A GEORGIAN JEWEL

What follows herein is, it is hoped, an example of what I would call, hard history.  Hard because it is based on original research; primary, rather than secondary source material.  It is not simply repeating what has been said or written before, it is however, hopefully, a new piece of work that, as with the ‘Fortifications’ section, and the ‘Last Orders Please’ section, will provide an insight as to how local historians can say with little fear of contradiction that that happened when, or in such a manner.  Indeed, no narrative has been provided as such, rather a chronology of sourced material from which interested persons might wish to produce their own narrative.  Unlike the prior two sections (above mentioned) of this web site, this is a very confined brief, it is restricted to establishing the dates and people involved in the construction of a new street in the town of Hull in the late 18^th century.  This is only possible because the author has possession of certain original documents pertaining to the construction and laying out of the street in question, and with the aid of fellow local historians, who have assisted in providing yet more material, in particular, Andre Brannan, whose dedication and determination should be better rewarded, and Chris Ketchell from the Local History Unit in Hull, a full and concise picture should emerge for the laying out and building of Parliament Street, Kingston upon Hull.  The author makes no apologies for the inclusion here of such a tight local issue.  Not all history, be it local or more national or internationally important can be popularist.  Much, most indeed has to be the small, the tight, the very local items, which when taken together as a whole can then provide a larger image, a more complete picture of, in this case, the history of Hull and its people.  This is something I feel we were able to add to the body historic of the town, now the city of Hull.  I have these documents, and as they are, they serve no purpose unless they come into the public domain; consequently I feel justified an adding such a restricted aspect of Hull’s history into what is after all, a web site about Yorkshire History.  Nor do I make any apology for the lack of a comprehensive narrative.  In all honesty, much of the 18^th century ‘legalese’ falls way outside my understanding and knowledge, but at the same time, from what is presented herein, it is hoped that a feel of the times as they developed, can be gained simply by the continuity of the material. 

The worthy, laudable, and distinguished men of Kingston upon Hull in the late 18^th century viewed themselves with typical middle class wealthy merchant arrogance of their time.  The town was in fact too small for them, and they wanted, needed, demanded, expansion, both of the port facilities and the land made available for building their new and fashionable homes.  Not only that, but ever burgeoning trade made it a necessity for the provision of a Legal Quay, whereby Customs and Excise officers could inspect vessels and their cargos for contraband. There was however one serious and overwhelming drawback.  The Town, had from the early years of the 14^th century, been circumvallated by a wall and ditch defensive system which was the property of the Crown and Government.   After protracted negotiations with Parliament, permission was eventually granted for the construction of an enclosed dock on the site of the town’s northern defences.  Not only that, but the entire system of wall and ditch was sold to the especially founded Hull Dock Company for the price of about £100,000.  As a consequence, work began excavating the dock, which ran east/west from Beverley Gate to the River Hull.  Shipping access to the dock was by means of a lock gate at the eastern end, which opened to the river Hull.  With the prospect of most of Hull’s more select shipping trade removing to the dock, the Trinity House, an ancient and well-established corporation in the town saw the opportunity to corner the market in catering for passengers from the ships, and the more salubrious members of the land travelling public.  To that end they funded, at great expense, the construction of a very fine inn, which they called the Neptune.  It was situated on the south side of a street called Whitefriargate, which was the main land route into the town from York and Beverley.  The Neptune however also looked directly towards the new dock, and the clientele it should bring.  The construction of the Neptune and the new street were integral, they were symbiotic almost, the same builders (George Pycock was the builder of the Neptune Inn), the same expansive view of the town’s prospects which included the inn, the new street, and the dock its self, and the same elegant style of building would result in a development any town or city in the country would be proud of.  At least that was the intention.  For the Neptune Inn the future never quite lived up to expectations.  For one thing it had tried to wrest from the then current providers, the contract for the Mail Coaches to York, and failed after an inquest and vote of innkeepers in the town had voted against the Neptune. To begin with, the Neptune Inn, then kept by Thomas Winter, and officially opened on the 22^nd November 1797, entered into the coaching business with considerable relish, boldly announcing in the local newspaper the Hull Advertiser, at the end of January 1798: 

