Toll Roads and Turnpikes

Prior to the mid-1700s, increased traffic and poor construction methods had left many transport routes in disrepair. Turnpike Trusts such as the Aylesbury, Thame and Shillingford Trust were established to collect tolls and finance road improvements. Trustees, including landowners and merchants, were unpaid volunteers but benefited indirectly from the improved roads through increased land values and trade opportunities.

Toll farmers paid a fixed sum to the trust and hoped to earn a profit by collecting more than that amount. William, the toll keeper at Priest End, received a weekly wage of between five and seven shillings and would have signed an oath pledging to hand over all tolls collected to the toll farmer. He worked from a small kiosk at Stribblehills.