Tottenham Lock

TOTTENHAM LOCK

Lock	State	Date	Length	Length - Working Distance	Width	Fall	Removed or bypassed
France Weir (on Old River Lea)	Extant	1725	~	~
Tottenham or Hilliards Turnpike (on Old River Lea)	Extant	1741	~	~		5' 6''

Tottenham Lock	Built	1776					1845
Tottenham Lock	Resited	1845			18'	6' 9''
Tottenham Lock (Brick and stone)	Report	1917			18' 0''
Tottenham Lock	Duplicated	1960

On 1.7.1771 “a Lock or other Stop to be put down at a proper place below Tottenham Mills for the Purposes of Navigation so as not to Penn up to the prejudice of Tottenham Mills.” (NA Rail 845/4)

On 12.1.1780 it was “Resolved that the following Locks be repaired with all convenient speed Viz. …Tottenham Lock, Lee Bridge Half Lock, Hackney Marsh Brick Cistern Lock And It Is Ordered that the Surveyor do repair the same as he shall find them absolutely necessary” (NA Rail 845/5).

On 4.8.1780, the Surveyor was again "ordered.... to repair Tottenham and Stone Bridge Locks". However, the repairs were delayed at a meeting three weeks later, and it was not until 1.1.1781 that "it is ordered that new Gates be made for Tottenham Mill Lock and the Apron of the said Lock lowered to give three inches increase in pointing thereof to prevent any waste of water there." (NA Rail 845/51)

New upper and lower gates were authorised for Tottenham Mill Lock on 19.4.1794. (NA Rail 845/7).

The plan below, drawn in 1817, shows the lock in its original 1776 location beside Pratts Mill (Tottenham Mill).

The present location is sketched in pencil on the plan together with the new channel.

LMA ACC 2423/P1720

This engraving by J Henshall (fl 1828-1850) is from a work by Charles Marshall (1806-1890), entitled " Tottenham Mills". The view is from the north and reflects the plan above.

(Dennis Ashby)

The new channel and chamber were built in 1845-46. It appears that a side pond was built here. This plan from 1858 shows the old lock house.

LMA ACC 2423/1470

The name Tottenham Mills Lock continued until 1870, when it took on the present title.

On 26.10.1877 it was recommended “that an additional story (sic) be added to the Lock house and that means be taken to prevent the damp coming through the existing walls” (NA Rail 845/21)

In the survey on 15^th July 1881, however, it was noted that “during the stoppage the Engineer proposes to get in the foundations of the new lock house in the old side lock there, the remainder of that pound to be filled in. (NA Rail 845/22).

The new lock house was built to the same pattern as those at Hertford and Hardmead Locks

LMA ACC 2423/P016

LMA ACC 2423/P307

A plan of Tottenham Lock in 1899 above and below, a postcard of a winter scene of the same year. The plan shows that the old lock house survived until at least the end of the 19th century.

Tottenham Lock, c1920

20.4.1883 The new lock house was insured for £300 (NA Rail 845/23)

The amount of traffic still using the Navigation after 1948 is well illustrated by the photograph below. The Conservancy Lock house can be seen to the rear of the trolleybus.

Lee Conservancy

The lock was duplicated in 1960.

A new cut a mile below the lock was made and opened in July 1879 when the bend at High Hill (Springhill) was bypassed. (NA Rail 845/21).

On 20 May 1891, “Henry Sanders and William Storer were prosecuted for indecently bathing in the Navigation at Clapton” (NA Rail 845/25).

29.7.1912 Report from Metropolitan Police at Tottenham. “ at 9.25 a.m., 28^th inst., P.C. Franklin saw George Martin, age 18, George White, age 16 and Alexander Franklin, age 17, bathing in the River Lee, near Chalk Bridge, Tottenham, in a nude state.

“Also at 6 p.m., 28^th inst, P.C. Willmott, saw Jack Jenner, age 15, William Chambers, age 15 and John Heggewald, age 15, bathing at the same spot in a nude state. The P.C’s told them that they would be reported to the River Lee Conservators. None of them made reply.

It was moved and seconded that Proceedings be taken against Martin, White and Franklin for bathing in the River Lee, near Chalk Bridge, Tottenham, without wearing bathing costume, in contravention of No 43 of the River Lee General Bye-laws.