“THOMAS WINTER

“Having taken the whole of Mr Moor’s coaches and chaises, humbly solicits a continuance of the countenance and support of Mr Moor’s friends, and of the nobility, Gentry and the Public at large.  He very sincerely returns thanks for the unbounded favours he has received during his short residence at the Neptune Inn, he flatters himself his endeavours to please in every department will ensure him that countenance and support he will ever study to deserve. 

“The coaches go to and from the Neptune Inn as Follows: 

“THE MAIL

“Sets out every day at three o’clock in the afternoon, for York, Tadcaster, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, and for any part of the road, places may be taken at Hull.  At York it meets the London and Edinburgh Mail and other coaches, and returns from York at one o’clock in the morning for Hull, where it arrives at six.

 “LIGHT COACHES

“Set out twice every day at six in the morning, and at two in the afternoon, (Sundays excepted, it going only once that day, and at eight in the morning) for York also, and returns for Hull at the same time. 

“THE SCARBOROUGH DILIGENCE

“Twice every week sets out at six o’clock in the morning, Tuesdays and Thursdays during the winter season and four times during the summer, both to and from Hull and Scarborough. 

“THE BEVERLEY STAGE

“Twice every week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, leaves Hull at nine o’clock in the morning, and leaves Beverley at four the same evening. 

“THE CAVE COACH

“Every Monday during the winter season, and every Sunday, Monday, and Thursday during the summer, sets out at seven o’clock in the morning and leaves Cave at five in the afternoon.” 

The York Mail was well established at the Cross Keys Inn, in Market Place, then kept by William Baker, who immediately responded in the pages of the Hull Advertiser of the 10^th February 1798.  The confusion, if indeed there ever was any, seems to have arisen because the Mail Coach operator had been the aforementioned Mr. Moor, but upon his closing down of business, he had sold it to Thomas Winter at the Neptune; however, William Baker at the Cross Keys, where Mr. Moor had operated the Mails from was not simply going to roll over.  The acquisition and maintenance of the Royal Mail franchise at any inn was enough to keep it in a healthy profitability, and was not to be given in lightly. 

“W. BAKER’s respects to the Public, and begs to lay before them a copy of an agreement made by the proprietors, in what manner the YORK STAGE COACHES are to be worked from Hull, (after Mr. Moor’s declining the business) and their signatures; also to afford them that a MAIL COACH cannot be removed from a contractors house, where it has been accustomed to rum from, without the concent(sic) of the General Post Office.”  

The final outcome was a feeble attempt at a compromise that soon led to the bankruptcy of Mr. Winter, and his departure from the Neptune.  From then on, the fate of the new Inn was virtually sealed.  By 1815 it was no longer a viable concern, and the Trinity House sold it off as a Custom’s House.  Not only that, but Hull itself continued to expand.  The demolition of the defences opened up new opportunities for additional docks, and by the 30^th June 1809, an even newer and more accessible dock had been built, and named as Humber Dock, which opened directly to the River Humber.  That development put paid once and for all time the Grand Design that was to be Parliament Street and the Neptune, with its vista towards the by then – Old Dock. 

The story of Parliament Street, Hull, began publicly in September 1794, with the following: 

Hull Advertiser
6th Sept. 1794
P. 2, Col. 1, 6th Adv.

 A NEW STREET IN HULL 
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN 

                THAT application is intended to be made to Parliament in the next Session, for an Act for opening and making a new Street form the north side of a Street called Whitefryer-gate, in the Town of Kingston upon Hull, opposite or nearly opposite to the site of the Building new erecting by the Corporation of the Trinity-house and intended for an Inn, to the south end of Quay-street, in the said Town; and also for building a row of Houses on each side of the said intended Street, with suitable convenience.

