Worcestershire,Toll Removed from Bewdley Bridge
THREE ITEMS.
Sold together with a star-shaped badge with the initials TM in the centre and loop for suspension on the reverse,
Thomas Marson was a malster living at 64 Load Street, which is the main road in Bewdley approaching the bridge. He became involved in local politics. In Berrow's Worcester Journal for 5th December 1833, he is noted as taking part in the Municipal Commission for Bewdley held at the Guildhall.
A clear impression is given of a tight-knit clique of local dignitaries carving up positions for themselves and being largely unaccountable to the local population. The Commission opens this clique up to greater scrutiny
The newspaper noted that as the "Corporation and Treasurer refused to render any account of the tolls of the bridge, a mandamus would compel them as the Corporation were liable to the repair of the bridge."
The article continues that the Commissioner said to Mr. Slade-Baker, "I call on the Treasurer to give me the information as regards the Bridge tolls and the state of the funds and I call on Mr Baker, as Treasurer, to render to me the Bridge Commissioner's accounts."
Mr Slade Baker said he should decline to do so.
Mr.Thomas Crane, also a member of the Corporation and bailiff said he had no accounts of the building of the bridge. The bridge in question had been designed by Thomas Telford and was constructed in 1798. The toll booth was only knocked down in the 1960's.
Later in the proceedings, Thomas Marson said that a great number of the inhabitants are dissatisfied with the mode of Election of the Magistrates of the Borough. "I am not satisfied on that point. It would be for the general advantage of the Hamlet of Wribbenhall if the Bewdley Magistrates were to act there. The population is about 500." He continued setting out his points. Wribbenhall is just across the river Severn on the other side of Bewdley Bridge from the main town.
One of the features of the debate is that £4000 of the Corporation's finances is unaccounted for. Until the issue is brought to the public's attention local officials seemed remarkably sanguine about the matter.
Thomas Marson continued he questioning of the power of the local worthies and arguing the cause of the wider population.
Berrow's Worcester Journal for 24th December 1835 records that "On Thursday 17th inst. a handsome silver cup was presented to Mr.T. Marson Esq. for his exertions in causing the Tolls to be taken off Bewdley Bridge.
On one side of the cup is a beautiful embossed representation of the Bridge with the motto- "Toll taken off Bewdley Bridge, 25th March 1834." On a Tablet below the following inscription is engraved.- To T. Marson Esq./ Through Whose Exertions The Above/ Toll Was Abolished/ The Cup Is Gratefully Presented By/ His Friends.
Marson died in 1841 aged sixty-eight.
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