GREENWICH COMMISSIONERS OF SEWERS

The first separate Commission for "the County of Kent from Ravensborne to Lombardes Wall", that is for Greenwich Marshes, was issued on 24 September 1624 (¹). The minutes of the Commission (called 'Orders and Proceedings') which begin in October 1625 appear therefore to be complete. The rate books prior to 1847 are lacking.

The records of the City Commissions are in the City Records Office. The other seven Commissions for the London area were superseded by the Metropolitan Commission of Sewers in 1847 and their records have therefore descended via the Metropolitan Board of Works to the London County Council.

Although the Commissions derived their powers, duties and structure from the same Act, considerable diversity developed in their organisations. This was in part due to the varying nature of the problems with which they had to deal. For example Greenwich and Poplar marshes remained open rural areas whereas by 1800 much of the Westminster area was closely built-up. The records reflect these variations in organisation and it has not therefore been possible to be entirely consistent in their arrangement.

Only general references are given to maps and plans since detailed entries for these are included in the card catalogue of maps.