                                                                                                                                                                A. STOVIN

Hull, Sept. 4, 1794.

                The several Proprietors of Estates in Whitefryer-gate, Mug-house Entry, &c. likely to be wanted for the purposes above-mentioned, are requested to transmit in writing, to Mr A. Stovin, Bowl Alley Lane, their names and places of above, and also mention the situation of their respective Estate, and any other particulars they may think proper. 

It was soon followed by a more expansive explanation of proceedings, and a plea for further and additional subscribers.  The next item, published a week later (the newspapers were at that time, weekly publications) introduces the concept of a tontine, a somewhat complex idea that meant that as subscribers died, so the remainder of them were to continue with no further additions to their numbers: 

Hull Advertiser
13th Sept. 1794
P. 2, Col. 1, 3rd adv. 

SCHEME
THE MAKING OF
NEW STREET IN HULL
OF A
TONTINE SUBSCRIPTION 

                1 st.  It is proposed that Two Hundred Shares, of one hundred Pounds each, for the most valuable Lives, and a proportioned sum for Lives of its value, according to the rates mentioned below (which are very accurately calculated, and are the same as those in a Tontine at Ipswich, be subscribed for, and that the subscription Money be applied for the purpose of obtaining an Act in the next Session of Parliament for making a new Street form Whitefriar-gate opposite to the Inn now building by the Corporation of the Trinity House, to the south end of Quay-Street; and of making the said Street and building a row of good Houses on each side thereof, to be the property of the Subscribers, as afterwards more particularly is mentioned.
                2 d. Subscribers to have any number of Shares they may please, but to nominate a different life for every Share.
                3 d. A Committee to be appointed by the Subscribers from amongst themselves , for making the necessary arrangements, previously  to the application to Parliament - perusing and approving the Act - superintending the making of the Street and building of the Houses.  Taking care that the Houses are kept in repair-making necessary alterations and improvements therein-examining and auditing the accounts, and managing the concerns of the Tontine.
                4 th. The Subscription Money to be paid by instalments, as called for by the Committee, into such Bank or Banks as the Committee shall nominate, and by the Bankers to be issued to the order or the Committee.
                5 th. The Houses to be let to the best advantage, and the rents to be paid every half year, and divided amongst the Subscribers, in proportion to the number of their Shares; and as the nominees die, the rents to be paid ratably(sic) to the Subscribers who nominees are living, till there shall remain twenty surviving nominees and no more , and then the Houses to be sold, and the purchase money to be paid to the Subscribers whole Nominees are living, according to the number of their Shares.
                6 th. Should it happen (which is extremely improbable) that the subscription money prove insufficient to complete the plan, the vacant Ground to be sold and the money arising from the sale to be paid to the Subscribers according to their respective interests; or part of it to be sold, and the money arising from the sale applied in erecting Buildings on the other part, or otherwise such vacant Ground to be let upon Building Leases, as the Committee shall think best and most advantageous.
                7 th. Should the subscription be more than sufficient to pay the expences(sic) of carrying the plan into execution, no more money will of course be called for than will be necessary.
                8th. An Agent and Receiver to be appointed, who shall give a bond, with two sufficient sureties to be approved of by the Committee, for his integrity, and to be removable by the Committee for dishonesty, or any  malpractice or misbehaviour.
                9 th. All the houses to be insured from fire in one or more of the Insurance offices in London.
                10 th. For the better security both of the Subscribers or their Representatives, whose twenty Nominees shall survive, and of the Purchasers, the purchase money arising from the sale of the Houses to be paid into such Bank as the Committee for the time being shall nominate; or in default of such nomination, as a majority in number of such Subscribers or their Representatives, shall nominate for their use and as their own proper money, and the Banker’s receipts to be sufficient discharges to the Purchasers.
                11 th. If the Committee should, from any unforeseen circumstance think it imprudent to apply for an Act, the subscription money, if any has been paid, to be returned to the respective Subscription before the end of next Session of Parliament.           

RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION. 

GUILDHALL, HULL 2d. September, 1794
WRAY, Esquire, MAYOR

            “The Mayor having had before the Bench a Plan for making a new Street from “Whitefriar-gate to Quay-street in this town, which had been transmitted to him by Mr. “Stavin(?), and the same being now considered; Resolved that such Plan is worthy the “consideration of the inhabitants, and in the opinion of the Corporation will be a great “improvement to the town, if carried into execution.”

                A Subscription Paper is lodged at the office of Mr. A. Stovin in Bowl-alley Lane, where a Ground Plan of the proposed Street and Houses may be seen, and on Estimate of the probable expence(sic) of making and erecting the same.- These who intend to subscribe, are requested to do it as soon as they conveniently can, in order to allow as much time as may be for fully digesting the Plan drawing the Act &c. - there is authority for saying that not only that Messrs Picard and Outram will oppose the Scheme, but that on the contrary they approve of it.  There is no reason to apprehend any opposition should be made.

Present Subscribers. 

            The above list is not completely accurate, in some cases although a number is given it may not be right the original is very hard to read, Ed.             

                Repeated: 16th Sept. 1794 - P.2, Col. 1, 3rd adv. (last paragraph of  column may concern the above but is unreadable.) Ed.

It should be noted here that the above is dated from the 2^nd September, but not apparently recorded in the press until this publication.  The decision to include it here, rather than as the opening entry, is simply because this is how the public of Hull were introduced to the process. 

  Hull Advertiser
20th Sept. 1794
P. 3, Col. 2, 3rd adv.

            The erection of a new Street extending from Whitefriar-gate to the Dock side, as proposed to be done by Tontine subscription would be in every point of view, one of the most eligible improvements which this town has undergone for several years.  Beside the advantage of opening a spacious and elegant communication, between two places very much frequented, it would be the means of removing from one of the most beautiful Streets in the town, a place which is, at present, a receptacle for  every wretchedness. The houses of a new Street, on account of their contiguity to the dock, would be a very desirable situation for people in business, and no doubt would be taken with the greatest avidity.

                The benefit arising form a well conducted Tontine Society are now generally known.  The principle form which its emoluments arise, viz. an agreement for one person to share the property of another, when he is no longer in a condition to enjoy it himself, is as equitable as it is advantageous.  Contrary to the principle of Lotteries, and all other Societies of chance, where as individual is benefited at the expense of the rest , by this scheme the profit of one man, operates not to the injury of another.  The parents of a family may here have an opportunity of making a future provision for their children, and those who are without dependants, may secure from indigence the advanced periods of their own lives.

On the 27^th September, it was made known in the Advertiser that William Wilberforce had entered into the list of subscribers.  On the 4^th October 1794, there was published a additional list of the subscribers to the tontine: 

Hull Advertiser
4th Oct. 1794
P. 2, Col. 1, 8th adv. 

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS
FOR MAKING A
NEW STREET IN HULL,
BY A
TONTINE SUBSCRIPTION 

See the SCHEME and RATES of SUBSCRIPTION
in the Hull Advertiser of Sept. 20.

 (As previous adv. of subscribers plus the following) 

                 A Subscription Paper is lodged at the office of Mr. A. Stovin in Bowl-alley Lane, where a ground plan of the proposed Street and Houses, and an estimate of the probable of making erecting the same, may be seen.  - Those who intend to subscribe, are requested to do it as soon as they conveniently can, in order to allow as much time as  may be for fully digesting the Plan, drawing the Act, &c. before the next session of Parliament, which commences on the 4th November, and will, it is said, be of short continuance. 

The 1^st November saw a partial explanation of how the tontine was meant to operate: 

Hull Advertiser
1st Nov., 1794
P. 2, Col. 1, 6th adv. 

