Sanitary Committee minutes 1856-1859
Minutes of the Walkern Sanitary Committee
HALS Ref D/P 114 24/1
1856
[In the hand of George Beecroft unless otherwise stated]
21 June 1856
A Vestry meeting for the purpose of putting into force the Nuisance Act and endeavour to check the fever laying at that time in the village.
The following persons were chosen as committee men
The Rev John Harding in the Chair
Mr Thomas Rowlatt, guardian
Mr Edward Pearman, churchwarden
Samuel Porter, surveyor
Robert Hill, surveyor
John Martn, saddler
Thomas Garratt, gentleman
George Beecroft, overseer
Monday 30 June 1856
Examined the following premises for sanitary purposes, report of same
1st Carpenter, no proper privy accommodation, cottages in a very bad state. The only privy to the middle cottage and much to (sic) near causing very bad smells. 7 cases of fever, 1 death.
2nd Dilley’s cottages, in a worst state if possible. Bad privy accommodation, a filth hole at the back running into the road, 5 cases of fever, 1 death.
3rd Mr Overill’s. The privy and yard drainage running at the back of Dilley’s into the same drainage causing an overflow and very bad smells. 1 death from fever.
4th The Rev John Harding. Bad drainage from the cottage yard causing stagnant water etc in the Church Lane road.
5th Winter’s drainage also running into the road in a bad state.
6th Mr James Savage yard. Drainage also causing stagnant water and filth by the roadside.
7th Hammond’s privy ordered to be emptied – obeyed
8th The rev J Harding’s cottages. Privy to be emptied – obeyed – but still too near the houses causing very bad smells
9th The drainage from the White Lion to be altered. Runs into the Bury Lane causing bad smells
10th Messrs Cannon, ditto
11th William Bray’s, ditto. Hope’s? The road into the same – will do anything in reason to alter the nuisance
1 July 1856
12th Mr Overill’s cottages, privy to be kept emptied, too near the house causing a great nuisance in the same
13th Handcock’s privy to be emptied
14th J Spriggins, ditto – obeyed next day
15th Mr Ebenezer Andrew’s privy and filth runs through the garden into the cellar of house, the property of Rev Richard Ward, in the occupation of George Carter into the High Street
16th Ditto from drainage by Lock’s shop – also causing an overflow and stoppage by Knott’s shop running across the High Road
17th Mr Thomas Stockbridge, privy to be removed and drainage to be put in proper order, will do anything necessary to prevent the same.
18th The R Ward to have a drain at ditch in Froghall Lane
19th Mr Young, proper privy accommodation. Pigsties removed and do away with filth hole behind – a very bad case
20th Rev J Harding – one of the trust? To have the drainage from Froghall Lane to Stevenage road put in proper order
21st Mr Edward Pearman. Privy of cottage by Stevenage Road to be removed
22nd Mr Porter to alter the drainage of cottages by the Stevenage lane
23rd Mr Porter’s premises, the back of HG Eliott’s and Dickenson’s very bad smells to be altered
24th William Warner. A filth hole ordered to be removed – obeyed the next day
25th Humphries cottages Froghall Lane, but one privy for 28-30 persons. Cottage and drainage in very bad state. The fever at this time very bad in these cottages
22 July 1856
Mr Harding, Mr Hill, Mr Porter, Edward Pearman, Thomas Rowlatt met at my house to appoint an inspector. Mr Harding proposed as Chairman accepted the same. Proposed Mr Beecroft to act as Inspector of nuisances for one year who also accepted this office at a salary of £5.0s.0d per annum clear of all expenses that may be incurred.
29 July 1856
Notice of Nuisance served on Mr Ebenezer Andrews – obeyed
31 July 1856
Ditto ordered Charles Cock to remove or cover a foul cesspool – obeyed
1 August 1856
Ditto Mr James Savage Yard drainage & Winter’s cottage
2 August 1856
Notice to the Rev J Harding of bad drainage to the Glebe cottage – obeyed
16 August 1856
Notice to Philip Dilley to remove filth holes and erect proper privy accommodation.
Mrs Overill to remove nuisance from the front of her cottages near the church. Obeyed by laying down a pipe drainage and cesspool
Thursday 16 October 1856
Mrs Aylott came to me for an order for a coffin for John Spriggins wife [Kitty Spriggins]. Referred her to the Relieving Officer – no [one] in a position to pay for one, the woman still laying on the bed. No attendance or any person to be answerable for her. she the deceased, dying of fever and dropsy in the largest room of the house if it may be so called, the husband and family of 7 persons having no place to keep but a very small room without ventilation so things past until Saturday 18th 4 o’clock the poor woman then so decomposed that no female or her children could go into the room come again to me to know what could be done went to the chairman of the Sanitary Committee, the Rev John Harding, who ordered her immediate internment being dangerous to the health of the rest of the family.
