Saturday 28 November 2009

Rural poor in Cornwall



Whilst this book (Cornish Homes and Customs) refers specifically to the rural poor of Cornwall, I don't doubt that much of the detail was applicable to Ag. Labs. across the country.


"Owing to their poverty, the working classes of former times could rarely afford the clothing proper to protect them from the cold and wet. In the earlier part of the last century the farm labourer's working dress consisted of a coarse shirt, a pair of 'duck' (a heavy cotton) trousers not quite reaching to the ankles, a waistcoat, a smock (also made of 'duck') and low-quartered shoes - without socks or stockings. At a later date, when boots came into general use, their leather was frequently so hard from exposure that it was only with the utmost difficulty they could be drawn on. Every worker in those days,' writes Mr Charke, 'had a lace hook, for our boot leather and the laces were too obdurate for fingers alone. If you could only conceive how the men suffered in their feet in summer time from the hot earth which got into their boots, and the perspiration, you would pity them. I dare say they walked from twenty-five to thirty miles day in the course of their work, with raw and blistered feet, and there were many squeals at night when the stockings came off. The wounds! - wounds with blood! All to live, and feed others.' *1

In winter, when the fields were heavy with water, and deep in mud, straw ropes or 'thumb binds' were wound around the legs from the top of the boots to the knee, like a modern puttee. These thumb binds were made of oaten straw, and received their name from being spun around the thumb, an operation quickly performed by those who had had the necessary practice. The upper part of the body was covered with an apron and a shawl made of old sacks, whilst an ancient 'billycock' hat served as the usual headgear for all weathers. Having only one suit of clothes for everyday wear, when the men came home at night soaked to the skin, they were obliged to dry themselves before the fire; whilst the same clothes had to be put on again in the morning, often still wet and icy cold. Rheumatism in consequence was a wellnigh universal malady amongst the poor. At fifty many a man had become practically an 'ancient', having to walk on two sticks, and so stiff in his joints that when he sat down he could scarcely 'rise up' again. The children and women suffered from exposure hardly less than the men. The former were almost invariably underclothed, being frequently without shoes or stockings, or any change of linen. On Saturday nights they had to go to bed early, and naked, in order that their mothers might wash and dry such underclothes as they possessed, to be ready for use again on the Sunday morning. *2




During a frost, or in snowy weather, it was not uncommon to see boys of nine or ten years of age in the fields crying bitterly on account of the cold, and their hands so blue and numbed that they were scarcely able to grasp the frozen turnips which they would be engaged in pulling. After a long day's toil of this sort men, women, and children would return to their homes at night, worn out with fatigue, but still having the household duties - cooking, baking, sewing, or fetching water - to perform before retiring to rest. During the busy seasons of the year, the men would often contrive to cultivate their gardens by moonlight, whilst within the cottage the womenfolk were 'catching up' their various chores which had to be done in readiness for the next day's toil, which started with the dawn."


*1 'Remembrances of Life on a Farm, Old Cornwall, II, No. 2
*2 Dr R Dunstan, Western Morning News, 2 December 1929

5 comments:

  1. Golly, what a hard life indeed, we really have it good these days! I feel like going and digging the field now as I feel quite lazy sat here browsing my laptop!!!

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  2. I am shivering at the thought of their hard, cold, wet lives. Our Ag Lab ancestors would not believe the luxuries we have now. Even out in today`s wet winter fields we have warm, waterproof clothes, wellington boots and a warm house to return to.

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  3. This makes for sad reading and it is not too difficult to imagine being cold and wet--we've all been that, but always with a hot bath, dry warm clothes and hot tea or soup to restore us after the fact.
    I'm sure that the laboring classes have always had to endure such hardship--in whatever country--and for such small pay. So many have gone to an "early grave" when decent housing, nourishing food and proper clothing would have made all the difference.
    Much of our "work clothes" have come from consignment shops over the years, but there has always been a spare coat or jacket, dry socks and shoes to change into after a bout with the elements.
    We don't keep the heat very high during the winter--fuel is too pricey, but it is warm enough and there's a supply of fleece vests or a spare sweater to wear on a chilly morning, soft "throws" to snuggle under when reading in the evening.

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  4. Gives a different perspective on our own lives, makes one a little more grateful.

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  5. we are sooooo lucky we live when and where we do..... it makes a person cry and cringe just to think on how horrible life must have been....and, really...still is, in some parts of the world........

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