The Charles Close Society for the study of Ordnance Survey maps

Digital Images Archive

MPHH1-594-5

Original Plan for the westernmost part of MPHH1-132. As with MPHH1-594-3, there is a traverse to Cowfold church, but this is a superior piece of work, with traverse stations shown, the destination named, and even a milestone marked.

Perhaps uniquely, the plan includes a measured base of 82.00 chains on Horsham Common. The round figure suggests it is an approximate check-base, very different from the serious scientific measurement that had been made on Hounslow Heath.

A note top-left reads: 1794. Thomas Yeakell. Cast by Lieut Col: Twiss. 16,200 acres. Yeakell was a very experienced surveyor who would continue to work for the Survey until at least 1824. Twiss was the officer responsible for 'casting' - measuring the areas of - surveyors' plans to determine the piecework bonus to which they were entitled.