Appendix I

Summary

Conveyance of land for a sluice and towing path, 25 May 1689. An indenture made on 25 May 1689 between Thomas Palmer of Warden street in Warden parish, dr. of physic, and Henry Ashley of Eynesbury, co. Hunts., gent. Whereas the said Henry Ashley is appointed by the commissioners for the county of Bedford undertaker for making the river Ouse navigable from below Eaton mills to the town of Bedford according ton an act of parliament made in the 16th year of the reign of Charles II, Palmer, in consideration of ￡10 paid to him by Ashley, conveys to Ashley one piece of meadow ground in the meadow or holme called the Millers Holme on the north west side of Cardington mills, in length 11 poles from the river north unto the Back Rey next the east corner of a holme late of Sir George Blundell, deceased, and in breadth 3 poles and no more, and lying about 12 poles above the said mill bridge towards the west, with full power and liberty to make and maintain one sluice for the passage of boats and lighters and to do any other reasonable act or thing in or upon the said piece of ground. Ashley is also granted a line way or haling path 3 ft. wide through that part of the Millers Holme, in length from the west side of the said piece of ground 46 poles, towards the west corner of Millers Holme and adjacent to the river Ouse, for the haling or towing of boats and lighters with horses and men. The ￡10 is also to cover damages for trees cut down and dug up for the works, such damages to be assessed by Francis Brace of Bedford, gent. Whereas it will be necessary to place the said sluice across a certain way leading from the mill to the west end of the said meadow, Ashley is to make and maintain “one sufficient plank bridge over the lower end of the said sluice fit for the passing … of such persons and things as … . are used or ought to pass.” Ashley is not to draw a greater quantity of water through the said sluice than may be sufficient for the necessary passage of boats and lighters.