Invoice, receipt

This receipt refers to the payment of a bill for transporting goods from London to Bristol via fly-wagon. The receipt was issued by Edward Mitchell's Warehouse at the Old Bailey who operated fly wagons to both Bath and Bristol. The receipt includes handwritten details including the name of the sender and recipient of the goods and the date of despatch - 21 March 1823. Fly wagons transported goods to the provinces day and night. This highly organized road haulage system provided a vital link between the regional economies and the commercial centre of London. The wagons could carry loads weighing up to six tonnes, but the pace was slow. A journey between London and Exeter could take more than four days.