A NEW STREET IN HULL
AND TONTINE 

                There are at present fifty four subscribers, several of whom have TWO (shares) or more.  The subscribers since the advertisement in the HULL (ADVERTISER) of October 19th are, Mr. Mark (Fox), Weight. Two - Mr. J. Irk, Weight, One. - Mr. Wm. P(?)dg(?)n, York. (one); and Mr. M. Andrew, One.
                The estimate of the total expense(sic) of making the Street, building the Houses, &c. is under 13,000l.  As young lives will in general be terminated, it is, in all probability, rating them two low to average them at 88l. each.  Subscription would amount to 17600l. which is (generously) more money than would be called for.
                Further particulars may be known at the Office of Mr. A. STOVEN, in Bowl-alley Lane, where the Subscription paper is lodged.  Those who apply by letter, are requested to pay the postage.  Schemes at length may be had at Mr. Stoven, and of the printers of the Hull Newspapers.
                 In consequence of some doubts which have been entertained, it is thought necessary to be signified explicitly, that unless the subscription is (full), no subscriber will be called upon to pay a farthing; (?) if it be (full), except a committee be chosen, who shall think it prudent to apply for an Act.
 

            Repeated: 1st Nov. 1794 - P. 2, Col. 1, 6th adv. 

There followed a brief hiatus, which was ended with the publication in the Advertiser of the following concerning the apparent lack of interest shown by the town Corporation for the project: 

Hull Advertiser
24^th Jan., 1795
P. 3, Col. 2, H. & C.N. 8^th para. 

                Many persons we understand, are of the opinion, that the donations of the Corporation of the Mayor and Burgesses, and of the Trinity-house, towards making the proposed new Street in this town are too small; but is should be recollected, that the Mayor and Burgesses, who possesses very moderate funds, have lately expended a large sum in the Waterworks, that they are about to make a capital entrance into the town from Beverley, and that the Trinity-house are now a great deal indeed for the public, by building the new Inn; an undertaking which must greatly diminish their resources.  If the improvements made by the Corporations continue to be seconded by the public, we may expect that Hull, in a few years, will rival the most splendid town in the Kingdom. 

For the new street to be constructed, it was going to be necessary to acquire all those properties that stood on the ground where the street was intended to be and the houses that were to be built on either side of it.  Those properties included those that stood on Mug House Entry and White Dog Entry, and what follows is nothing short of corporate harassment for the owners or tenants of those properties to sell them to the tontine.  By what legal method this was achieved would seem to be a mystery, but it would seem that the power of Compulsory Purchase (and eviction) were by some means, invoked. 

11th April, 1795
P. 1, Col. 1, 1st Adv. 

NEW STREET IN HULL

THE several PROPRIETORS of HOUSES and GROUNDS which will be wanted for making the intended NEW STREET form Whitefriargate to Quay-Street in Kingston upon Hull, and building a Row of Houses on each side thereof, are requested to give in forthwith to Mr. A. Steven, Attorney at Law in Hull aforesaid, a Particular of their property, and the value which they fix thereupon, in order to enable the Committee for making the said Street, to treat for the purchase of such property

Such Properties as show a disinclination to treat, are hereby informed, that as soon as may be after the bill in Parliament shall receive Royal assent (which will be in a few days), notice will be given to them that a jury will be empanelled at the expiration of twenty one days, to assess the value of their estates. 

                                                                                By Order                                                                A. Stovin 

Hull, 8th April, 1795 

Procurement of an Act of Parliament was achieved by mid 1795 by what means again is uncertain.  The inclusion of Wm. Wilberforce in the scheme cannot however have been a disadvantage.  Royal Ascent was granted to the Act on or about the 1^st May 1795, and it was introduced as follows: 

An Act for
Laying out and Making a new street from Whitefriargate to the South End of Quay Street, within the Town and County of the Town of Kingfton upon Hull. 

35. Geo. III.
1795 

For a FULL transcript of the Act click HERE, though be forewarned, it is exceedingly long and drawn out!  It is however still well worth viewing as it provides an insight, a window into the workings of Parliament at that time, and the need for total unambiguousness.  The many and oft repeated phraseologies included therein, the excruciating minutiae, and the archaic syntax are a delightful enlightenment.  The Act, as published, is twenty and a half foolscap pages long in total, the transcript does not include page breaks. 

