On Sunday, the 9th August 1772, Samuel Cockett wrote this letter to George Jackson:

Transcribed, as best I can, it reads:

To:

George Jackson, Esqr

At the Admiralty

London

Received 10AU

Sir

I expect to have protracted the whole plan of the Rivers Stort

by Thursday or Friday next time enough to meet you at Hodsdon on Friday

evening; I judge you will not be at Hodsdon before the Evening so

that I intend to leave business about six o’clock and be at Hodsdon at

nine.

The plan by its present scale will be very clear, and plain to be under-

stood as to the River, Locks and Mills, Meadows jc^d. What I wanted to

see you for is regarding the measuring the said pieces of land purchased

by you for the new cuts in the River, Banks jc^d and old River filled up which

is too small in general to be seen in its true scale; such may be represented

on vacant parts of the plan as you wished in your letter,  a reference to it

will be necessary also if you are not disappointed being at Hodsdon

at the time you fix. I will be certain to meet you there with my plans.

From the observations I have made of River, Mills, meadows jc^d. I am

of opinion the Navigation Cutts are of benefit to the whole which I

will explain to you fully afterwards.

                                         I am Sir your Obed

                                         Servt    Saml Cockett

Bell & Feathers, Sawbridgeworth

Aug the 9^th, 1772

This letter and the maps he drew, are held at the Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies (HALS) under reference D/EX 941 P1 PC 41

To view the maps click on the appropriate link:-

Map 1 Bishop Stortford and South Mill Lock

Map 2 Twyford Mill Lock

Map 3 Spellbrook Lock, Tednambury Lock

Map 4 Sawbridgeworth Lock

Map 5 Sheering Mill Lock, Feakes Lock

Map 6 Harlow Mill Lock

Map 7 Latton Mill Lock

Map 8 Burnt Mill Lock

Map 9 Parndon Mill Lock, Hunsdon Mill Lock

Map 10 Hunsdon Mill Lock, Roydon Lock

Map 11 Brick Lock, Lower Lock