An amendment “That a letter of caution be written be written to the persons named” was defeated by 6 votes to 5

28.5.1917 “John Henry Lennard aged 17, was bathing during prohibited hours, without any bathing dress, and that he was making himself objectionable to boating parties. Resolved that proceedings be taken against him” NA Rail 845/44

Tottenham Lock

Census/Date	Name	Title	Wife	Location given by enumerator/Comments	Source Reference
n.d	L A Page	Lock keeper	Last recorded r.o.p £5.7.0		LCB Records
10.10.1947 “Commendable action of Lock keeper Page…in saving the life of Mrs G S Clues who fell in the River Lee on 14^th August last in the vicinity of Stonebridge Lock.” Mr Rhimes of MWB “effected a rescue and Page and PC Ellis, on arriving at the spot, found that breathing had stopped. They immediately applied artificial respiration and after twenty minutes breathing was restored. (NA Rail 845/128)
6.3.1942	L A Page	Lock keeper	Appointed from City Mills Lock at £3.10.6 gross (deductions for house and uniform)		NA Rail 845/126
6.3.1942	T E Lee	Lock keeper	Transferred to City Mills Lock at his current wage (not quoted)		NA Rail 845/126
1939	Thomas E Lee (b. 5.11.1877)	Lock keeper	Lilian M b. 14.6.1883		1939 Register
1.4.1938	T Lee	Lock keeper	£2.12.0 to £2.16.0		NA Rail 845/122
1.4.1937	Thos Lee	Lock keeper	£2.10s to £2.12s (inc house and garden)		NA Rail 845/121
1.4.1930	A Lodge	Asst Lock keeper	+2/- per week		NA Rail 845/114
21.1.1921	T E Lee	Lock keeper	Transferred from Limehouse		NA Rail 845/48
12.11.1920	S H Chappell (42)	Lock keeper	Transferred to Limehouse as Asst Collector		NA Rail 845/47
14.11.1919	S Chappell	Lock keeper	50/- + house, garden, and uniform		NA Rail 845/46
29.9.1918	S Chappell	Lock keeper	Unwell with sciatica, sent on course of treatment at Droitwich or Bath.		NA Rail 845/45
15.2.1918	S Chappell	Lock keeper	35/- per week		NA Rail 845/66
15.2.1918	W Smith (17)	Asst Lock keeper	23/- per week		NA Rail 845/66
11.1.1918	W Smith (17)	Asst Lock keeper	11.1.1918 21/- per week asked for raise		NA Rail 845/45
12.1.1916	S Chappell	Lock keeper	£3 war bonus		NA Rail 845/43
19.5.1916	Chappell	Lock keeper	Increase from 28s to 30s per week (subject to revision at the end of the war)		NA Rail 845/43
8.5.1916	"Sir, We, the undersigned servants in your employ, beg to approach you for an increase in Wages. The enormous increase of prices of foodstuffs, etc., has made our lot nothing but a bare existence. Hoping you will give our application your kindest consideration. We remain, your humble servants (Signed) S. H. Chappell, J Brennan, J. Tear, A Chapman."				LMA ACC 2423/15
25.12.1915	S Chappell	Lock keeper	£3 War bonus		NA Rail 845/42
4.3.1915	S Chappell	Lock keeper	+2/- per week		NA Rail 845/42
8.5.1914	Charles Atwell	Asst Lock keeper	From 10/- to 12/-		NA Rail 845/41
7.1913	Charles Atwell	Asst Lock keeper	Appointed		LMA/ACC 2423/014
20.6.1913	S.H Chappell	Lock keeper	Appointed ex Old Ford		NA Rail 845/40
11.4.1913	D Hillier (84)	Lock keeper	Died, having served for about 28 years, with a short break. Left a widow (55) and a son, assistant at this lock, who will be placed in another position.		NA Rail 845/40
25.4.1913 D Hillier’s widow, Mary Ann (55), 22 years married, to receive pension of 7s per week (NA Rail 845/40)
1.4.1912	D Hillier (junior)	Asst Lock keeper	Increase of 1/- per week		LMA/ACC 2423/012
2.2.1912	D Hillier (junior)	Asst Lock keeper	16/- per week		NA Rail 845/39
2.4.1911	Douglas Hillier (80)	Lock keeper	Mary Ann	Tottenham Lock, Ferry lane	RG14PN7335 RG78PN356 RD132 SD4 ED25 SN143
2.4.1911	Douglas William Hillier (18)	Lock keeper	Single	Tottenham Lock, Ferry lane	RG14PN7335 RG78PN356 RD132 SD4 ED25 SN143
2.7.1910	D Hillier (junior)	Asst Lock keeper	15/- per week		NA Rail 845/37
3.7.1909	Mason	Asst Lock keeper	Transferred to one of the gangs		NA Rail 845/36
3.7.1909	D Hillier (junior) (17)	Asst Lock keeper	Replacing present assistant (Mason), who goes home at night. Hillier’s son sleeps in the lockhouse and would be available for night duty. 14/- per week		NA Rail 845/36
31.3.1901	Douglas Hillier (66)	Collector Lee C B	Mary Ann	Tottenham Lockhouse	Mx/Tottenham/18/45
