December 1786

Mr. Chapman (of Twickenham ) deposed that he has
known the Bridge 20 Years that there used to be a great deal of Traffick
carried on that way - That he has carried 400,000 Bricks that way.

That the Road is of great Utility; the Public in General - That he could
go there times as soon Rails Head way to Richmond as he could twice the
other way - That he Recollects the Road being made Wider at the time
when the Bridge was built.

James Hierons< no role > deposed that he has known the
place more than 70 Years, that he recollects before the Bridge was built
a Plank and a Rail on the Right hand Side and the Carriages usually
forded the Water - That he Remembers the Bridge built by two Jews, Mr.
Franks and Mr. Hart, That Since it has been last built it has been
usually made use of by people in general - That at first time of Building
it, it was locked at one End by Mr. Hart and used only by him. That he
never Remembers any Accident to have happened before the Bridge was
built.

John Bell< no role > (Churchwarden ) produced Books of the
Parish of Isleworth in the Year 1729 by which it appear'd that the Parish
paid Moses Hart< no role > £20 as a proportion of the Expence of Building the Bridge
on account of the Expence they would have been put to in building a foot
Bridge there - That in October 1735 It was Ordered by the Inhabitants
that the Churchwardens should inspect the Bridge and make an Estimate
of the expence of Repairing it which Estimate amounted to £9..15s..0d.
That nothing further was then done, Inhabitants not being willing to pay.
That on 17th. Octr. 1736. It was proposed to the Consideration of the Parishioners
to Rebuild the Bridge and that the Parish should allow £30 towards
Rebuilding the same, a Sum of about £120 having been subscribed
by the neighbouring Gentry - That in the Year 1759 the Parish of
Isleworth was Indicted for not Repairing the Bridge , and the Inhabitants
were tried and acquitted - The Parish being liable only to Repair a
foot Bridge.