February 1798

West Brentford
January the 30th. 1798.

Dear Sr.

I Received yours respecting Babers Bridge
and will endeavour to throw every light on the subject which I have
in my power for the satisfaction of you and the Magistrates
if the following Account meets their Approbation I shall think
myself happy-This Bridge has been in a dangerous State
for several Years past it hath very much occupied the Conversati-
-on of the Public but I never at any time could learn even from
the Oldest Inhabitant in the Neighbourhood by whom the
present Bridge was Built, it is above Twenty three Years
since I first had the Care of the Duke of Northumberland's
Bridges (which are very numerous in and about Hounslow
Heath) my Predecessor had the same Charge near Forty Years
from him I had every local Information on Bridges and
other rights-with respect to Baber Bridge he could give me
no other Information than that it did not belong to the Duke
of Northumberland to repair but that the small Bridge at the
East end of it belonged to the Duke;-It is highly probable
there has been no Repairs to Baber Bridge for near Sixty
Years unless any hath been done by the Turnpike Trustees
I must observe the whole of that Bridge is within the
Parish of East Bedfont former Application hath been
made to me respecting this Bridge which induces me
to obtain every information in my Power at that time
looking over some Antient Memorandums I found
a curious paper the substance of which was That the
Prior of Harmondsworth sent John Paye< no role > and others his
Servants in the night time to Fish in the Earl of Cornwalls
Pond near Baberworth Bridge within the said Earls
manor of Isleworth for which Offence they were Indicted
and found Guilty by a Jury composed of the Inhabitants
of the Hundred of Isleworth and Elthorn and were