People who Worked on the Canal

After formal opening of the canal in 1810, the workforce ranged from executive management to specialised tradespeople and site-specific operational staff.

1. Management and Administration

The canal's high-level operations were overseen by salaried officials:

• Joseph Priestley: Serving as the General Manager or Agent, his salary was recorded at £112 10s for half a year in 1810, eventually rising to £500 per annum by 1813.
• James Crowdy: Identified as the "Principal Clerk" based in Highworth. He managed administrative expenses, law charges, and salary disbursements for other management figures.
• William Whitworth: A senior official whose salary was recorded as £131 5s for 1.25 years of service in late 1810.

2. Operational Staff (Lock Keepers and Collectors)

The day-to-day traffic of the canal was managed by a network of lock keepers and toll collectors:

• Toll Collectors: William Egelton (at Semington) and John Theobalds (at Marston) were responsible for collecting tonnage from traders. Egelton was paid £16 5s every 13 weeks, while Theobalds received £13 13s for the same period.
• Lock Keepers: These individuals lived and worked at specific lock sites. Notable names include William Hiskins (Pewsham), Charles Pettifor (Lacock), Adam Twine (7 Locks), and William Carter (Tithe Barn).
• Succession and Families: The sources highlight transitions in these roles; when lock keeper David Greenman died in 1813, his daughter, Jane Greenman, took over his duties at the West End of the 9 Mile Level. Similarly, John Carter moved from Grove Lock to become a wharfinger at Longcot, being succeeded at the lock by John Brown.

3. Wharf and Warehouse Management

Wharfingers managed the canal's landing points and warehouses:

• Samuel Plumbe: The Wharfinger at Wantage, earning an annual salary of £63 in 1814.
• Richard Clarke: Managed Sydney Wharf in Bath, where he oversaw repairs, collected wharfage, and managed local taxes.
• Thomas Howe: Managed the Bristol Warehouse at Templebacks.
• Support Staff: Staffing at these locations included porters, such as John Payne at the Abingdon Warehouse, and warehouse keepers like John Prince.

4. Specialized Trades and Laborers

The ongoing construction and maintenance of the canal infrastructure required skilled tradesmen and manual laborers:

• Carpentry: William Large was a key contractor for "sundry Carpentry Work," including making lock gates, bridges, and building the wharves and warehouses at Abingdon and Wantage.
• Masonry and Building: William Quarrell was responsible for masonry work, including the Abingdon warehouse and various culverts. Thomas Angell was a builder employed for lock houses and wharves.
• Ironwork: James Pullen, a smith, provided ironwork for the repair of bridges and locks.
• Excavation: Significant digging was performed by individuals like George Roe and William Edwards (the "Digger of the Feeder"). Abraham Hatherell is identified as a "Stone Getter".

Reference: Canal Company Ledger C, 1810-1817

Management Timeline