Exeter from the banks of the canal (1827)

Lysons, Daniel and Samuel. Magna Britannia: being a concise topographical account of the several counties of Great Britain: Vol. VI., Devonshire. p. 197. London: T. Cadell, 1822. pp. 197 - 198.[…] it appears that the quay at Exeter was not made till 1563: a canal, by which lighters of 15 or 16 tons could come up from Topsham to Exeter, was begun in 1564, but the navigation was not completed before 1580. The navigation of the river was much improved in 1675, the quay levelled and walled, and a new custom-house built. A MS. Diary of occurrences in Exeter, (similar to that of Izacke,) in Mr. Chapple's Collections, under the year 1699, speaks of a water-work for bringing ships to the city, which appears to have been accomplished by the united exertions of the city and neighbourhood. ss "Very many men did begin the work, both of the city and the country. The parishes of St. Stephens and St. Lawrence wrought each one day; the several corporations did work by turns, having a drum beaten in the morning, to warn them to go to work, and a drum beaten before them in the evening, when they went home from work. The men of Alphington and St. David's did also each of them work one day a-piece; and after them they of St. Sidwell parish wrought one day; the men and women of Trinity parish one day; married women and young women decked with ribbands [sic]; the parishes of St. Petrock and St. Keryans one day; the parish of St. Mary the More one day, men and women; the worsted combers one day: the parishes did provide their dinner for them. These last parishes wrought all of them in July, 1699; M. Prestwood, Esq., of the Southhams sent about 100 men to work one day; they of St. Martin's parish one day; the parishes of St. Mary Arches and Olaves one day; they of Mary Steps, St. George's, and St. John's, one day; the parishes of St. Paul's, Allhallows, in Goldsmith Street, and St. Pancras, one day. Stoford, of Up-Lyme, Esq., sent about 100 men to work one day. From the town and parish of Crediton came a very great number, a multitude on foot, with their shovels, and after them horsemen with their pot-crooks and shovels. Those without Westgate, whom they called the Algerines, and those of St. Sidwell, whom they called Grecians, wrought one day; the parishes of Shobrook and Poltimore one day each."[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Etching

78x75mm