WESTMINSTER BRIDGE INQUISITIONS

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0074 O/579
Held at	: London Metropolitan Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma ›
Full title	: WESTMINSTER BRIDGE INQUISITIONS
Date(s)	: 1739-1746
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 0.33 linear metres
Name of creator(s)	: Westminster Bridge Commissioners

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

A Bill to enable a bridge to be constructed across the Thames from Westminster to Lambeth became law in May 1736. Commissioners to oversee the project were appointed with powers to acquire land and clear property to make way for the bridge. On the Westminster side, streets were very narrow and the land ownership pattern was very complex with many leases and subleases. Juries were thus necessary to decide on acquisition and compensation. Construction began in 1738 and the bridge was opened in 1750.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Documents relating to the Westminster Bridge inquisitions, 1739-1746. The documents relate to the acquisition of land in Westminster. For each case there is a precept for summoning a jury, a list of jurymen and their resulting inquisition. The list records the general location of the property and the owner or leaseholder concerned.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Twenty six documents in chronological order.

Conditions governing access:

Available for general access.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright to these records rests with the Corporation of London.

Finding aids:

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Gifted to the Archive in January 1959.

Allied Materials

Related material:

Other records of the Westminster Bridge Commissioners can be found at reference B/CWB.

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
November 2009 to February 2010