11.5.1900 "Hillier...complains that he cannot get through all the work at this lock with the assistance of the Boy to whom we pay 7/- per week. The work at this lock has considerably increased during the past 12 months, by reason of the traffic to Messrs Flower and Everett's spoil shoot at Edmonton and to the new reservoirs. I am of the opinion thatwe shall have to employ a man to assist him at a wage of about a £1 a week. The amount collected in tolls at this lock for the past year ended March 31st, was £1458; during the year ended March 31st 1899 the amount was £897 shewing an increase of £561 for the year. (C Tween - LMA ACC 2423/028)
6.8.1897 D Hillier’s wages raised to £1.5.0. per week plus a boy at 7/- per week to assist (NA Rail 845/28)
8.2.1897 "I am sorry to report that the collector (Hillier) had an accident last week by slipping o the snow by which he broke his leg - he is in the Tottenham Hospital but I believe is progressing favourably - it will be some weeks before he will be able to resume work - meanwhile his duties are being performed by my office Clerk in a very satisfactory manner though it causes some inconvenience in my work. (J Child - LMA ACC 2423/006)
6.9.1895 "Referring to the complaint by Mr Leaper of incivility by by our lockman Hillier at Tottenham. I have questioned him about the matter and he totally denies the charge. I wrote to Mr Leaper asking him to attend at the office and requested him to bring his friend or friends and meet the lock keeper for an explanation....we waited 2 hours but he did not put in an appearance. I leave the matter in your hands.(J Child) (LMA ACC 2423/005) “A complaint from Mr A J Leaper as to the behaviour of D Hillier the Lock keeper at Tottenham to a boating party on last Bank Holiday was read….the Clerk do write and warn him with regard to his conduct in the future” (NA Rail 845/28)
16.6.1893 “The complaint from Mr Capper of Clapton as to the :Lock keeper at Tottenham Lock detaining boats whilst passing barges and generally as to his uncivil conduct, was read. A report from D Hillier….denying any incivility, was read and…It was resolved that the letter be brought up on Survey and that the Clerk write to Mr Capper stating that the Board regret he should have been put to any inconvenience or annoyance, and they trust there will be no more complaints after the man has been spoken to. (NA Rail 845/27
12.8.1892 Hillier of Tottenham, exonerated of recent accusations (NA Rail 845/26)
8.4.1892 D Hillier, collects about £450 pa, no security, none ever required (NA Rail 845/26)
5.4.1891	Douglas Miller (58)	Lock keeper	Wdr	Lee Lock House (new)	Mx/Tottenham/14/36
1.2.1889	Douglas Hillier	Lock keeper	Appointed ex Old Ford at £1 per week		NA Rail 845/24
1.2.1889	J Wybrew	Lock keeper	Transferred to Old Ford		NA Rail 845/24
12.10.1888	J. Wybrew	Lock keeper	Wages raised to 22/- per week		NA Rail 845/24
28.12.1883 J Wybrew “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 Wybrew	Lock keeper	2 years service. 20/- per week		NA Rail 845/23
22.9.1881	Christopher Church	Lock keeper	Died this morning after about a fortnight's illness - which commenced by the breaking of a blood vessel on his lungs succeeded by fits of apoplexy - he was a most active and attentive officer. He has been with us about 3 years.		LMA ACC 2423/001
13.8.1881	Christopher Church	Lock keeper	Ex Britannia Lock to replace Foster		LMA ACC 2423/001
12.8.1881	James Foster	Lock keeper	Died .		NA Rail 845/22
4.4.1881	James Foster (31)	Lock keeper	Ann	Tottenham Locks	Mx/Tottenham/15/17
10.12.1875	James Foster	Lock keeper	Transferred from Aqueduct		NA Rail 845/20
10.12.1875	Richard Crawley	Lock keeper	£1 per week, noted as leaving (Transferred from Aqueduct date n.k.)		NA Rail 845/20
2.4.1871	Jesse Lawrence (25)	Lock keeper	Emma	Lock house (Son of Jesse L below)	Mx/Tottenham/3/4
12.9.1868	Jesse Lawrence	Lock keeper	Wishes to resign, his son to replace		NA Rail 845/16
24.8.1867	Jesse Lawrence	Lock keeper	Raised from 16/- to 20/- per week		NA Rail 845/16
8.4.1861	Jesse Laurence (38)	Lock keeper	Harriet	Lock house	Mx/Tottenham/3/1
11.2.1860	Jesse Lawrence	Lock keeper	Appointed at 16/- per week		NA Rail 845/15
21.1.1860	Edward Greay	Lock keeper	Letter resigning his duties		NA Rail 845/15
17.11.1855	William Kirby	Lock keeper	14/- per week		NA Rail 845/14
21.10.1854	William Kirby	Lock keeper	14/- per week		NA Rail 845/14
30.3.1851	William Kirby (32)	Lock keeper	Rebecca	Mill Road, The Hale	Mx/Tottenham/1c/30
21.3.1848	William Kirby	Lock keeper	...at the new lock. Wages to be raised by 2/- per week		NA Rail 845/13
7.6.1841					No Census Record

This site was last updated 03-Mar-2021