ellesmere	Hunt (9)

The holders of the optional notes to be asked to continue the loans at the same interest rate for a further three years.

Wirral Branch packet boats to be advertised to be let for three years.  The person contracting to provide their own boats to be purchased by the Company at valuation at the end of the three years if the contract is not extended.

From 25 December all coal brought down the Ruabon railway to be weighed at Pontcysyllte at a rate of ½d a ton; GA to be recommended to charge extra toll of ½d per ton per mile for those in default.

Turner & Co (Llangollen) to be paid £28.1s.8d in settlement of their claim for damages. on condition that they keep in repair their own weir.

Ordered that application be made to Parliament ... for liberty to extend the Whitchurch Branch from ... Sherrymans Bridge ... to Castle Well. 

Denson to attend Sir W W Wynn, Sir Robert Vaughan and other gentlemen proposing to make a navigable canal to communicate with the water line of the Ellesmere Canal near Llandisilio.

14 February 1810 	Ellesmere	Hill (7)

Telford’s report of 21 December 1809 as to the state of repairs read.  Denson to carry out the measures recommended by Telford.

Graving docks at Pontcysyllte to be let to Mr Stuttle.  Clause obliging him to repair boats in the order in which they arrive.  Register to be kept.

Mr Rowland to be allowed to make a graving dock on the south side of the water line leading to Llangollen immediately after the first bridge.

Mr Whitehurst to remove coal obstructing the wharf at Pontcysyllte  Enforcement action to be taken against Whitehurst & Co and Pickering & Co for charges for weighing coal at Pontcysyllte..  Chirk Bank Colliery to leave three yards width clear for the towing path.  

Samuel Ackerley’s offer to pay £1,165 a year for the Wirral boats and the Canal Tavern accepted, subject to performance surety.

Fence to be erected along the edge of the canal near the Ellesmere canal office.

Mr Knight & Mr Lee to consider the best mode of repairing the Draw Bridge on the Road from Chester to Wrenbury and the Road adjoining thereto and how far the Canal Company is liable to such repairs and that they do give Orders for the said repairs being done and for the erection of a new bridge of brick in case they shall be of the Opinion that the same are necessary.

Ordered that Mr Potts do affix the common seal ... to one part of an agreement between the Company and Mr Samuel Turner for extending the Whitchurch Extension ... 
	Ordered ...that if the evidence of Mr Stanton shall be thought necessary he do attend in London before the Committee of Parliament on the Bill for making such extension. 

Joseph Bostock to be given notice to quit the premises at Weston Wharf.

27 June 1810 	Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater (14)

Lee reported that a brick bridge cannot be erected at Cholmondeley Brook near Wrenbury without considerable elevation.  Present bridge to be repaired and a man to be paid for attending to its being kept constantly down except when boats are passing.

Lease of land at Whitby to Ralph Manley for 7 years to erect cottages, workshops, sheds, cranes and for a timber yard for boat building & repairing.  Manley to spend between £500 and £1,000.  Company to have option to take back at end of lease on valuation.

Mr Adam [James Adam, Committee member] having verbally made a proposal to this committee for a railway from Brumbo to the city of Chester, Ordered the be requested to commit such a proposal and his Opinion thereon to writing ...

The Gentlemen who reside near the Banks of the River Dee wishing that proper means should be taken to prevent the salmon fry from passing into the Canal at the Weir at Llantisilio, Ordered that Mr Denson be directed to consider and carry into immediate effect what may be most proper for that purpose.

Calls in arrear £3,081.1s.  Write to defaulters to sell the shares and use proceeds to clear arrears, or the shares will be declared forfeit.

It having been stated to this Committee that a difference of opinion has arisen respecting the Parliamentary line of the extension of the Whitchurch Branch ... 
	Ordered that the Earl of Bridgewater, Sir John Hill, John Knight, Robert Clarke, Joseph Lee Esqs be requested to attend at Whitchurch on Saturday next at eleven o'clock in the forenoon as a Subcommittee ... for the purpose of viewing the said line and endeavouring to settle such difference which they are hereby authorised to do in such manner as they think best, and the said Mr Taylor and Mr Trevor be requested to attend the meeting if convenient to them and that Mr Denson do also attend. 
	And it is further ordered that the Subcommittee above named be authorised to call a meeting of the Commissioners under the Acts of Parliament for making the said canal in case it shall appear to them necessary for the purpose of settling the value of the land to be taken ... 

8 October 1810	Ellesmere	Hunt (5)

Packet boats: sale of alcoholic drinks.

Mr Jones of Llantisilio to be asked to sell a carriage road through his premises at Pentrefelin in order to enable Mr Hughes to get to his tan yard without the company having to build a bridge.

Tavern at Whitby to be let to Mr Crines[?] at the same rent as Mr Ripley has lately paid to Mr Ackerley.

