Collection GB 0064 XX(63010.1) - Potter's Ferry

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0064 XX(63010.1)

Title

Potter's Ferry

Date(s)

  • 1798-1884 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

3ft: 91cm

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Potter's Ferry, also known as the Isle of Dogs Ferry, connected Garden Stairs, Greenwich, with the Isle of Dogs. In 1550 Edward VI granted to Sir Thomas Wentworth (1501-1551) the lord-ships and manors of Stepney and Hackney which included rights of running the ferry. Pepys recorded that he used the ferry twice in 1665. In 1762 the ferry was purchased by the Potter's Ferry Society set up by a number of Greenwich watermen. Potter's Ferry was limited to foot passengers only until in 1812 a horse ferry was established by Act of Parliament, creating a statutory ferry for horses and vehicles in favour of the Poplar and Greenwich Ferry Company. The nineteenth century saw the Ferry Society involved in a great deal of litigation. In 1826 an act was passed confirming its rights. The ferry was leased to the Thames Steamboat Company and from them to the London and Blackwall Railway Company which became part of the Great Eastern Railway Company. Towards the end of the nineteenth century the ferry was said to be transporting 1,300,000 passengers annually. Its long history ended with the completion of the Greenwich to Millwall foot tunnel in 1902.

Archival history

GB 0064 XX(63010.1) 1798-1884 Collection 3ft: 91cm Potter's Ferry

Potter's Ferry, also known as the Isle of Dogs Ferry, connected Garden Stairs, Greenwich, with the Isle of Dogs. In 1550 Edward VI granted to Sir Thomas Wentworth (1501-1551) the lord-ships and manors of Stepney and Hackney which included rights of running the ferry. Pepys recorded that he used the ferry twice in 1665. In 1762 the ferry was purchased by the Potter's Ferry Society set up by a number of Greenwich watermen. Potter's Ferry was limited to foot passengers only until in 1812 a horse ferry was established by Act of Parliament, creating a statutory ferry for horses and vehicles in favour of the Poplar and Greenwich Ferry Company. The nineteenth century saw the Ferry Society involved in a great deal of litigation. In 1826 an act was passed confirming its rights. The ferry was leased to the Thames Steamboat Company and from them to the London and Blackwall Railway Company which became part of the Great Eastern Railway Company. Towards the end of the nineteenth century the ferry was said to be transporting 1,300,000 passengers annually. Its long history ended with the completion of the Greenwich to Millwall foot tunnel in 1902.

The papers were presented by Mr J. Doust in 1954 and by Mr A. Ferguson in 1967.

Papers relating to Potter's Ferry. The great majority are loose legal documents, 1807 to 1884, and reflect the Ferry Society's obsession with legal matters during the nineteenth century. Some include details relating to the history of the ferry and there is a copy of the original charter granted in the reign of Edward VI. There are three volumes: a minute and account book, 1832 to 1847, which includes lists of members of the Ferry Society; an account book, 1798 to 1827; and a cash book, 1813 to 1828. There is an account book of the Society, 1847 to 1878, in the Greenwich Local History Library at Woodlands.

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Please contact the Archive for further information.

English

Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .

Edited by Sarah Drewery, Sep 2011.
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.

2010-08-26 England London Tower Hamlets Potter's Ferry Transport Vehicles Vessels Boats Ferries UK Western Europe Europe Poplar Greenwich

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

The papers were presented by Mr J. Doust in 1954 and by Mr A. Ferguson in 1967.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Papers relating to Potter's Ferry. The great majority are loose legal documents, 1807 to 1884, and reflect the Ferry Society's obsession with legal matters during the nineteenth century. Some include details relating to the history of the ferry and there is a copy of the original charter granted in the reign of Edward VI. There are three volumes: a minute and account book, 1832 to 1847, which includes lists of members of the Ferry Society; an account book, 1798 to 1827; and a cash book, 1813 to 1828. There is an account book of the Society, 1847 to 1878, in the Greenwich Local History Library at Woodlands.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Conditions governing reproduction

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

National Maritime Museum

Rules and/or conventions used

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.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area