Researching the history of toll houses
From 1663 to 1836 many
British roads were improved by collecting tolls from travellers towards
their maintenance. Toll houses were built beside barriers across the
road, known as turnpikes, which halted the traveller for the toll to be
collected. Such toll or turnpike roads had to be approved by a Private
Act of Parliament, setting up a turnpike trust. Promoters also had to
deposit plans of turnpikes with the county, borough or parish
authorities concerned. Turnpike roads were profitable in the stagecoach
era, but tolls declined with the coming of the railways.
Most turnpike trusts were disolved in the 1880s and 1890s.
- B. Duckham, 'Turnpike Records', History vol.53 (1968).
- E. Pawson, Transport and Economy: The Turnpike Roads of Eighteenth Century Britain (1977).
- G.N. Wright, Turnpike Roads (1992).
Primary sources
Acts of Parliament: Statutes
at Large prints the long titles of all Acts from 1509.
From 1798 most Private Acts are published in two series of volumes: Local
Acts (from 1798) and Private Acts
(from 1815). The original Acts are in the House
of Lords Record Office, along with the petitions to introduce
bills, and many associated plans.- Printed material: Copies of the Private Act, printed prospectuses and opposing pamphlets may be found in local archives or libraries. Many prospectuses were published in local newspapers, along with advertisements of the leasing (by auction) of toll gates.
- Records of turnpike trusts, including minute books and accounts, are generally in the relevant county record office, deposited by solicitors (since a solicitor often acted as secretary of the trust). Plans and documents deposited with the Clerk of the Peace will also be found in the county record office, among Quarter Sessions records.
- Descriptions and images: Travellers' journals and guides. See general sources for images and maps.