150 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (20th - 26th MARCH 1873)
This week's stories include the bricklayers and tailors' demands for more pay, the Great Vance comes to St Helens, the prosecutions for leaving jobs without giving notice, the Cuban slaves that were up for sale and St Thomas National School gets a glowing report from the 1870s version of Ofsted.
There were many prosecutions in the St Helens Petty Sessions this week under what was known as the Master and Servant Act. These generally fell into two categories: 1) Absent apprentices who were bound to their employer until receiving their indentures at the age of 21. Leaving their job before then was not allowed. 2) Workmen who left their place of employment without giving notice.
William Hayes was an example of the first category, apprenticed to the St Helens Newspaper's printing works in Hardshaw Street. That not only printed the paper twice a week but did other printing work too. Bernard Dromgoole, the proprietor of the Newspaper and its printing division, gave evidence that the boy had packed in work two weeks before without giving a reason.
William told the magistrates that he left because he was made to work an excessive number of hours. However, Dromgoole stated that the boy was only kept at work as long as the law allowed. The Bench ordered William to return to his work. If the lad failed to comply, then he would be hauled back into court and probably fined. Ultimately he could be sent to prison for disobeying a court order.
In the second category of quitting without notice were Thomas Farnham and Patrick Maguire. Both had been employed at the Kurtz Alkali Works in St Helens (pictured above) but had walked out two weeks earlier without giving the one-week's notice that the company required. Patrick Maguire made things far worse for himself by not turning up at the hearing and so a warrant was issued for his arrest. As a result he could expect a day or so in police custody before appearing in court.
Thomas Farnham claimed in his defence that during the last week that he worked at the chemical plant the gas inside had been "almost unbearable". He said he had complained to the foreman about it but he'd "repulsed" him and in the end felt compelled to leave. A witness called Farrell Doherty gave evidence supporting the claim of high levels of gas and declared that it had been "almost impossible" for any man to work. Thomas, he said, had been so exhausted by the gas that he had had to assist him.
However, that did not matter to the magistrates and Thomas Farnham was ordered to pay 10 shillings compensation to the firm for walking out. That was probably half a week's wages but not too high a price for the man to pay to protect his health. Of course, the chemical firm didn't care less about the ten bob. The court case was about control – sending a message to other employees who might be thinking of walking out.
During the evening of the 22nd the performer known simply as "Vance" came to St Helens to perform at the Volunteer Hall (pictured above in later years). Alfred Vance was a comic music hall singer who was so popular that he became known just by his surname, although sometimes called "The Great Vance". Part of his success was down to touring with a large company of other artistes and he was also an accomplished songwriter.
One of Vance's songs called 'Walking in the Zoo' has been cited as the earliest known use in this country of the term "OK" in its present sense. Those on the bill at the Volunteer Hall included 'The Faker of Ava', dubbed the "greatest magician in the world" and "introducing the beautiful entranced girl" – although if she was in a trance, one would have not expected her to have done very much on stage!
You often had a good idea when 19th century concerts would end if the better class of patron were expected to attend. That was because they had to arrange in advance their collection from the hall by a servant or cab driver. So adverts for such events would state: "Carriages may be ordered for such-a-time", which in the case of Vance's concert was 10pm.
People tend to forget that slavery used to take place in a number of countries and not just America and by the 1870s there were still a few places where it was legal, such as Cuba. On the 22nd the St Helens Newspaper reprinted without comment a list of slaves that had recently been up for sale in Havana. It's clear that not all slaves were sold at market but they could be bought by reading what we would call the classified sections of newspapers. This is a short, albeit shocking, extract:
• Just arrived from a plantation, a Cuban negress; aged fourteen years; there is no other negress so lusty and robust as she is; she can endure any plantation work, and can plough as well as any man.
• A female servant, thirty years of age, and her son, eight years old of very endearing manners, and can be taught to do anything. The mother can cook, wash and iron well, and has been twelve years in her present position.
• A Congo negress for field work, very humble, thirty-five years of age; can cook and wash; price, 650 dols.
• Must be sold – four young, handsome negresses, all good servants, can be had on trial; also a fine American black horse, will go in single or double harness.
School inspection reports in the 1870s were considerably shorter than the Ofsted ones of today. Each of the three schools at each place of learning – the boys, girls and infants – only received between ten and twenty lines of comment each. And they were assessed on two basic criteria – their discipline and level of instruction.
So if the children behaved well when the inspector called and could answer his written questions correctly, they would be appraised positively in both departments. Of course, they knew when the inspector was coming and so I expect the children were warned to be on their best behaviour – or else!
This week the report of St Thomas National School of St Helens was published in the Newspaper. Here are some extracts: "GIRLS' SCHOOL – The zealous mistress still maintains excellent order, and has improved the instruction of her school in those respects in which there was weakness last year. Great credit is due to the mistress for the labour she bestows upon the advancement of the education, both moral and intellectual, of her scholars, and for the success which attends it.