Friday 14 November 1856
Ordered by the chairman to serve a notice on Mr James Savage of the Bridgefoot Farm for immediate abatement of the nuisance complained of on first day of August last – also to serve a notice on the Steward of the Court sitting that day respecting a cottage situate in Froghall Lane in occupation of widow Miles which is unfit for human habitation. Also Mr George Aylott and Ebenezer Andrews be summoned for the amount of their bills assessed on them for sewage notices served by me – reply of the Steward of the Court respecting the cottage in Froghall Lane not yet the Earl of Essex’s the last proclamation this day 14 would pay for ditch or drain behind but do nothing as to repairs of cottage. Might pull it down, you have the power – know that it is unfit for human habitation.
11 December 1856
Mr Andrews and George Aylott appeared by summons before the Stevenage bench at the Petty Sessions – Andrews represented by Councillor Timms of Hitchin who objected to drainage done at Walkern in one sum. Objection – fatal to the summons. The committee must make an annual rate of not more than 1 shilling in the pound according to the Highway Rate. Joseph Andrews turned out of the Court for impertinence to the bench, obliged to beg pardon through his attorney. George Aylott to pay 10s 6d costs of summons and advised to pay the amount viz £1 19s 4d.
15 December 1856
Committee met at Mr Stacey’s.
Present
The Rector & Messrs Rowlatt, Stacey, Pearman, Hill, Porter, Martin, Garratt, and George Beecroft.
Discussed the matter on Andrew’s case and how we were to proceed. Decided on asking information from the Board of Health in London. The following is a true copy of the letter sent on this day December 15th 1856
Walkern Local Board of Health
Gentlemen,
Acting under your instructions, I summoned a person in good circumstances for using a water course recently covered in, to pay his portion of the expense amounting to the sum of £8.14s.10½d. The Stevenage bench of Magistrates decided that the party summoned could only legally be made to pay at the rate of 1s in the pound on his Parochial Highway Rate at one demand. The expense therefore fell on me. The party still disputing to pay any sum toward the expenses incurred by the local Board for Sewage – I should be glad to be informed if this is a novel case to the Board of Health and how many 1s per pound payments might be demanded in a year. Also if the sum of money be borrowed to defray expenses, can the committee charge the interest to the general expense. Gentlemen your experience, usage and advice in this matter would greatly oblige and assist, your most obedient and humble servant, George Beecroft, Overseer and Sanitary Inspector for the Parish of Walkern, Herts. To the gentlemen of the General Board of Health, Whitehall, London.
1857
Copy Walkern Local Board of Health, January 29 1857
Gentlemen,
I am ordered by the committee to ascertain from you if it your wish to pay for the parish drain recently laid down before your premises, the Red Lion Walkern. The account of which was sent to you through your tenant Mr George Pettitt on the 20th October last. In one sum. Or for the committee to levee an annual assessment to your premises for the same. The inhabitants with the exception of one, have paid the amount rather than have an annual charge. Gentlemen, an early answer to this will oblige your most obedient servant George Beecroft, Sanitary Inspector.
To Messrs Lucas, Hitchin
Sunday 8 February 1857
Called by accident on Mr Marvel who said he wished to speak to me about the expenses of his sister’s funeral – he wished me to pay for the same and would pay me when I brought him the Bill and receipt witness to the same James Dase(?).
[NB Kitty Spriggins was his sister, see 16 October 1856]
Friday 13 February 1857
Sanitary meeting held in the National School.
Present
Mr John Harding, chairman
George Beecroft, sanitary inspector
Mr Thomas Rowlatt
Mr Edward Pearman
Mr Samuel Porter
Agreed that the chairman do write to Messrs Lucas & Co, Brewery, Hitchin, forthwith upon the subject of their sanitary rate in one sum or by instalments. Bill delivered the 20th day of October last.
Also that Mr Wright be asked to call upon Messrs Lucas & Co the first opportunity. Agreed that the representation of the late Mr Ebenezer Andrews be applied to for his sanitary rate due October 20 1856.
Agreed that the trust be consulted for the purpose of laying down another cesspool & grating near to Daniel Pearman’s house.
[ written in pencil “9th(?) turnpike"]
Tuesday 17 February 1857
The surveyor Mr Samuel Porter and myself consulted as to the best and more effectual plan to take the surface drainage from the High Road between the Red Lion and Mr Stockbridge’s – decided that there must be two more cesspools and gratings put down, that is to say one just past the Red Lion and the other between Daniel Pearman’s and Mr Stockbridge’s or whenever there happen to be heavy rain or floods the water ran over the road in two or three directions causing the stoppage of those cesspools already laid down.
Saturday 21 February 1857
Called on Andrews and left the following notice: Walkern Local Board of Health Feb 21 1857.
To the representatives of the late Mr Andrews the Inspector has called for a sanitary rate for the use or usage of a sewer or sewers in the Parish of Walkern estimated on the assessment to the Highway Rate at one shilling in the pound due October 20th 1856 on the following property viz house, premises and land, Walkern, amounting to one pound seventeen shillings, cottage and Aylott & Smith’s shop 6s 9d, house and shop Knott eight shillings, amounting on the whole to two pounds 11 shillings and nine pence £2.11.9 By order of the Board, John Harding, Chairman
24 February 1857
Mr Harding called on Messrs Lucas Feb 24th and left the following notice:
Called for a sanitary rate of one shilling in the pound due Oct 20 1856 for use or usage of the sewer or sewers in the Parish of Walkern of the following property, the Red Lion and Maltings and land amounting to one pound twelve shillings and six pence estimated on the Highway Rate: Red Lion £0.14.0, Malting £0.18.6, total £1.12.6
Refused to pay – objection the illegality of the demand and the inefficiency of the work done. Feb 24 1857 Geo Beecroft
Thursday 26 February 1857
Mr Marvel paid me for the coffin expenses of Kitty Spriggins funeral £1.7.6d
Friday 27 February 1857
Mr Pettit set a man to open a drain and lay down some pipes to take the eaves droppings from his workshop into the main road
13 April 1857
Sanitary Committee chosen at the Walkern Easter Vestry:
The Rector, chair
Thomas Rowlatt, guardian
Edward Pearman, churchwarden
Samuel Porter, surveyor
Robert Hill, surveyor
Mr Martin, overseer
Edward Elliott, overseer
Mr Garratt
Henry Elliott
Geo Beecroft
Inspector [Geo Beecroft] tendered his resignation as Inspector of Nuisances at this Vestry meeting to leave on 29th September next.
30 June 1857
Notice served by Worsley[?] the police constable on the trustees of the late Mr Andrews to remove a privy being too near the dwelling house – a very bad case.
1 July 1857
A sanitary meeting held at Mr Beecroft’s.
Present: Mr Harding, chairman
Mr Rowlatt
Mr Porter
Mr Hill
Mr Edward Pearman
Mr Henry Elliott
Mr Wade’s Solicitor of Baldock letters of advice to the committee were read and the mode of forcing the reluctant payers – viz – the representatives of the late Mr E Andrews – Mr Knott, Mr Wright agreed that the above [amount of the Bills £15.17.4½] parties be assessed according to the Highway Rate at one shilling in the pound – immediately and forthwith applied to after the rate is properly signed and allowed by the magistrates.
There was also a discussion about the rating of Andrews premises in the High Street, the committee coming to the decision that £1.5.0 was a fair sum to be charged on the use or usage of sewerage, the water coming off his land through the farmyard into the main sewer – the house and premises being much underrated being only £6.0.0.
John Harding
6 July 1857
Applied to the Magistrate at Stevenage to sign a rate for Sanitary expenses under the 22 Dec of the Act the question brought before the Magistrates respecting the rate of Andrews premises, and that part of the land using the sewer. Rate granted and signed.
10 July 1857
Applied to Messrs Andrews, Knott, Pettit and Wright for the Sanitary rate
17 July 1857
The chairman of the committee finding Joseph Andrews had taken no steps to remove the nuisance complained of on June 30th ordered the summons to be served which had been held over from the 6th of July. He, the said J Andrews still contrary and obstinate using the words “do your best or worst”
27 July 1857
Knott, Pettit and Wright summoned to shew cause why they refused to pay the sanitary rate levied on them. The case put off by Mr Marlborough Pryor and Mr Lucas for one month. Mr Wade felt annoyed by the proceedings of the Bench – promised to attend and represent the case for the committee on the 27 August. New summons taken out against them.
27 August 1857
Messrs Knott, Pettit & Wright attended at Stevenage to answer the summons to pay the rate levied on their respective premises.
Mr Wade from some cause best know to himself, Mr M Pryor or Mr Lucas did not attend to represent their cases, therefore I had to defend the same in the best way I could. The Magistrates decided the Committee could legally charge not more than one shilling in the pound per annum ascertained by the Highway rate on all persons using the drain or sewer.
Messrs Knott, Pettit & Wright paid one year’s rate since October 20 1856. I also applied for an order on the surveyors of the highways for a loan of £25 to pay the expenses incurred by the committee in laying down the drain or sewer and other charges relative to the same.
Order granted and duly signed by Mr Bloomfield and Mr M Pryor
7 September 1857
Meeting at the National School
Present:
The rector, chair
Beecroft
Porter, churchwarden
Mr Elliott
Mr E Pearman
Mr Beecroft tendered his resignation due 20th Sept next.
The proceedings of Stevenage on the 27th August were read, and it was agreed to summon the executors, Elizabeth Knott and Martha Andrews, of the late Ebenezer Andrews for their sanitary rates due 20 October 1856. The Inspectors’ accounts and expenses with his […] salaries were read, audited and allowed.
23 September 1857
Mr Porter advanced £25 in order to settle the accounts due relative to the Parish for Sanitary purposes.
1 October 1857
Paid Mr Wade’s account £4.0.0
15 December 1857
Went to Hitchin for the advice of Mr Hawkins ordered the committee to be called together and make a rate for the special purpose of granting a rate of not more than 1s in the pound for the year ending April 1st 1858
28 December 1857
The committee met accordingly at Mr Rowlatt’s house on 28 December.
Present:
Mr Harding
Rowlatt
Samuel Porter
Robert Hill
Edward Pearman
Thomas Garratt
Henry Elliott
Mr John Martin
George Beecroft, inspector and collector.
The rate made and duly signed Dec 29th at Hitchin.
George Beecroft agreed to continue to act as Inspector and Collector until the Easter Vestry 1858
1858
28 January 1858
Summoned Mr James Knott for his rate due. Also paid James Beckwith by order of Mr Harding and Mr M Pryor.
Mr Knott would not appear to the summons on Feb 11th – another summons granted to appear on Feb 25. No appearance and Distress Warrant granted that day.
Easter Vestry 5 April 1858
Sanitary Committee chosen
The Rector
Mr James Andrews, overseer
E Pearman, churchwarden
J Stacey, churchwarden
T Rowlatt, guardian
S Porter, surveyor
R Hill, Surveyor
T Garratt
Knott
G Beecroft
G Aylott jnr
Friday 9 April 1858
Meeting at National School
Mr Jas Andrews, overseer
George Aylott, overseer
S Porter, surveyor
T Rowlatt, guardian
E Pearman, church warden
G Beecroft
Knott
Resolved that T Rowlatt be appointed Chairman for the ensuing year.
Resolved that Mr George Beecroft be elected as Inspector with a salary of £5 for the year
19 November 1858
National School
Samuel Porter
Joseph Andrews
James Knott
Goerge Aylott
George Beecroft
Thomas Rowlatt
Adjourned til Monday next at 3 o’clock [that meeting is not recorded]
1859
10 January 1859
Present:
John Harding
Mr Hill
Porter
Beecroft
G Aylott jnr
Agreed that a rate of 1 shilling in the pound to be granted to the Sanitary Inspector
25 April 1859
Sanitary committee chosen at annual Vestry
Mr Joseph Adams, overseer
Thomas Stockbridge, overseer
Samuel Robert Rowlatt, church warden
Edward Pearman, church warden
Samuel Porter, surveyor
Robert Hill, surveyor
Thomas Garratt
William Bray
Thomas Rowlatt
Thomas Pearman
Thomas Rowlatt was elected Chairman for the ensuing year and Mr George Beecroft Sanitary Inspector at a salary of £5 for the year
Friday 13 May 1859
Notice sent to Philip Dilley to remove the following nuisance – viz – an overflow of filth from the privy and drainage at the back of the said premises, the filth laying stagnant which is a nuisance and injurious to health.
The said Philip Dilley treated the notice with contempt. I [Beecroft] spoke to one of the surveyors who removed some part of the privy contents on the 17th. Dilley still refusing to open the drainage and clean it out. Part of which has either burst or have been opened causing the filth to run into the lane the stench of which is worse if possible than before the removal of the nightsoil. Dated this 20th day of May 1859
Monday 23 May 1859
Philip Dilley removed the nuisance complained of.
7 November 1859
Ordered by the committee to thoroughly inspect the village and make an early report of the same.
8, 9, 12 November 1859
Find but few cases that have not been removed. Throsell’s cottage in occupation in occupation of James Draper – privy too near the dwelling causing an overflow and very bad smells to Mr Simpson’s tenant, Robert Hill. The new cottages of Mr Mason’s no drainage and the privies too near the dwelling houses. Mrs Overill’s cottages privy, also the Rev John Harding’s cottages both privies ought to be removed immediately.
15 November 1859
Sent a notice to Mr Throsell by Mr Stockbridge for the removal of privy – Draper’s cottage. Also told Mr Porter I had received notice from Mr Griffin and William Hills of the nuisance before his cottage and Mr Hills from the overflow on his land. Mr Porter told his tenant Henry Elliott to remove the same by digging a sort of cesspool in garden.
26 December 1859
Meeting chaired by Thomas Rowlatt – 1 shilling in the pound.
