Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue

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Reference
R3/3743
Title
Letter mainly regarding using steps at the Swan to access provisions and merchandise instead of carrying water
Date free text
10 Feb 1833
Production date
From: 1833 To: 1833
Scope and Content
Reads- From enquiry at Bedford I can't find inhabitants have ever been denied privilege of passing over the area of the Swan for carrying water. Higgins says Cooke never allowed anything to be landed there; and it was during Rawlins' occupation & with his concurrence that corn etc. was brought to the steps; and after Higgins entered the Swan, he was much annoyed by Rawlins & Nat. Small using these steps in their trade as corn-merchants; also by farmers & others bringing potatoes etc. there for sale as they did in Rawlins' occupancy. On his representation to Tween, the business was taken seriously up & Budd was applied to, who gave Higgins legal notices to serve on offenders, which he did; as a result this usage ceased. I can't find that the Act empowering obtaining ground for the bridge took any care of the steps or passage to them. I think commissioners will give up the point on Duke's assurance that passage will always be allowed to get water. Sale of Duke's property. I don't think Woodroffe's valuation takes into account effect of Improvement Act. Probable price £1,050.
Level of description
item