We recently got the opportunity to check out some of the Canal’s original construction documents. We’ll  be posting some of them here over the coming months. Please support the preservation and restoration of the Canal by communicating with state representatives and supporting organizations like Friends of the Delaware Canal.

Canal Commissioners Journal - Volume 1

J 0 U R N A L

CANAL COMMISSIONERS OF, PENNSYLVANIA

PAGE 99

Philadelphia, December 9, 1826

Resolved that the acting Commissioners respectively be authorized to contract for making fences on the banks of the Pennsylvania Canal wherever they may deem it necessary for the protection of the said banks or the crops of the land holders, and. to pay for the same when done. And also, to pay the farmers for fences already made in their proper places such sums as they may deem a reasonable compensation for the same.

CANAL COMMISSIONERS OF PENNSYLVANIA

PAGE 121

Harrisburg May 2, l827

Resolved that the Board do now appoint the following persons to be principal Engineers upon the terms of the Act of Assembly of 16th April last, viz:
William Strickland, Nathan S. Roberts, James Geddes, David B. Douglas and Simeon Guilford, and that they be respectively assigned to the following duties:
Judge Geddes to examine inc North Branch and Chester Valley.
Mr. Roberts to locate to Blairsville.
Mr. Strickland to locate lines to Northumberland and Lewistown.
Major Douglas to locate to French Creek Feeder and make the Allegheny and Lake Erie Surveys.
Mr. Guilford to attend to the Delaware Division.
Resolved that a letter be addressed to each of the above named engineers appraising each of his appointment by the Board and referring to the terms upon which agreeable to the Act of the 16th April last, the Board are authorized to engage his services.

The Yeas and Nays being called separately on these resolutions. On the first the Yeas were, Messrs Darlington, Dallas, Enoch, Lacock, Mowry, Phillips and Scott. - - " Nays None.
So this revolution was agreed to.
On the second resolution the Yeas were, Messrs Darlington, Dallas, Enoch, Lacock, Mowry, Phillips, and Scott. - - Nays none
So the second resolution was agreed to.

CANAL COMMISSION OF PENNSYLVANIA

PAGE 123

Harrisburg May 2, 1827

Letters from Messrs Strickland, Roberts, Geddes and Douglas declining an offer, Mr. Guilford accepting the appointments made by resolution of this morning, were read.

Mr. Dallas offered the following:
Resolved that the letters received from the Engineers declining the appointment made by the Board this morning, be referred to a comittee which shall take the subject into consideration, and report what measures it may be in the power of the Board to take towards the execution of the Canals and the examination of canal routes directed by the recent Act of Assembly.

The Yeas and Nays being called for on the resolution, those voting in the affirmative were were Messers Darlington, Enoch, Dallas, Lacock, Mowry, Phillips, and Scott. -- Negative None. So the resolution was agreed to.
Messrs Darlington, Dallas, Scott and Enoch were named as the Committee.

J 0 U R N A L

CANAL COMMISSIONERS OF PENNSYLVANIA

PAGE 176.

MAY-1825 -- MAY-1829

Harrisburg June 2, 1827.

Resolved that Jaries Ferguson, John Randel Jr,, John Wilson, Henry G. Sargent and Charles T. Whippo be employed as Engineers at the rate of $4.00 a day and that the folloving duties be assigned. them:
Mr. Ferguson to take charge of the Conneaut Feeder and make a survey and estimate from thence to the mouth of the French Creek
Mr. Randel to make a survey and estimate for a canal from Northumberland to the New York line.
Mr. Sargent to take charge of the Delaware Line.
Mr. Wilson to make a survey and estimate through the Chester Valley.
Mr. Whippo to make a survey from Pittsburg by Beaver to the Conneaut summit.

J O U R N A L

CANAL COMMISSIONERS OF PENNSYLVANIA

PAGE 214.

Philadelphia September 10, 1827

The following preamble and resolutions were offered for consideration:
Whereas, after suitable examination by competent Engineers it appears to the Board that a navigable canal can be constructed between a point at Bristol and a point at or near the borough of Easton at an average expense not exceeding $12,000.00 per mile, And,
Whereas, it appears that a portion of said navigable communication beginning at Bristol, and extending a distance of 18 miles, may be executed for the sum of one hundred thousand dollars. Therefore,
Resolved, That the Board with the approbation of Henry G. Sargent, their Engineer, if his Excellency the Governor shall consent thereto, do now locate a portion of the said Canal beginning at or near the mouth of Mill Creek in the said borough of Bristol, and extending thence according to the report and draft of the said Engineer, up the valley of the Delaware a distance of 18 miles.
That the dimensions of the said. canal shall be as follows:
Forty feet on the water line; twenty-five feet at bottom, ard with five feet depth of water; that the locks shall be eleven feet in width and one hundred feet within the chamber.