There then followed apparently a slump in interest for the whole project, doubt concerning its viability were published: 

Hull Advertiser
11th July, 1795
P. 2, col. 1, 11th adv. 

NEW STREET IN HULL

Notice is hereby given, that at the general Meeting of the subscribers for making a NEW STREET from Whitefriar-gate to the north end of Quay-street, in Kingston upon Hull, appointed by the Act of parliament for making the same Street, to be holden in the Grand Jury Room, in the Guild Hall, on Saturday the first day of August next, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon, it will be taken into consideration whether the scheme for making the said Street shall be abandoned, or not,(?) attendance of subscribers is particularly requested.

                                                                                                                            By order of the Committee
                                                                                                                                                A. STOVIN
                                                                                     Secretary to the Committee and Subscribers

Hull, July 9, 1795

And: 

7 Nov., 1795
P. 2, Col. 1, 5th adv.

NEW STREET, HULL 

We, the five undersigned subscribers, named in an Act of Parliament for laying out and making a NEW STREET, from Whitefriargate to the South-end of Quay-street, with the Town of Kingston upon Hull; do, in pursuance of a clause contained in the said Act, hereby give notice, that a special Meeting of the Subscribers at large will be holden in the Grand Jury Room, in the Guildhall, in Kingston upon Hull aforesaid, on Wednesday the eighteenth day of November instant, at twelve o’clock at noon precisely, to take into consideration whether the said Street shall now be made or not.

                                                                                                dated the sixth day November 1795

John Boyes
                                                                                                                                                Joseph Egginton
                                                                                                                                                John Alderson
                                                                                                                                                Thomas Riddell
                                                                                                                                               B. Metcalfe

Extracts from this and several other Acts relating to activities within the town were published under the banner below, but as the entire Act is herein contained above, there seems to be no necessity for repetition: 

 7 Nov., 1795
P 3, Col. 2, 1st adv.

This day was published, price half-a-crown, 8

AN ABSTRACT
OF THE SEVERAL
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT,
RELATING SOLELY TO
KINGSTON UPON HULL
IN WHICH THE
DOCK ACT
IN PARTICULAR  IS ABSTRACTED FULLY.

                Hull: printed and sold by W. Rawson, Bookseller; sold also by T. Browne and J. Ferraby, Booksellers, Hull

                 The Heads under which the above compilation is arranged, are-Dock-Gaol-Hackney Coachmen-Chairmen-Garmen and Porters-Nuisances-Party Walls and Cornices-Paving, Cleansing, and lighting- Playhouse-Recovery of small Debts-New Street- Trinity Church, and Burial Ground- Workhouse, and House of Correction. 

Also lately published by the same compiler, price one shilling and sixpence, in small 8 

                                                                THE LAW RESPECTING HORSES.               

                Sold by J. Butterworth, in Fleet St, and W. Clarke, New Bond-Street, London;     J. Todd, York; J. Binns, Leeds; T. Brown, Hull; J. M. Moseley & Co. Gainsborough and other Booksellers. 

Further to the passing of the Act, the following was announced: 

Hull Advertiser
2nd May 1796
P. 2, Col. 2, 2nd adv. 

NEW STREET IN HULL 

THE BILL for making a NEW STREET in Kingston upon Hull, having received the Royal Assent, and passed into law.

Notice is therefore hereby given

                That a general meeting of the Subscribers will be holden in the Grand Jury-Room in Hull, on Wednesday the thirteenth day of May instant, for the purpose of electing a Member of the Committee for managing the business of the Subscribers, in the room of Hugh Ker, Esq. deceased; and of taking into consideration what will be the best mode of taking into consideration what will be the best mode of making the said intended street, whether for the Subscribers to build the houses, or to sell or let the ground.

