On 11th April, 1814, six leading Kingswear householders met to decide on charges to be introduced for the supply of water to villagers. 

It being necessary that some regulations should be adopted for the preservation & repairs of the two Cisterns, and pipes belonging thereto, for conducting the supply of water to the Inhabitants of Kingswear,   We the undersigned do agree to the following. First. That there be appointed two or more persons to Act as Conservators and that they shall collect three pence per head per annum for all and every person in the Village of Kingswear above two years of age except Publicans and that they shall pay six pence per head per annum for every person belonging to their family above two years of age, the one half to be collected immediately and the remainder in Six Months. Secondly. That the Conservators do purchase a Book into which shall be entered all the monies Received and Paid by them, which Book shall be produced Once in every Year (when all the Accompts are made up) for the inspection of the Inhabitants and that there be entered in this Book every person’s name that is liable to pay in consequence of their being benefited by the Water as also the number they are to pay for and likewise a list of all those who shall refuse or neglect to pay to the fund and it is further agreed that the names of all such as refuse or neglect to pay shall be fixed on the Door of the Conduit and also in any other place that may be thought proper and that they be excluded the benefit of the Water. Thirdly. That if any Person or Persons do Wilfully Injure the Pipes, Conduit or Cock that they shall be prosecuted for the same. And if any Person or Persons do turn the Cock purposely to waste the Water that they be fined one shilling each for every such offence. And any person giving Information shall receive one half the said fines on conviction. Mr Roope Harris Roope, Mr Daniel Farley & Mr John Poole having consented to Act as Conservators for the aforesaid Purpose, We do hereby agree to Appoint them for One Year, dated at Kingswear the Eleventh Day of April One Thousand Eight Hundred & fourteen as Witness our hands 

James     Thos    Hugh Clements  Chas Daniel R Smith Fawley H  Roope

Below are short extracts showing receipts from all water users and payments for materials and tradesmen:-

Example Payments  1814

The Inhabitants of Kingswear liable to Pay for the Water at three pence & Public Houses Six pence per  Annum to be collected half Yearly 14 June 1814

This ledger which Don Collinson holds runs from 1814 to 1840 and annually gives the names of all water users in the village and the number of residents in their houses including children. It is a wonderful source of information, beautifully handwritten, and gives insight into the community and the development of our civic services.