Collection GB 0074 ACC/1262 - NEW RIVER COMPANY

0.08 linear metres

GB 0074 ACC/1262 1697 Collection 0.08 linear metres New River Company

During the late 16th century the need for a fresh water supply to the City of London became increasingly apparent. The city was served by an inadequate number of conduits, and its main source of fresh water - the River Thames - was contaminated by sewage and refuse.

After several abortive attempts at legislation, the Corporation of London finally accepted the offer of Hugh Myddelton, a goldsmith of the city, to complete a new conduit in four years. This was in 1609, and by September 1613 the work was duly completed. The conduit, known as the New River, rises from Chadwell Spring in Hertfordshire, and runs approximately 40 miles, finally ending in the Round Pond at New River Head, behind Sadlers Wells Theatre in Rosebery Avenue. As well as providing water for the citizens of London, the New River Company owned a great deal of property along the course of the river, in both Hertfordshire and London.

James I granted a charter to the New River Company in June 1619, and it was incorporated under the title of 'The Governor and Company of the New River brought from Chadwell and Amwell to London'. The seal of the company depicted the 'hand of Providence bestowing rain' upon the city and its motto was "et plui super unam civitatem" (and I rained upon one city).

Capital for the venture was provided jointly by James I and Hugh Myddelton, along with 28 other 'Adventurers'. On the incorporation of the company the two parties divided the shares between them; James I owned the King's Shares. The Adventurers' Shares were divided into 36 parts, 22 of the directors owning one part, and 7 others (including Hugh Myddelton) owning two.

The function of the company as a public utility ceased with the passing of the Metropolis Water Act in 1902. By this act the provision of London's water supply was passed from the various water companies to the newly-created Metropolitan Water Board.

As a result of this takeover, the New River Company was re-incorporated in 1904 as a modern property company. It was registered under The Companies Acts 1862-1900 as The New River Company (Limited). The Company was taken over again in 1974 by London Merchant Securities, but still exists as a separate entity within that group.

Received in 1974.

Records of the New River Company, comprising lease of a watercourse from main water pipe at back side of Saint Clement Danes to the private dwelling house of Thomas Dows, gentleman, 1697.

One item.

Available for general access.

Copyright rests with the City of London.

English

Fit

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

For further New River Company records see ACC/1953, ACC/2246, ACC/2643, ACC/2919 and ACC/3645. Records of the Company relating to the provision of water can be found among the archives of the predecessors of Thames Water (ACC/2558/NR).

For further information relating to the history of the New River Company, see "The New River: A Legal History" by Bernard Rudden, 1985 (LMA Library reference 24.215 NEW) and "Exploring the New River" by Michael Essex-Lopresti, 1986 (LMA Library reference 24.215 NEW).

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

July to October 2009 Man-made watercourses Deeds Title deeds Leases (documents) Water Drinking water Information sources Transport infrastructure Legal documents Waterways Documents Business records New River Company Company archives Law

Received in 1974.

Records of the New River Company, comprising lease of a watercourse from main water pipe at back side of Saint Clement Danes to the private dwelling house of Thomas Dows, gentleman, 1697.

One item.

Available for general access.

Copyright rests with the City of London.

• English

• Latin

English

For further New River Company records see ACC/1953, ACC/2246, ACC/2643, ACC/2919 and ACC/3645. Records of the Company relating to the provision of water can be found among the archives of the predecessors of Thames Water (ACC/2558/NR).

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• English