Subcommittee on 30 June 1810: Earl of Bridgewater, Sir John Hill, Joseph Lee, John Knight, Robert Clarke. Commissioners met on 23 August 1810.  The parties have since come to an agreement. 
	Ordered Mr Denson attend at Whitchurch as soon as it is convenient for setting out the line. 
	Mr Turner be allowed a further three months from 10 October 1810 for completing his contract. 

The public house at Weston Wharf to be let to Edward Price.

Further discussions about Messrs Turner (Llangollen).  Report of several leakages in the rocks from the canal.

28 November 1810 	Ellesmere	Kynaston Powell (7)

Telford’s report on the present state of the canal and the finances of the Company received.  Plan produced by Telford for graving docks and other buildings for the repair of flats and small coasting vessels at Ellesmere Port., partly on land now let to Mr Manby.  Telford offering to raise about £5,000, do the works, and take the rents for 14 years, after which the Company may buy them at valuation.  Agreement to be prepared.

Shares with arrears totalling £1,972.1s.4d to be forfeited.

Complaint against Mr W Turner, proprietor of the wharfs at Grindley Brook and Wrenbury, for blocking the towpath.  Notice of legal proceedings if he doesn't clear it within ten days. 

Ordered that a proper basin be constructed at the termination of the extension of the Whitchurch Branch. ..and Mr Denson be directed to set out the same and take measures to have it completed with all the dispatch which a proper attention to economy will admit of and to consult with Mr Knights and Mr Lee respecting the same. 
	Ordered that Mr John Turner be paid the sum of £39.5s.8d for the balance ofhis account for attending in London as a witness on the solicitation of the late Act of Parliament and that Mr William Turner be paid the sum of ten guineas for his attendance at Chester relative to the same business. 

3 April 1811 	Ellesmere	Sir John Hill (6)

Samuel Ackerley’s fines totalling £63.10 for retailing wine and ale in the canal packet boat to be waived.

26 June 1811	Ellesmere	John Edwards (10)

The persons who have loaned £3,275 on Optional Notes payable on 1 November 1811 be asked whether they will continue with their loan without having the option of taking stock at £100 a share.

Ordered that the Subcommittee of the Whitchurch Branch ... be requested to inspect the extension. ..from Sherrymans Bridge to the Castle Well ...and to report to the General Committee ... the state of the works and the manner in which they have been executed and also examine the account of Mr Turner relative to the making of the Extension and his demand on the said Company ...   Denson and Stanton also to attend. 

Ordered that the Subcommittee of the Llangollen Branch ... be requested to meet Messrs Turners at Llangollen for the purpose of taking into consideration a proposal this day made by them ... for insuring a supply of water to their Manufactory by means of an Iron Pipe or Tunnel to be laid from the Waterline of the said Canal or otherwise.  Subcommittee given power to act.  Subcommittee also to adjust with Messrs Turners the terms of an Agreement for settling the disputes which have arisen between them and the said Company as directed by an order made at the meeting of this Committee held on 28 November 1810.  Telford and Stanton to attend.

Llangollen Subcommittee to inspect the road from the Lower [?] Farm to the weir at Llandysilio and the fence on each side which have been injured by the canal works, and to give the necessary instructions to put the road into repair so that future repairs are borne by the townships through which it passes.

27 November 1811 	Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater (16)

Ordered that Mr William Turner. ..be informed that his letter of the 26th instant. ..coming within the terms of the Order of28 June 1809 as to alterations of the Orders of the General and Sub Committee cannot now be taken into consideration so as to be submitted to the General Meeting of the proprietors this day but must be deferred until the next meeting of this Committee to be submitted to the General Assembly to be held in June next.

Agreement with Turners of Llangollen sealed.

Agreement with Thomas Telford sealed as to the constructing Graving Docks at Whitby conformably to the Order of the General Committee of 20 November 1810.

Thomas Stanton, General Agent, appointed engineer in place of Thomas Denson deceased until the General Assembly to be held in June 1812 and that he shall have the general superintendence of the affairs of the said Company until that time with an additional salary at the rate of £150 per annum from 29 September 1811 it being expressly understood that Mr Stanton is to devote his whole time and attention to the affairs of the Company except as to the assistance he has heretofore given to Mr Telford as Surveyor of the public works of the County of Salop which he shall be only permitted to continue until the new General Assembly of the said Company in June next it being the Opinion of this Committee that such employment is incompatible with the due discharge of his duties to the said Company.  And it being further understood that Mr Stanton is not to engage in any Trade or Mercantile speculation. 

Stanton to view the land near Pontcysyllte on which Mr Biddulph wishes to erect lime works and report to the Llangollen Subcommittee.  

Stanton to inspect the aqueduct near Woodhouse and report to the Ellesmere Line Subcommittee.

