Manuscript, property survey

Before anyone could rebuild their house one of the City surveyors had to assess their property and write a signed report on its boundaries. The householder then showed this to officials at the Guildhall to get permission to rebuild. This document relates to the survey of post-fire properties belonging to Francis Camfeild in Goose Lane, by the City Surveyor John Oliver on the 11 and 20 April, 1668.

Prior to rebuilding each property was marked out with stakes in the ground. Some people tried to make their land bigger by moving their stakes at night! They were fined £10 (about £1,300 today) or sent to prison for three months. Disputes over the boundaries, or who should pay for the rebuilding, were taken to the Fire Court, which was set up to sort out disagreements and speed up the rebuilding process.