                Hull, 1st May, 1795                                                                                                       A.STOVIN

                 The presence of fifteen subscribers, at least, is necessary to form a meeting.

 Then it seems, there was yet further evidence of just how grand a scheme this project was intended to be:

 13 Aug., 1796
P 2, Col. 2, 1st adv.

NEW STREET, Hull 

                It having been suggested that an ornamental Arch, over which a large Room may be made across the North End of the NEW STREET, lately made from Whitefriargate to the South End of Quay-street, in Kingston upon Hull, so as to form a screen to the End of Quay street, which is narrow and irregularly built would add to the appearance of the NEW STREET, and might probably be erected by a purchaser of the two adjoining Lots of Ground, without any prejudice to the interest of Subscribers for making the Street; I do hereby, pursuant to the order of five subscribers for making the said street give notice, that a special meeting of the said subscribers will be holden in the Exchange, in Kingston upon Hull aforesaid on Monday the Twenty-second day of August instant at ten o’clock in the forenoon precisely; to take into consideration the propriety of erecting such Arch: at which meeting every subscriber is particularly requested to attend, and if he cannot attend, he is desired to vote by Proxy, deputed in writing, in order that the sentiments of the majority of the subscribers may be taken on business.

                                                                                A. Stovin
                                                                                                                Secretary to the said Subscribers

Hull, Aug. 11, 1796

 Repeated: 20 Aug., 1796 - P. 1, Col. 2, 3rd adv.

 From the above it is apparent that the street has by this date, been laid out, but in order to prevent the tender eyes of the well to do from having to view the apparently shambolic appearance of Quay Street, which had up until then, been more than tolerable, an ornamental arch was considered a necessary screen.  The arch was never built!

An auction was soon held for plots along the new street, called by this time Parliament Street. 

Hull Advertiser
6th Aug., 1796
P. 1, Col. 1, 2nd adv. 

BUILDING GROUND, HULL
-------
To be sold by auction, 

(in sundry LOTS proper for building on) 

At the house of Mrs Mary Johnson, The Cross Keys and Turk’s Head Inn, Whitefriargate, in Kingston upon Hull, on Thursday the 11th day of August instant, at three o’clock in the afternoon. 

                ALL, or considerable part of the GROUND, adjoining the NEW STREET, lately made from Whitefriargate to Quay-street, in Kingston upon Hull aforesaid, and called, PARLIAMENT- STREET.

                The purchasers are to build the fronts of their houses according to an elevation which may be seen at the office of Mr A. Stovin, in the Exchange Buildings, on Tuesday the ninth, and Wednesday the tenth instant, when further particulars may be known. 

                Hull, Aug. 1. 1796 

                above repeated 13 Aug., 1796 - P. 2, Col. 2, 2nd adv.  (the advert is the same except that it has SALE POSTPONED, above it Ed.) 

Editorial approval for the proposed arch separating the north end of Parliament Street and the south end of Quay Street was also published: 

Advertiser
20^th Aug., 1796
P. 3, Col. 1, HaCN. 8^th para. 

Amongst the many improvements which have been introduced within a few years into the town of Hull, the opening of a new street from Whitefriargate into Quay-street, is not one of the least.  And though we cannot but regret that the opening to the Dock through Quay-street is not more spacious; yet if that is impossible to be obtained, we must confess that the erection of an arch at the end of the new street will be a great addition; though we would rather see the removal of a deformity than the covering of it. 

Yet more plots of land along the street were being sold.

18 March 1797
P. 2, Col. 2, 6th adv.

FOR SALE 

                A few LOTS of GROUND in PARLIAMENT-STREET, opposite the Neptune Inn.
                A very capital STAITH and DWELLING HOUSES, on the East side of the street adjoining the Custom-House, called Old Post-House Entry.
                A House in Church-lane, in the occupation of  Mr Savage, Printer and Stationer, and two other houses &c.
                 Geneva, Tallow, Wine, &c., &c.

