Entries on the Turnpike Trustees list covering the Upper Thames Valley

[Abiam2]

I found the above with some names I am interested in.  Does anyone know how I can find out more? 

Each name has letters and a date ie.

Henry Tuckwell BB 1770
Humphrey Tuckwell CC 1821  BB1832  BC 1834
John Tuckwell  CC1821
John Tuckwell HD1734  WW WW1752
Joseph Tuckwell WW 1752

These names are the few I am interested in.
Can anyone help, please,
Regards, Abiam

[newburychap]

Could the letters refer to the turnpike trusts in question? If so they would presumably be obvious from the preamble to the list.

[Abiam2]

Yes, there is a lot of information about routes but none on the names of the Trustees.  For example WW stands for Wallingford, Wantage and Faringdon.
It helps in the sense that I can try and find out more about Joseph Tuckwell in those three places.

But of course I was hoping for more,
Regards, Abiam

[Lesanne]

Hi Abiam,
Does this help. Link to a Turnpike interest in Oxfordshire.
Lesanne.

http://members.aol.com/Rosevear1/titlepg.htm

[Abiam2]

Hello Lesanne,

Thanks for that, but that's where I found them!  Thought much appreciated.

Abiam

[snowsell]

The Turnpike Trustees - yet another great website generously offered on Rootschat for which many thanks. I would not have found it otherwise.

My interest on there is Isaac Snowshill BB 1770 - I have him in my records as a Maltster. Could anyone please tell me if the Trustees were Innholders or Carriers or both and what was involved.

Many thanks - Jill

[newburychap]

Trustees could be from any trade - though I guess innholders and carriers had a vested interest and would perhaps not be ideal trustees.

Turnpike trusts were managed by the trustees on behalf of the parishes the road passed through. Each trust was set up by an act of parliament - I am guessing that the names on the website that stirred up this thread are those given in the act that established the relevant trust.

Before the turnpike each parish was responsible for the upkeep of the roads passing through their territory. This was a major financial burden if a major route passed through your parish. Once a turnpike was established the road users paid for the upkeep of the road through the payment of tolls. The turnpike trust managed the road and would normally let portions of the turnpike to individuals or companies who would undertake to collect the tolls and would pay the trust for the privilege. I guess that some trusts would employ toll collectors and cut out the middleman. The trust would then put the funds to use in the maintenance of the road.

I would also guess that parishes along the route would nominate trustees, people they respect and trust to do a good job for them.

To understand the role your chap played it would be wise to read the Act that established the trust. This should set out the manner by which trustees would be chosen/elected. In essence the role is much the same as being trustee for a charity - unpaid and, I'm sure, often unappreciated.

[snowsell]

Thank you very much for that, much appreciated. Kind regards, Jill

[Abiam2]

And thanks from me,
Abiam