27 May 1812 	Ellesmere	John Edwards (3)

Inquorate.

24 June 1812	Ellesmere	Sir John Hill (9)

General Assembly to be recommended from 1 July 1812 that all lime stone, lime coals, fire coals and slate boated along the Ellesmere Canal out of Shropshire and Denbighshire into Cheshire as far as the lime works at Wrenbury [?] on the Nantwich Line of the Canal be charged for tonnage to Grindley Brook only.

Further consideration about the tonnage for lime stone and lime coal be deferred to the next General Assembly.

From 1 July 2d per ton be charged as a wharfage on all fire coals and free stones loaded at the wharfs at Pontcysyllte Bason.

Stanton’s salary £400 plus the cost of keeping a horse, Mr Stanton having engaged to devote the whole of his time and attention to the Concerns of this Company.

Ordered that it be referred to Mr Lee, Mr Naylor and Mr Corser to treat with Mr Trevor respecting a promise alleged by him to have been made on behalf of the Company to erect a bridge across the new branch of the canal near Whitchurch. 

Additions to the bye laws approved on 25 November 1807:
C	No Boatman will be permitted to leave his horse loose upon the Towing Path of the Canal under a penalty of ten shillings.
C	No Boatman shall be permitted to make use of any shaft or pole for the guidance of his boat, if there be any spikes or iron at the end of such shaft under a penalty of ten shillings.

Railway wagons to be numbered.  The weight of the present loaded wagons not to exceed 45 hundred (ie 2 tons 5cwt), under a penalty of 5s for every 1cwt excess.  No new wagons when loaded to exceed 35 hundred (1 ton 15cwt) under a penalty of 5s for each cwt excess; from 1 July 1814 this shall apply to the present wagons too.  The weight of each waggon to be ascertained upon an average of a weeks loading.

22 July 1812	Ellesmere	Earl of Brigewater (3)

Inquorate.

26 July 1812	Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater (12)

[Writing exceptionally difficult to read.]

Resolved unanimously: 
	That an union between with consolidation of the Ellesmere and Chester Canal Companies upon terms fixed and equitable to both would reasonable and advantageous to each Company.
	That taking into consideration the respective values of the gross and net income of the Chester and Ellesmere Canal Companies and likewise and which appears to the respective present value of the capital of each Canal this Committee can not think itself justified in offering more than five hundred shares to the Chester Canal Company to be added to the present Stock of the Ellesmere Canal Company towards that Union which this Committee shall be happy to effect.
	That this Proposal be subject to the next General Assembly of this Company and that the time may not be lapsed until [?] the Chester Canal Company approve.  The above Proposal the Solicitor of this Company is directed to give the proper Notices in August or September next or either of these of the intended application to Parliament at the ensuing Session.
	That the thanks of this Committee be given to Sir Thomas Broughton Bart and the Gentlemen of the Chester Canal Committee for the Honour which they did this Committee in their attendance at Ellesmere on the subject of the above Proposal.

25 November 1812 	Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater

Reported that the General Meeting of the Chester Canal Company on 16 November approved the union as proposed at the last committee meeting.  Solicitors to proceed with Bill.  Recommend to General Assembly to appoint a Subcommittee of members of the General Committee who will be in London during the progress of the Bill to assist the Solicitors.  Recommend that the half-yearly General Assemblies of the United Companies be on the last Thursday of July and February at Ellesmere.

As there is sufficient cash in hand, the £3,275 borrowed on Optional Notes to be immediately paid off.

General Assembly to be recommended to reduce the tonnage on pig iron boated from Pontcysyllte to Chester and on iron ore boated from Chester to Pontcysyllte to 1d per ton per mile from 1 January 1813.

Ordered that the sum of sixty pounds be offered to Mr Trevor in lieu of the Company erecting for him a footbridge ...as alleged to have been promised to him by Mr Kynaston Powell and Mr Coles, and that it be referred to the Subcommittee ... to settle the compensation to be made to him for land which he states has not been included in the last account settled with him by the Company Agent. 

Additional bye law to e recommended to the General Assembly:
C	Any Boatman or other person refusing to unload his Boat upon any of the Wharfs belonging to the Company in such manner and under such regulations as the Wharfinger or other person to be appointed by the said Company shall for the proper convenience and accommodation of the public direct, shall for every such offence forfeit the sum of ten shillings.
C	Any Person or Persons who may leave articles remaining upon any of the Company’s Wharfs for a longer space than twenty four hours and who shall refuse to give a proper account of such articles to the Wharfinger or other person appointed to receive the same shall forfeit the sum of ten shillings, and if with an intent to evade the payment of the Wharfage or other charges which may be payable  upon the said Articles a false account shall be given, every person so offending shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty shillings for every ton of goods or other things and so in proportion for any less quantity than a Ton which may be over and above the weight specified in such account, and if any difference of opionion shall arise between the Wharfinger or other person appointed by the Company and the Owner or Owners concerning the weight of such Articles the same to be ascertained by weighing in the manner directed by the Act of Parliament, at the expense of the person giving the account if such account shall prove to be false, or otherwise at the expense of the said Wharfinger.

