Petition addressed to Sir Robert Beachcroft, Lord Mayor of London, by the "watchmen plying at Battle Bridge Stares in Southwark," complaining of the "utter obstruction" caused to their livelihoods by "new erections & buildings" by "Lord Skidemore & others" after the recent "dreadfull calamity by fire neare ye said staires [manuscript].
1712
Items
Details
Title
Petition addressed to Sir Robert Beachcroft, Lord Mayor of London, by the "watchmen plying at Battle Bridge Stares in Southwark," complaining of the "utter obstruction" caused to their livelihoods by "new erections & buildings" by "Lord Skidemore & others" after the recent "dreadfull calamity by fire neare ye said staires [manuscript].
Created/published
England?, 1712, 23 June.
Description
1 sheet ; 50 x 38 cm
Note
This is a PRELIMINARY RECORD. It may contain incorrect information. The "FAST ACC" number is a temporary call number. Please email catalog@folger.edu for assistance.
Genre/form
Manuscripts (documents)
Place of creation/publication
Great Britain -- England.
Item Details
Call number
FAST ACC 271110 (flat)
Folger-specific note
From dealer's description: "This manuscript petition was drawn up 23 June 1712 by London watchmen in Southwark in order to complain of the interference with their livelihoods caused by the erection of new buildings in the parish after a fire near Battle Bridge Stairs. Addressed by Thos. Gallington, Edward Jones, Joseph Worley, James Hopkins, Jeremy Walker and Mathew Browne “in behalfe of themselves and ye rest of ye watchmen plying at Battle Bridge Stares in Southwark” to Lord Mayor of London Sir Robert Beachcroft (d.1721), the text notes that the “petitioners (and predecessors) have time out of mind enjoyed ye priviledge of plying & getting their livelyhood at ye said stayers ... but now since ye dreadfull calamity by fire neare ye said staires; new erections & buildings by my Lord Skidmore & others” have caused the “utter obstruction hindrance & interruption of ye petitioners rights & priviledges.” Penned at the foot of the document are signatures of the “minister church wardens & other ... inhabitants of ye parish” confiming the veracity of the representation. London watchmen of the eighteenth century were often elderly and impoverished. Walking the streets with a stick and a lantern they patrolled their parishes, calling the weather and the time hourly, checking on the security of shops, escorting drunkards, hindering criminality and manning local watchhouses." Ordered from Samuel Gedge, D9206, 2018-05-18, 2018 Summer List, item 92. Purchase made possible by The Elizabeth L. Cabot Acquisitions Fund.
Folger accession
271110