West Brentford

January the 30 1798

Dear Sr.
I Received yours respecting Babers Bridge, and will
endeavour to throw every light on the subject which I have in any power
for the satisfaction of you and the Magestrates the following account meets
their approbation I shall think my self happy.

This Bridge hase been in a dangerous State for severall years
past. it hath very much occupied the conversation of the publick but I never
at aney time could learn, ever from the oldest Inhabitant in the neibourhood. by
whome the present Bridge was built, It is above Twenty three Years Since
I first had the Care Duke of Northumberland Bridges, which are very
numerous in and about Hounslow neath) My Predecessor had the same Charge
near forty years; from him I had every local information on Bridges and other
right 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 aney hath been done by the Town pike 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 induced me to obtain every information in may power at that
time looking over some ancient memorandoms I found a curious paper
The substance of which was That the prior of Harmonds worth sent John Page< no role >
and others his servants in the night time to Fish in the Earl of Cornwalls fond 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 fined and Imprisoned for the same

This is dated the 22d Year of the Reign of Esq. the 1st in the year 1294 Jonley
relate this circumstance the shed that a Bridge casted at or near the same
spot