The Nathaniel Bacon Papers
Pier Repairs in 1609-10
A dispute over payments for the work on Cromer pier probably led to this account1 being prepared by George England for Nathaniel Bacon. It gives useful information on the structure itself and the work that was necessary. The eight volumes of the Bacon Papers published by the Norfolk Record Society are a valuable source on the history of Cromer. The letters give details of who had paid for what was due for the pier work and of those who had failed to pay to date.
A facsimile of George England's accountA note of all shuch somes of money as I George England have receaved and hade of John Blowfild for and towardes the preparacion of the peare of Cromer and leyd out as is hereafter mencioned as followeth £20 Inprimis to Robert Smithe and Nicholasse Bacon for worke donne about the peare £6 14s. Item delivered to John Sadler to the use of the peare 40s. Item more to John Springold beinge another of the peare reaves2 40s. Item to Robert Hobbe Robert Smithe and Thomas Amis for worke donne about the peare10s. 8d. Item to Mr Roger Windham for the growndedge2 of a shippe which was bought for plankes for the peare 14s. Item to Robert Springold that he leid out for plankes for the peare 17s. 10d. Item to the same Robert for his borte [?boat] to fiche them home 2s. 2d. Item to John Shortinge for fillinge fower huches [?hutches]3 in the peare 13s. 4d. Item to Gardiner beinge one of the peare reaves to the use of the peare 50s. Item to William Rye for worke that he tooke in hand to doe 10s. Item leid out for 16 pownd of hempe to make a roppe for the cranne 2s. 8d. Item to Mr Allinges for knowledge of a satisfaccion for the execution of Blowfild 6s. Item for tooe spares [spars] for the cranne 4s. 4d. Item to Nicholasse Willson for 17 dayes worke at the peare after 16d. the daye 22s. 8d. Item to him for his manne for 17 dayes after 14d. the daye 21s. Item to him for one tide 8d. Item to him for 2 mene 8 dayes 18s. 8d. Item for eyther of them a tide 16d. Item to Bacon for eighte dayes worke about the peare 9s. 8d. Summa totaliter £20 19s.
Licensing of transported grain
A further letter3 in the Bacon Papers gives details of the grain transported that could be charged for the benefit of the upkeep of Cromer pier. The grain did not necessarily have to be transported from Cromer port; it could for instance, be sent from Blakeney.
Passed upon Cromer lycence. Besydes Mr Sydneyes quantitie of 4,000 quarters which he passed gratis Wheate passed at the prices followinge, viz. 600 quarters at £18 the 100 £108 300 quarters at £16 the 100 £ 48 400 quarters at £14 the 100 £ 56 700 quarters at £12 the 100 £ 84 2,000 quarters £296 Malt & barlye passed, at prices following, viz. 1,000 quarters at £9 the 100 £ 90 900 quarters at £8 the 100 £72 1,100 quarters at £7 the 100 £77 1,000 quarters at £6 the 100 £ 60 4,000 quarters £299 Summa totalis £595
1The Papers of Nathaniel Bacon of Stiffkey, Volume VI, pp 180-181
2The pier reeves were the overseers of the pier works.
3The entry implies the purchase or use of timbers stripped from a vessel beached (paying groundage) at Cromer.
4The filling of 'huches' perhaps implies that the timber structure of the pier was infilled with flint or available cut stone. Historic Timber-built Seacoast Piers of Eastern England: Technological, Environmental and Social Contexts
5The Papers of Nathaniel Bacon of Stiffkey, Volume VI, pp 180
Ed. Alan Metters, Victor Morgan, Elizabeth Rutledge and Barry Taylor, The Papers of Nathaniel Bacon of Stiffkey Volume VI, The Papers of Nathaniel Bacon (2017), Norfolk Record Society
