L31/288

Account-book for enlarging & improving Wrest Park and making a garden on the S.; fo., 50 pp., bd. vellum. The total cost was over 3,000, much of which was for labour. The levelling took 4 yrs. Trees were removed from the warren and a pond filled; 77 trees were bought from Warden & Wilstead for 86, and a charge paid for 'a way through Haynes grounds to cart them home;' 4 cart-horses were bought, 40, and 4 new carts from Dorseter the wheelwright (f.18). Digging & carting stones for the foundation for the wall (2,261 loads) cost 164. Bricklayers' work cost over 150; over 500,000 bricks cost 460; lime over 100. There were many brewings of beer for the workmen. An iron roller cost 10. Mr. Biggs the smith charged about 580 for iron gates and 'palasados', including those on the garden terrace and in the great garden. Mr. Grumbold was paid 69 for stone piers with wyverns on them and 20 for 2 stone basins in the garden. All the entries are signed by Thos. Hooper. At end: pp. v-xiv apparently rent arrears: v-vii, Flitton cum Silsoe; vii-ix, Gravenhurst; x-xii Maulden; xiii Henlow & Harrold; xiv Blunham; ix also Higham, Meppershall, Stondon.

1685-1701

From: 1685 To: 1701

item

Lucas,
Dorseter,
Biggs,
Grumbold,
Hooper, Thomas

building accounts, household accounts, general gardens, Vellum, trees, warrens, ponds, carts, agriculture horses, wheelwright, other aspects building trade, bricklayer, brewing, beer, smith, stone, rentals, debt, Wrest, Wrest Park, OLD WARDEN, WILSHAMSTEAD, HAYNES, FLITTON, SILSOE, GRAVENHURST, MAULDEN, HENLOW, HARROLD, BLUNHAM, HIGHAM GOBION, MEPPERSHALL, STONDON