19 July 1813	Ellesmere	Earl of Bridgewater (11)

It appearing by Mr Telford’s Report of the 5th of January last “that the Iron Work at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct should receive a proper Coating to preserve it from the action of the Atmosphere”.  It is ordered that such part of it as now wants such Coating be immediately done, either with Coal tar or such other coating as may be thought proper and effectual and attended with the least Expense, and if the whole of the Aqueduct cannot be coated in the present Year, then that such part only as most requires it be done the present Year, and the remainder as early as possible in the ensuing Year.

The resolution in June 1812 concerning the weights of wagons on the Ruabon railway has proved unsuccessful because it refers to average loadings.  Amended recommendation to the General Assembly.  [This minute is unreadable.]

Roads at Llantisilio to be made 20ft wide, in accordance with the indictment.

The sum of £14,400 remaining on the Optional Notes to be repaid with interest on 1 August.  [Difficult to read — might not be paraphrased accurately.] 

Request by William Owen for the reduction in tonnage for lime coal boated from Chirk and Pontcysyllte into Montgomeryshire be refused.

Ellesmere Canal : Sub-Committee

RAIL 826/7
[Numbered with E&C series]

5 February 1806	Royal Oak, Ellesmere

Telford’s report received, considered and approved.

Report to Sub-Committee by Thomas Telford, February 5th 1806

4
(iii)	At Ellesmere, adjacent to the Canal Office, a Yard must be inclosed, in which there must be a Carpenter’s house and workshop, also a Bricklayer’s house and Store Room.  In this Yard there must be provided spare lock gates, stop gates and let offs, also separate pieces of each.  A boat must be fitted out as a floating workshop, with two cabins for the Carpenter and Bricklayer.  There must likewise be a weighing house in this yard, over which may be a store room.

Ellesmere Canal : Committee on the Wirral Line

RAIL 827/6

12 May 1801	

Edward Rowland, David Parvey, Richard Kirk

8 June 1801

Sir Foster Cunliffe, Richard Kirk

11 October 1802

Edward Rowland, David Parvey, Richard Kirk

Conditions upon which the taverns and passage boats will be left.

21 February 1810

Sir Foster Cunliffe, Edward Rowland, Richard Kirk

[Another copy of the 1793 Act]

RAIL 827/7 Part 1

Report to the General Assembly, 27 November 1805

Full copy — extracts below

...
Proceeding from Frankton, the first object of consequence upon this line is a short branch up to the town of Ellesmere.  This branch terminates in a bason round which the Earl of Bridgewater is laying out wharfs and erecting warehouses, and by its central position with regard to the country and the canal, and from the encouragement given by him, this point promises to become of considerable importance to the canal and the country.  The traders of Chester and Montgomeryshire, having very judicially fixed upon Ellesmere as the most proper situation for dividing their journeys, are making arrangements with this view and are providing proper vessels for carrying commercial goods, grain etc along the line of the Canal.
...

To enable the Proprietors, therefore, to carry the above plan into execution, the Committee has judged it necessary to erect a Canal Office at Ellesmere, being the most central point in the course of the navigation.  This Office will contain a Committee Room, an office for Accounts and another for Plans etc, also apartments connected therewith for the resident Accountant Agent and the resident Engineer

[Note: In 1805 the General Accountant was Thomas Stanton and the Resident Engineer was Thomas Denson.]

Receipts & Expenditure from Commencement to December 1805

Salaries & expenses:
	John Duncombe, 1791 to 30 June 1803, resident engineer etc	4402.  2  5
	William Jessop	1103.18.  0
	Thomas Telford as General Agent	3639.12.  5

Roelands and Pickering for an experimental lock	200.  0.  0

Land and damages	40,744.  5  9

Wirral Line	68,405.12.  0

Chirk, Llanymynech and Weston	55,691.13.  3

Frankton to Tilstock and Prees Line	49,194.13.10

Tilstock Park to Nantwich  (Messrs Simpson & Hazledine)	40,186  7.  0

Chirk Aqueduct	20,898.12.  9

Chirk Bank to Pontcysyllte	42,527.  9  0½

Pontcysyllte Embankment	8570.15.  8

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct	38,498.10.11
Railway	5,888.14.  8

Water Line	10,724.12.10

Frood Branch	8,921.15.  2

Interest paid to proprietors	11,723.19.  4

Rowland Hunt’s address

Oration at opening of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct