Old Ford Lock

OLD FORD LOCK

Lock	State	Date	Length	Length - Working Distance	Width	Fall	Removed or bypassed
Old Ford Lock (Tidal)	Built	1769
Old Ford Locks (Large) (Tidal)	Rebuilt and Duplicated	1856	96' 0''		18' 6''
Old Ford Locks (Small) (Tidal)	Rebuilt and Duplicated	1856	90' 0''		15' 9''	10' 1''	1902+
Old Ford Lock (Large) (Brick and stone)	Report	1917			18' 3''
Old Ford Lock (Small) (Brick and stone)	Report	1917			15' 9''
Old Ford - Large (Tidal until 2000)	Rebuilt	1935	90' 0''	85' 8''	18' 6''	10' 1''
Old Ford - Small (Tidal until 2000) (West)		1935	90' 0''	85' 8''	18' 6''

The sequence and dating of the Old Ford Lock structures is confusing with different dates being assigned to the (not always clear) structural changes quoted in contemporary and derived documents. Further research is necessary. If you can help, please contact me.

On 27.11.1779 "...it was ordered that the Locks in Hackney Marsh and at Old Ford be forthwith repaired..." (NA Rail 845/51)

20.11.1793 “….Also that new posts and gates be made to Old Ford Lock” (NA Rail 845/7)

"Old Ford July 16th 1852 Sir - I beg to call your attention to the vile and filthy state of the River Lee adjoining my ground caused evidently by the stoppage of the fresh water from coming down and which has converted the River into a great Cesspool, and beg to inform you that unless it is soon remedied I shall confer with my Solicitor in the matter to adopt some proceedings against the Company...G Bruxney" (NA Rail 845/14)

The map below, drawn in about 1815, shows Old Ford Lock in its original alignment, with a dotted line marking a proposed new route which was never built.

LMA ACC 2423/P/1719

The plan to the left is dated 1851 and gives a very clear picture of the original lock. It is shown upside down to align with the illustrations above and below

It also shows the proposed building of the tide gates at the junction of the old River Lea and the Navigation.

LMA ACC 2423/P444

On 18.12.1852, it was reported that the two owners of the land around the "bad double turn of the River below Old Ford Lock", were "now ready to give up the land" (for a suitable recompense) to enable the bend to be removed. The bend is shown on the map (P1719) above, skirting the property marked "7" (NA Rail 845/14)

LMA ACC 2423/P730

The plan above shows the old Old Ford Lock lying in its original orientation. The proposed new chamber (outlined in red) was superceded by the (sketched) duplicated chambers built in 1856. On 15th December 1856, Mr Beardmore reported "The New Pair of Locks at Old Ford will be ready for use tomorrow on the arrival of the Trustees at the spot.....The pumping only closed in the morning of yesterday and the water boiled from underneath, the foundations as hard as ever to the last minute - the entire works are nevertheless as strong as any I have ever executed." (NA Rail 845/14)

In the period 1864-1867 the Lee Navigation was upgraded between Tottenham and Old Ford to take 100 ton barges. In these works Lea Bridge Lock was swept away and the Navigation dredged back to Tottenham.

Old Ford (and hence Old Ford Lock) derives its name from the Roman road crossing of the Lea. Indeed on 8^th April 1892, permission had been obtained for “the removal of the “Roman Sill” at Old Ford which had been such an obstacle to the Navigation of the Back Waters of the Lee…” On 15th July Mr Child reported that he "would remove it as soon as the tide permits" (LMA ACC 2423/004).

Following the finding of approximately 40 timber piles dated to the early Roman period during recent excavations at Dace Road, Old Ford it has been suggested that the Romans at first built a wooden bridge over the River Lea. It was not until the later Roman period that the bed of the river was consolidated with sand and gravel to provide a firm footing for the crossing. (p. 39, London and Middlesex Archaeological Society, Transactions, Volume 59, 2008: Bridging the Lea, Angus Stephenson).

A map crossed by a line showing the line of the Roman road

The Lea was also likely to have been an important route in the Roman period. It may have been used to supply the London area both with agricultural produce and, in the late period, with pottery from Much Hadham, via the River Stort. Excavations have established that a Roman settlement existed in an area close to Old Ford.A pattern of occupation has been identified from recent excavations suggesting that buildings fronted onto the Roman road which stretched from the Roman Londinium to the Roman Colonia of Camulodunum (Colchester), with a network of yards and fields laid out behind the road. The position of the settlement at a ford on the River Lea implies that the settlement had a role as an interchange point between road and river traffic. Timber buildings have been found consisting of postholes and beam slots showing that a fairly substantial roadside ribbon development existed from the 1st century AD. One building represented by a large beam-slot filled with charcoal and daub was a very large structure, possibly an open ended barn, fronting on to the road. The road was used for the transportation of food from Essex and East Anglia to Londinium. A large amount of cattle bone with evidence of butchering, as well as the many coins found, suggest that Old Ford might well have been primarily a market, with the trading of cattle, as well as the slaughtering, for sale in Londinium.

Anticipated alignment of the Roman road to Colchester across the Lea Valley. Copyright PCA

An extensive agricultural landscape skirted the Roman road, represented by a complex series of ditches, which were dug as field boundaries. Finds of pottery, coins and metalwork from the ditch fills indicate their use up to the 4th century.

A Roman cemetery has been found related to the settlement at Old Ford. A group of four inhumation burials were found situated 50m north of the road and could be a small family burial plot. A scatter of other such burials has been found in the past including two stone sarcophagi. One sarcophagus contained two inhumations. A communal burial ground was also excavated containing sixty seven graves. The acidic soil limited bone survival and no grave goods were found.

http://www.museumoflondonarchaeology.org.uk/Services/PCaseStudies/UK-projects/Lea-Valley-Olympic-Park/Archaeology-in-Lea-Valley-Pre-2005/Roman.htm

22.1.1897 "New Lobby for Collector's House. This is now completed and will be a great improvement to the collection of tolls - the house has been thoroughly cleaned down, papered and painted and made comfortable. New Lock House...plan prepared...cost should be £250" (J Child - LMA ACC 2423/006)

18.3.1898 Mr T Pollitt’s tender of £310.0.0 for an additional lock house at Old Ford was accepted (NA Rail 845/29)

....with perhaps an early example of a WC plumbed into the sewer system! However, it was still outside the new house, near the back scullery door.

LMA ACC 2423/P001

8. 1.1909 "A new small wooden lobby for the lock keeper's use was being built to place on the centre pier between the locks, so as to enable the lock keepers to be on the pier day and night; and that the new gas lamps were a great improvement and made the working of the lock much safer" NA Rail 845/60

LMA ACC 2423/P010

The locks were rebuilt in 1932, now with the only difference between the large and small chambers being the depth.

The lock and the lock houses (centre background) were severely damaged by bombing on 19th October 1940

LMA ACC2324/P/459

The replacement houses were being built in 1946, when this picture was taken. They were constructed at a right angle to the Navigation, instead of facing the water.

Lee Conservancy

The houses were sold by British Waterways in the early 1990’s. They became home to a television studio which hosted Channel 4's “The Big Breakfast”

Old Ford Cistern or Old Ford Lock

Census/Date	Name	Title	Wife	Location given by enumerator/Comments			Source Reference
14.3.1947	H S Haycroft (56)	Collector	27 years in service. £6.15.0 up to £7.5.0 £7.11.0 (n.d.)				NA Rail 845/128 LCB Records
14.3.1947	F Lowe (46)	Asst Collector	16 years in service. Earns £5.15.0. Transferred to Limehouse as Collector at £6.10.6				NA Rail 845/128
14.4.1947	A W G Lake	Relief Asst Collector	4 years in service. Earns £5.0.0. Last recorded r.o.p. £6.3.0 (n .d)				NA Rail 845/128
25.2.1947	H Pittaway	Lock keeper	Appointed at £4.15.0 and uniform (left 23.9.1947)				NA Rail 845/128
25.2.1947	A C Pittaway	Lock keeper	Appointed at £4.15.0 and uniform				NA Rail 845/128
22.2.1947	R H Goodbody	Lock keeper	Appointed at £4.15.0 and uniform				NA Rail 845/128
14.2.1947	P Lawrence	Lock keeper	Resigned owing to domestic reasons				NA Rail 845/128
8.11.1946	A Brennan	Lock keeper	To £4.12.6 per week. Transferred to Limehouse as Relief Asst Collector				NA Rail 845/127
1.9.1946	P Lawrence	Lock keeper	Appointed				NA Rail 845/127
8.3.1946	H S Haycroft	Collector	Extension of sick leave				NA Rail 845/127
8.3.1946	A Brennan	Lock keeper	Extension of sick leave				NA Rail 845/127
4.3.1946	Lovat Grant (32)	Temp Lock keeper	Appointed at £4.7.0 per week. (£5.1.0 nd)				NA Rail 845/127
2.11.1943	F Lowe	Asst Collector	Increase of 2/6 per week				NA Rail 845/126
2.10.1942	Thomas Henry Hubble (23)	Lock keeper	£3.15.0 per week with uniform				NA Rail 845/126
2.10.1942	Frederick Ernest Hall (28)	Lock keeper	£3.15.0 per week with uniform. This man resigned, on medical advice, after 1 week’s service				NA Rail 845/126
2.10.1942	L A Collett	Lock keeper	Left the service				NA Rail 845/126
11.7.1941	R L Milne (27)	Asst Lock keeper	Appointed at £3 per week				NA Rail 845/124
7.2.1941	A E Drummond (63)	Lock keeper	Resigned after 5 months sickness. In Board’s service for 5 years . (Is this the same man who resigned in 1927? – no record of re-employment)				NA Rail 845/125
8.3.1940	T Loat (45)	Lock keeper	Permanently incapacitated. 12 years service. Pension 9/7 per week and £66.14.8 lump sum				NA Rail 845/124
6.10.1939	H J Reynolds	Lock keeper	Leave of absence for CD duties				NA Rail 845/123
1.4.1939	F Lowe	Asst Collector	To £3.7.6				NA Rail 845/123
1.4.1939	H Haycroft	Collector	To £4.12.6				NA Rail 845/123
1939	Thomas Loat (b.30.12.1894)	Lock keeper	Widower				1939 Register
1.4.1938	H J Reynolds	Asst Lock keeper	£2.10.0 to £2.14.0				NA Rail 845/122
1.4.1938	A Brennan	Lock keeper	£2.10.0 to £2.14.0				NA Rail 845/122
1.4.1938	T Loat	Lock keeper	£3.6.0 to £3.10.0				NA Rail 845/122
1.4.1938	F Lowe	Asst Collector	£3.2.6 to £3.5.0				NA Rail 845/122
1.4.1938	H Haycroft	Collector	£4.7.6 to £4.10.0				NA Rail 845/122
1.4.1937	H Haycroft	Collector	£4.5s to £4.7s.6d (inc house and garden)				NA Rail 845/121
1.4.1937	T Loat	Lock keeper	£3.5s to £3.6s				NA Rail 845/121
1.4.1937	F Lowe	Asst Collector	£3 to £3.2s.6d (inc house and garden)				NA Rail 845/121
12.3.1937	A Brennan	Lock keeper	Appointed ex Stonebridge Lock at £2.10s with house and uniform				NA Rail 845/121
12.3.1937	G W Sharp	Lock keeper	Transferred to Stonebridge Lock				NA Rail 845/121
5.1.1937	Harry John Reynolds	Asst Lock keeper	£2.10.0 per week with uniform				NA Rail 845/121
1.4.1936	G Sharp, Jun	Lock keeper	£2.7s.6d to £2.10s				NA Rail 845/120
1.4.1936	F Lowe	Asst Collector	£2.17s.6d to £3				NA Rail 845/120
1.4.1936	H Haycroft	Collector	£4.2s.6d to £4.5s				NA Rail 845/120
1.4.1935	G Sharp Junior	Lock keeper	£2.5.0. to £2.7.0 per week				NA Rail 845/119
1.4.1935	F Lowe	Asst Collector	£2.15s to £2.17.6d per week				NA Rail 845/119
1.4.1935	H S Haycroft	Collector	£3.17s.6d to £4.2s.6d per week				NA Rail 845/119
1.4.1934	H Haycroft	Collector	+2/6 per week				NA Rail 845/118
1.4.1933	F Lowe	Asst Collector	+ 5/- per week				NA Rail 845/117
1.4.1933	H Haycroft	Collector	+5/- per week				NA Rail 845/117
25.7.1930	Fredk Lowe	Relief Collector	Appointed at £2 10s per week				NA Rail 845/114
25.7.1930	H Haycroft	Collector	Increase from £3 to £3 10s per week				NA Rail 845/114
25.7.1930	E J Lawrence	Collector	Transferred to Bow Locks				NA Rail 845/114
1.4.1930	T Loat	Lock keeper	5/- per week				NA Rail 845/114
1.4.1930	G Sharp Jnr	Lock keeper	3/- per week				NA Rail 845/114
1.4.1930	Haycroft	Asst Collector	5/- per week				NA Rail 845/114
1.4.1930	E J Lawrence	Lock keeper	10/- per week				NA Rail 845/114
22.2.1929	H Haycroft	Collector	+3/- per week				NA Rail 845/113
27.7.1928	T Loat (33)	Lock keeper	On trial				NA Rail 845/112
13.7.1928	E J Penney	Lock keeper	Resigned, unable to carry out duties				NA Rail 845/112
15.6.1928	Ernest J Penney (41)	Lock keeper	Ex serviceman 13yrs in Bedford Regiment appointed at £3 per week with uniform. Non resident				NA Rail 845/112
1.6.1928	T C Payne	Lock keeper	Unsatisfactory, given 1 week’s notice				NA Rail 845/112
1.4.1928	E J Lawrence	Collector	+5/- per week				NA Rail 845/112
2.12.1927	T C Payne	Lock keeper	Absent from duty				NA Rail 845/111
23.9.1927	G W Sharp (25)	Lock keeper	Son of George Sharp Lock keeper at Enfield, married with one child .Appointed £2 2s with house and uniform				NA Rail 845/111
23.9.1927	A E Drummond	Lock keeper	Resigned				NA Rail 845/111
17.6.1927	Thomas Charles Payne (30)	Lock keeper	Late AB, RN, appointed at £3 per week with uniform but no house.				NA Rail 845/111
6.5.1927	C Haycroft	Lock keeper	Promoted to Supernumerary Collector at £2 12s with house and uniform				NA Rail 845/111
1.4.1925	E J Lawrence	Collector	+5/- per week				NA Rail 845/109
27.4.1923	F Oxley	Lock keeper	Transferred to Brick Lock				NA Rail 845/107
12.5.1922	A E Drummond (45)	Lock keeper	Ex L Seaman RN , appointed				NA Rail 845/49
31.3.1922	Edward James Miller	Lock keeper	Ex CPO RN, appointed - but refused the post				NA Rail 845/49 LMA ACC 2423/019
3.2.1922	Smith	Lock keeper	Dismissed following complaints by E J Lawrence, Collector "I had Lawrence and Smith before me...and heard both sides and it appears to me that Smith had made up his mind not to take Mr Lawrence's instructions"				NA Rail 845/49 LMA ACC 2423/019
23.7.1920	E J Lawrence	Collector	Plus 10/- per week				NA Rail 845/47
28.5.1920 House ready for Smith’s “occupation….(he) was asked to sign the conditions as to uniform..this he had refused to do.” “A copy of the notice with reference to uniform be forwarded to him…as amongst the terms of his appointment.” (NA Rail 845/47)
5.3.1920 Judge “had since joined the Metropolitan Police, had not yet vacated the lockhouse”. …If he is not out by 11.3.1920 proceedings will be taken against him. 19.3.1920 Possession not obtained; Board’s solicitors instructed. 16.4.1920 Application for the recovery of possession of the lock house came before the Judge of the Bow County Court on 26^th March; that the Judge made an order for possession within a month; that the costs were taxed at the sum of £8.7.4d; that the Defendant stated it was impossible for him to pay the costs; and that he had offered to pay them by installments of £1 a month……Board allowed “Judge to pay them by …10/- per week provided he vacated the house by 17.4.1920.” “Judge also asked that the Board allow his wife and children to reside at Bow House with his father” “This permission cannot be granted by the Board” 8.5.1920 Key received from the High Bailiff of Bow County Court. There being no goods left on the premises upon which a levy could be made…the costs of the warrant would be added to the previous costs payable by the defendant 14.5.1920 Judge asked the Board to forego the costs due from him. Informed that the Board could not reopen the matter . 17.9.1920 “Letter received from the Poplar Board of Guardians stating that Judge had applied for permission for admission to the Workhouse for himself, Wife and Family on account of inability to find housing accommodation and enquiring whether the Board would allow Judge and family to reside with his father in the Board’s house at Bow. Resolved that the Board of Guardians be informed that the Board are unable to find accommodation for A Judge and that their letter appears to show that they are not in possession of all the facts of the case.” (all from NA Rail 845/47)
6.2.1920	W Smith	Lock keeper	Ex dredgerman in the Board’s service, appointed at 42/- per week				NA Rail 845/47
23.1.1920	A Judge	Lock keeper	Resignation on 24.1.1920				NA Rail 845/47
14.11.1919	C Haycroft	Lock keeper	42/- per week + house ,garden & uniform				NA Rail 845/46
14.11.1919	F Oxley	Lock keeper	43/6 per week + uniform				NA Rail 845/46
14.11.1919	E J Lawrence	Collector	70/- + house, garden, uniform and gas				NA Rail 845/46
13.11.1919	A Judge	Lock keeper	Returned to duty from military service				LMA ACC 2423/018
11.7.1919	H S Haycroft (29)	Lock keeper	Ex Regular Army Appointed				NA Rail 845/46
2.5.1919	E J Lawrence	Collector	Underwent operation at the London Hospital on 8.4.1919. Hoped to resume duty in about 3 week time				NA Rail 845/46
24.1.1919	E J Lawrence - I wrote to his doctor on 16th inst and yesterday received a reply saying that Mr Lawrence should go to the South Coast, and the necessary arrangements have been made for carrying on thge Collector's duties at Old Ford Locks - C Tween						LMA ACC 2423/017
15.2.1918	E J Lawrence	Toll Collector	55/- per week				NA Rail 845/66
15.2.1918	J Judge	Lock keeper	30/- + 8/3 overtime				NA Rail 845/66
1.1918	F Oxley	Temp Lock-keeper	Transferred to Newmans Weir				NA Rail 845/66
11.1.1918	F Oxley	Temp Lock keeper	Appointed				NA Rail 845/45
18.5.1917	A.Judge, Junior	Lock keeper	Called to the Colours				NA Rail 845/44
1.4.1917	A Judge, Junior	Lock keeper	+2/- per week. War bonus while actually working for the Board				NA Rail 845/44
1.4.1917	J Judge	Lock keeper	+2/- per week				NA Rail 845/44
1.12.1916	E J Lawrence	Collector	£10 war bonus				NA Rail 845/43
1.12.1916	J Judge	Lock keeper	£3 war bonus				NA Rail 845/43
7.4.1916	A Judge	Lock keeper	24/- to 25/- per week				NA Rail 845/43
24.3.1916	A Judge	Lock keeper	"asks that he may receive the same wages as his father (who is the other lock keeper at Old Ford)"				LMA ACC2423/15
29.1.1916	A Judge	Lock keeper	Appointed at 21/- per week. “Mrs King will be required to vacate the lock-house in a fortnight’s time”				NA Rail 845/43
30.12.1915	E J Lawrence	Collector	+5/- per week and War bonus £10				NA Rail 845/42
25.12.1915	J Judge	Lock keeper	£3 War bonus				NA Rail 845/42
4.3.1915	E J Lawrence	Collector	+3/- per week				NA Rail 845/42
4.3.1915	J Judge	Lock keeper	+2/- per week			NA Rail 845/42
29.1.1915 “received an application from from Constable A Judge for the post of lock keeper at Old Ford….(he) is the son of Lock keeper Judge at Old Ford. (NA Rail 845/43)
4.12.1914 “Mrs King expected to be confined in about a fortnight’s time and was anxious to remain in the cottage until January” Agreed (NA Rail 845/41)
20.11.1914	John King	Lock keeper	Resigned to take civilian job with the Army Remount Depot at Swathling at 30/- per week				NA Rail 845/41
28.2.1913	E J Lawrence	Collector	Wages increased by 2/- per week				NA Rail 845/40
28.2.1913	J Judge	Lock keeper	Wages increased by 1/- per week				NA Rail 845/40
2.8.1912 “ James Judge on 28^th May last saved the life of W Barrett… from drowning. Judge on several other occasions has saved life from drowning and I brought the matter before the Royal Humane Society and asked that his gallant conduct might be recognized….” Judge was presented with the Honorary Testimonial from the Society inscribed on Parchment, together with a gratuity of 10/- from the Board. (the Board also suitably framed the Testimonial at their own expense) (NA Rail 845/39)
1.4.1912	E J Lawrence	Collector	Increase of 1/- per week				LMA/ACC 2423/012
1.4.1912	J King	Lock keeper	Increase of 1/- per week				LMA/ACC 2423/012
2.4.1911	Edgar Lawrence (33)	Collector of Tolls	Eliza		3 Lock Cottage, Dace Rd		RG14PN1656 RG78PN58 RD22 SD1 ED6 SN273
2.4.1911	John King (26)	Lock Keeper	Bessie Tree		2 Lock Cottage, Dace Rd		RG14PN1656 RG78PN58 RD22 SD1 ED6 SN272
2.4.1911	James Judge (54)	Lock Keeper	Mary Kate		1, Lock Cottage, Dace Road		RG14PN1656 RG78PN58 RD22 SD1 ED6 SN271
9.12.1910	John King	Lock keeper	Appointed				NA Rail 845/37
9.7.1910	Symonds	Lock keeper	Transferred to Aqueduct				NA Rail 845/37
14.6.1910	E J Lawrence	Collector	Applied for assistance due to increase of traffic in past 5 years. Hard to get time for meals				NA Rail 845/37
1.4.1909	E J Lawrence	Collector	Increase of 1/- per week				NA Rail 845/36
23.10.1903	Edgar Joseph Lawrence	Collector	Sworn in as a Canal Constable				NA Rail 845/31
23.10.1903	James Judge	Lock keeper	Sworn in as a Canal Constable				NA Rail 845/31
9.10.1903	E J Lawrence	Collector	Up by 2/6 per week				NA Rail 845/31
31.10.1902	S Simmonds	Lock keeper	20/- up to 22/-				NA Rail 845/30
31.10.1902	J Judge	Lock keeper	20/- up to 22/-				NA Rail 845/30
31.3.1901	George W Taylor (52)	Lock keeper	Mary H	2 Lock Cottage Canal			Lo/St Mary Stratford Bow/26/52
31.3.1901	George Taylor (20)	Lock keeper	Single	2 Lock Cottage Canal			Lo/St Mary Stratford Bow/26/52
12.10.1900	Edgar Joseph Lawrence (23)	Collector	Brother to J W Lawrence, appointed Collector at 30/- per week				NA Rail 845/29
12.10.1900	J W Lawrence	Collector	Transferred to Bow				NA Rail 845/29
17.3.1899	J W Lawrence	Collector	Wages raised from 30/- to 35/- per week				NA Rail 845/29
18.2.1898	J W Lawrence	Collector	"..asking if the Board would grant him a Uniform similar to the one granted to C. N Crace at Limehouse. I would suggest that the Board accede to his request, he is a good officer". - C Tween				NA Rail 845/29 & LMA ACC 2423/006
1.9.1896	J Wybrew	Collector	Deceased. Pension of 5/- per week to widow (died 15.3.1901)				NA Rail 845/28 NA Rail 845/30
17.4.1896	J W Lawrence	Collector	Appointed				NA Rail 845/28
17.4.1896	J Wybrew	Collector	"had a kind of fit or attack and was not expected to live but he has recovered and expects to resume work by Monday 16th" (J Child)				LMA ACC 2423/005
24.3.1893	S Symonds	Lock Keeper	Appointed from Bow Locks				LMA ACC 2423/004
24.3.1893	A Wright	Lock keeper	Transferred to Limehouse Lock				LMA ACC 2423/004
23.9.1892 Augustus Wright (20) received a vellum parchment and £1 for saving life in the river (NA Rail 845/26)
8.4.1892. J Wybrew collects £2100 pa . Ordered to give security for £100 but he has not done so up to the moment
5.4.1891	Joseph Wybrew (63)	Toll Collector Lee Conservancy	Ann	River Lee, Old Ford Bow, Lock keeper's Lodge 1			Lo/St Mary Stratford Bow/26/1
5.4.1891	Augustus George Wright (21)	Lock keeper	~	River Lee Conservancy, Lock keeper's Lodge 2			Lo/St Mary Stratford Bow/26/1
1.2.1889	Douglas Hillier	Lock keeper	Transferred to Tottenham				NA Rail 845/25
1.2.1889	J Wybrew	Collector	Ex Tottenham at 28/- per week. To find security of £100				NA Rail 845/25
James Newall died 20.1.1888. "In service for over 33 years...He leaves a widow and 5 children...the youngest being the youth lately appointed as junior collector at Limehouse" J Child. Widow granted 12/- per week pension							LMA ACC 2423/003 NA Rail 845/25
18.1.1889	James Newell		Taken ill				LMA ACC 2423/003
7.12.1888	Jesse Lawrence	Collector	Appointed at 38/- per week plus 12/- per week as Water Bailiff				NA Rail 845/25
3.3.1888	Platten	Lock keeper	Left of own accord				LMA ACC 2423/003
2.3.1888	Platten	Lock keeper	Appointed				NA Rail 845/25
9.4.1885	James Newall	Collector	Appointed ex Limehouse				LMA ACC 2423/002
9.4.1885	J Lawrence	Collector	Transferred to Limehouse				LMA ACC 2423/002
28.12.1883 J Mott “be … fined 5/- (to be deducted out of his wages) for this neglect of duty (the passing of barges without signing the Permits); and that he be severely reprimanded; (NA Rail 845/23)
20.4.1883	J Mott	Lock keeper	2 years service. 18/- per week				NA Rail 845/23
1883	J Lawrence	Collector	12 years service 40/- per week				NA Rail 845
4.4.1881	James Joyce (51)	Lock keeper	Jane E	Old Ford Lockhouse, R. Lea			Lo/Bow/26/50
4.4.1881	Jessie Lawrence (35)	Collector of River Tolls	Emma	Lock house, Old Ford			Lo/Bow/26/50
12.4.1878	Jesse Lawrence	Collector	Add 5/- per week “for his assiduous attention”				NA Rail 845/21
26.5.1871	Robert Herrington	Lock keeper	18/- per week (ex Waltham Town)				NA Rail 845/18
28.4.1871	James King		Recorded as having died				NA Rail 845/17
2.4.1871	James King (60)	Lock keeper	Maria	Cottage at Old Ford Locks, River Lea cut			Lo/Bow/39/49
2.4.1871	John Chamberlain (49)	Collector of River Lee tolls	Emma	Cottage at Old Ford Locks, River Lea cut			Lo/Bow/39/49
23.3.1870	John Chamberlain	Collector	Recorded as Collector at 40/- per week				NA Rail 845/17
11.1.1868	J. Chamberlain		35/- per week				NA Rail 845/16
24.8.1867 "That it is desirable that a change of Collectors at Limehouse and Old Ford should be made as an experiment and that John Chamberlain should be removed to Old Ford Lock and Frederic Drummond should be removed to Limehouse Lock for twelve months and that the use of the Trustee's Barge should be granted to assist them in the removal of their goods (NA Rail 845/16)
16.11.1861	Frederick Drummond		Appointed at 30/- per week				NA Rail 845/15
16.11.1861	Henry Farrow	Collector	Death. 25 years service. Pension of 10/- per week to widow				NA Rail 845/15
8.4.1861	Henry Farrow (45)	Collecting Clerk on River Lea	Susan	Old Ford Lock House			Mx/Bow St Mary/41/13

21.10.1854	James King	Lock keeper	16/- per week				NA Rail 845/14
30.3.1851	James King (40)	Lock keeper	Eliza	Lock House			Mx/Stratford Le Bow/1l/3
7.6.1841							No census record
1838	William Hare	Lock keeper	Discharged “for frequently being absent and also for being drunk”				NA Rail 845/11
21.9.1824	John Hare	Lock keeper	Appointed				NA Rail 845/9
17.8.1824	James Barton	Lock keeper	Deceased				NA Rail 845/9
17.2.1824	James Barton	Lock keeper	Recorded as the Lock Keeper				NA Rail 845/9
18.12.1775	George Berner	Walksman	Paid £16 per year to look after the cutt opposite his mills and the lock. Agreed for the term of three years (Possibly Old Ford but not certain)				NA Rail 845/5

This site was last updated 03-Mar-2021