                                                                                                                CHARLES BROADLEY

 Hull, March 24, 1797. 

The provision in the Act for legal representation for those whose properties had been seconded, all be it with compensation was taken up by at least one complainant which was to some extent explained in the Hull Advertiser: 

Hull Advertiser
1^st March 1797
P.1, Col. 2, 1^st Item

We the undersigned, being five of the Subscribers named in the Act of Parliament, for the laying out and making of a NEW STREET, from Whitefiar-gate to the south end of Quay-Street, within the town and County of the town of Kingston upon Hull, do in pursuance of a clause contained in the said Act

Hereby give Notice

That a special Meeting of the Subscribers at large will be holden in the GRAND JURY ROOM, in the Guild Hall, in Kingston upon Hull aforesaid, on Thursday the thirteenth day of April next, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon precisely, for the purpose of taking into consideration the verdict given at the Assizes lately holden at York, in the Cause wherein Mr. William Richmond was the Plaintiff, and Mr. Aistroppe Stovin the nominal Defendant, and other business and matters relative to and connected with the said Cause ; at which meeting we particularly request the attendance of the Subscribers.

Dated the 29^th day of March, 1797.

JOHN BOYES
SIMON HORNER, junr.
JOSEPH EGGINGTON
ANTHONY ATKINSON
THOMAS RIDDELL

 Another valuable source for such a project as this can mostly be found within the Minute Books of the Quarter Sessions, as mentioned within the Act.  This extract illustrates how the mechanism for Compulsory Purchase was put into action. 

A surviving Indenture of Sale between the Committee and Samuel Martin for the new house erected and numbered 17 in the new street can be read HERE.  Dated 12^th October 1797, it is a long and windy document, but its inclusion here is very necessary.  It was only by pure chance that I happened across this document, one of those little quirks of luck that can be so fortuitous.    

Hull City Archives
Quarter Sessions Minute Books
CQA 2/6
Feast of  Epiphany, 1798 

Upon the Petition of George Jackson, Thomas Riddell, Benjamin Metcalf, Simon Horner the Younger and Anthony Atkinson five of the Trustees named in a certain Act of Parliament passed in the Reign of his present Majesty entitled an Act laying out and making a new Street from Whitefriargate to the south end of Quay Street within the Town and County of the Town of Kingston upon Hull stating to the Court that is does appear to the Counsel learned in the Law of them in the said trustees what person or persons is (as) one entitled to a certain Messuage or Tenement with the Appurtenances situate in Whitefriargate aforesaid in the said Town of Kingston upon Hull late in the occupation of John Lea(k) and which by an Inquisition when on at the House of Mary Johnson in Kingston upon Hull aforesaid on the thirtieth day of December one thousand seven hundred and ninety five before Sir Samuel Standidge, Knight and Ralph Darling, Esquire two of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the said Town and County by virtue and in pursuance of the said Act of Parliament by and upon the Oath of (such) honest and indifferent Men and such as the said Act requires the Price and satisfaction to be paid and given forthwith.  Premises was (appraised) at the sum of five hundred pounds and for which the said sum of five hundred pounds was adjudged to be paid and given to Thomas Sherlock in full for his estate and interest in the premises aforesaid  We the Justices of the Peace upon application being first made to us for that purpose on the behalf of Sir Henry Etherington Baronet and several of the persons willing to make the said new Street, do by this writing under our hands / pursuant to the power given to us by the said Act of Parliament / order and appoint that it shall be lawful for the said Sir Henry Etherington and the several other persons willing to make the said sum of Five hundred pounds so adjudged as aforesaid unto Thomas Sherlock of Redburn in the County of Lincoln (Graiser) for the use of the person or persons to whom the same has been adjudged as aforesaid to be paid over to him here or upon demand. 

                Followed by two other cases, concerning messuages or tenements occupied by Mr. Coverdale (1^st case) £394, premises owned by John Coldwell, Gent, Chelsea.  Property in Whitefriargate, messuage or tenement in Mughouse entry, latel