A Study of the Strood by W.E. Duane. Chapter 6. Page 31.

The Administrators of the Strood contd.

... contain the same conditions under which the land is held.

The system appears to have been different in the 16th Century, when the Parish appointed Strowd-keepers. On an original document headed [Note 1] "The chargs for the year of Lord god 1559", the following declaration is made:-

This Acowntt made Robt platfutt and John prentice the younger the 20th day of October anno primo Elizabeth Regina 1559 in the churche of West Mersye befor the hole paryshe and the same daye are chosen strowd keepers John Hull and Rbt Platfutt and have Receyvyd into ther hands the same daye to the use of the parisshe 16s.

The situation was not so satisfactory in the 17th Century as is illustrated by the contents of another original document circa 1685. This document was faded and some fragments were missing but after some difficulty in transcribing was overcome, it proved to be a record of a presentment to the Quarter Sessions.

[Note 2] "Whereas (       ) General Quarter Sessions of the peace held for the County of Esses on Tuesday the Eight day of (       ) in the Five and Twentieth years of the reign of our Sovreigns Lord King Charles the second of England etc. The Court being informed that the Cawsey leading from Mersey Island to Colchester called the Stroodway was very much out of repair And that John Smith, the elder and John Smith, the younger of Eastmsey, gentleman, and Thomas Smith of Abberton, gent, were feoffees intrusted with land to the value of £20.the year for the repair thereof. And having neglected the same The Court did Order that Sir William Ayloffe Bart, Sir Thoma Abdy Knt. Bart. Sir Thomas Bowes and Sir John (       ) Knt. and John Eldred and Samuel Reynolds Esqrs, six of his Matyes Justices of the (Peace of) the said Court or any two of them, should call the said trustees to Accompt (       ) speedy repair thereof, as they should think fit. Or else (       ) at the next Quarter Sessions Wee doe therefore (       )."

Note 1 ERO DP/77/25/1
Note 2 ERO Q/SB/a/2/109 - 119

Date: 1965