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117
for Brainford Bridge. Fifty years later (8th January, 1739)
resolutions were passed sanctioning payment of £43 8s. 4d.
assessed upon the "Joint Parishes" for the repair of Brentford
and Chertsey Bridges; and in 1742 (10th February),
£86 16s. 8d. was paid for Brentford Bridge under a precept
from the High Constable. That the trial resulted adversely
to the Vestry may thus be safely assumed. The statement
of case submitted to counsel in 1687 is not preserved;
but it will be remembered that the Act of 1531 already
quoted, empowered the High Constable of the Hundred to
charge the cost of the repairing the bridges upon the
several parishes within the limits of his jurisdiction.
Towards the end of the seventeenth century the obligations
upon the inhabitants, cottagers and others to engage
themselves upon the roads for six appointed days in each
year were superseded, the work being thenceforwards
executed under contract. On the 6th December, 1699, the
Churchwardens were ordered to agree with any person
within the parish for the repair of the highways for seven
years at the cheapest possible rate. So far as price was
concerned—no specification of the work to be done is
preserved— they succeeded; the contract sum as reported at
the next meeting was ninety-four pounds for seven years.
23 Dec., 1706. Ordered that Henry Goslyn repair and amend the
Highways of this parish for seaven years and a Quarter, to commence
from Christmas next at the rate of £118 p. ann. to be
paide at two half yearly payments, vizt at Midsomer and
Christmas, and that Articles be drawne according to the former
agreement with the same clauses and provisoes that are
incerted in the said agreement betweene this Vestry and Mr.
Wright decd.
Tuesday, 26 Oct., 1708. Ordered that it be referred to the Churchwardens
to view the pavemts belonging to this parish and make
a report to this Yestry what condicion they are in.
Thursday, 11 th November, 1708. Ordered that the Churohwardens
enter into Articles with Geo. Norris, paviour, for repairing the
pavemts belonging to this parish at the rate of Twenty Pounds
per Ann. with usual Coventsts for Seaven years to commence
from Midsomer last.
With an annual outlay of about £138, it will not be