SAWBRIDGEWORTH LOCK
Lock |
State |
Date |
Length |
Length - Working Distance |
Width |
Fall |
Sawbridgeworth Lock |
Built turfsided |
1766/9 |
88' 6'' |
86' 6'' |
13' 3'' |
7' 5'' |
Sawbridgeworth Lock |
Rebuilt in brick/concrete |
1919 |
88' 6'' |
86' 6'' |
13' 3'' |
7' 5'' |
Griggs’ Report
1844: No 11 Lock called Sawbridgeworth. Lock affected by a mill. Has a
bridge attached with 5 oak timbers. The oak planking good; headway 6’
0’’; depth of water on lower sill 3’ 6’’; ditto on upper sill 4’ 0’’.
Lower gates worn and weak dated 1819. Upper gates new 1843. Brickwork
below lower gates rubbed and broken. This lock except the lower part is
in fair condition
1869: Dated wall plaque indicating
reconstruction of the lock tail
Beardmore’s
Report 1870: Sawbridgeworth Lock is in good repair
Childs’
Report 1880: Sawbridgeworth; Brickwork upper end requires repair, lower
end good. Upper gates nearly new and good; lower gates 10 years old,
fair. Sides of chamber bad, requires renewing. Very bad
Childs' 1884 Report: ""Brickwork, upper end requires repair,
lower end good. Upper gates nearly new and good. Lower gates, 10 years
old, fair. Sides of chamber very bad, requires renewing. Main Piles
fair. Wing walls in good condition."
Tween's 1901 Report: "Brickwork, upper end requires repair, lower
end good. Upper gates good. Lower gates, 1869, can be repaired. Open
timber sides, Main Piles fair. Wing walls in fair condition. Upper sill
should be lowered a few inches. Cost about £200.''
Image below from the 1901 Report

The lock house here was not
occupied by employees of the Navigation, nor was it one of the seven
“official” lock houses; it probably gained its name from its proximity
to the lock, which was named after the town.

Burton’s Mill is to the
left of the photograph. The long building alongside the lock is a
maltings with the trademark chimney in the centre.
This photograph was
probably taken in the 1930’s.
Sawbridgeworth "Lock House"
Census/Date |
Name |
Title |
Wife |
Location
given by enumerator/Comments |
Source
Reference |
31.3.1901 |
Thomas Brace
(67) |
General
Carman |
Wdr |
Lock house |
He/Sawb'worth/2/2 |
5.4.1891 |
Thomas Brace
(56) |
Foreman
Lighterman |
Maria |
Lock house |
He/Sawb'worth/2/37 |
4.4.1881 |
Thomas Brace
(46) |
Manager to
Maltings |
Maria |
Lock house
Mill Hill |
He/Sawb'worth/2/48 |
2.4.1871 |
Reuben Thear
(29) |
Merchant's
Clerk |
Alice |
Mill Hill
Lock house |
He/Sawb'worth/2/24 |
8.4.1861 |
Gabriel
Brace (51) |
Superintendent |
Ann |
Lock house |
He/Sawb'worth/2g/25 |
30.3.1851 |
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No listing |
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