BOYS' SCHOOL – This is in every respect an excellent school; its discipline is thoroughly efficient; the boys are trained to habits of self-reliance and attention; and their instruction is in consequence most successful. This is one of the best schools I know, the discipline, organisation, and instruction being of unusual efficiency, and reflecting great credit upon the zeal and capacity of the master.
INFANTS' SCHOOL – The organisation of this large infants' school is carried out with skill and energy, and its condition is very creditable to the mistress. The children in the 1st class passed an individual examination with ease and success; but instruction of the children in the lower classes should be better graduated."
Also this week, the tailors and bricklayers of St Helens separately put in claims for wage increases to their respective employers. The tailors also wanted a reduction in their working week. Just what their hours then were was not stated in the newspaper account. However, their demand was to be employed on the first five days of the week for no more than 10 hours a day and on Saturdays to work a maximum of eight hours – so still a possible 58 hours in total.
Wage claims were rarely high and the tailors were only asking for an extra penny an hour, although that could amount to five shillings a week. Just how many individual tailors there were then was not stated. However, Slaters directory of 1869 lists 38 premises within the St Helens district which were described as tailors or tailor / drapers.
The bricklayers were seeking a rise to 36 shillings a week "in consideration of the increased cost of living". That was a relatively high wage but it was not all it seemed, as working outside had considerable disadvantages for the brickies. Like most workers they only got paid for the work that they did and so if the weather was bad, they could not work and so received no pay. The men argued that they lost an average of three months every year from bad weather and other causes, such as on days when their services were not needed.
St Helens Newspaper courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories include the boys illegally employed at a Liverpool Street bottle works, the elderly family that liked their grog, the annual inspection of St Helens police and the manure salesman's cheeky frauds on Rainford and Eccleston farmers.
There were many prosecutions in the St Helens Petty Sessions this week under what was known as the Master and Servant Act. These generally fell into two categories: 1) Absent apprentices who were bound to their employer until receiving their indentures at the age of 21. Leaving their job before then was not allowed. 2) Workmen who left their place of employment without giving notice.
William Hayes was an example of the first category, apprenticed to the St Helens Newspaper's printing works in Hardshaw Street. That not only printed the paper twice a week but did other printing work too. Bernard Dromgoole, the proprietor of the Newspaper and its printing division, gave evidence that the boy had packed in work two weeks before without giving a reason.
William told the magistrates that he left because he was made to work an excessive number of hours. However, Dromgoole stated that the boy was only kept at work as long as the law allowed. The Bench ordered William to return to his work. If the lad failed to comply, then he would be hauled back into court and probably fined. Ultimately he could be sent to prison for disobeying a court order.
Thomas Farnham claimed in his defence that during the last week that he worked at the chemical plant the gas inside had been "almost unbearable". He said he had complained to the foreman about it but he'd "repulsed" him and in the end felt compelled to leave. A witness called Farrell Doherty gave evidence supporting the claim of high levels of gas and declared that it had been "almost impossible" for any man to work. Thomas, he said, had been so exhausted by the gas that he had had to assist him.
However, that did not matter to the magistrates and Thomas Farnham was ordered to pay 10 shillings compensation to the firm for walking out. That was probably half a week's wages but not too high a price for the man to pay to protect his health. Of course, the chemical firm didn't care less about the ten bob. The court case was about control – sending a message to other employees who might be thinking of walking out.
One of Vance's songs called 'Walking in the Zoo' has been cited as the earliest known use in this country of the term "OK" in its present sense. Those on the bill at the Volunteer Hall included 'The Faker of Ava', dubbed the "greatest magician in the world" and "introducing the beautiful entranced girl" – although if she was in a trance, one would have not expected her to have done very much on stage!
You often had a good idea when 19th century concerts would end if the better class of patron were expected to attend. That was because they had to arrange in advance their collection from the hall by a servant or cab driver. So adverts for such events would state: "Carriages may be ordered for such-a-time", which in the case of Vance's concert was 10pm.
People tend to forget that slavery used to take place in a number of countries and not just America and by the 1870s there were still a few places where it was legal, such as Cuba. On the 22nd the St Helens Newspaper reprinted without comment a list of slaves that had recently been up for sale in Havana. It's clear that not all slaves were sold at market but they could be bought by reading what we would call the classified sections of newspapers. This is a short, albeit shocking, extract:
• Just arrived from a plantation, a Cuban negress; aged fourteen years; there is no other negress so lusty and robust as she is; she can endure any plantation work, and can plough as well as any man.
• A female servant, thirty years of age, and her son, eight years old of very endearing manners, and can be taught to do anything. The mother can cook, wash and iron well, and has been twelve years in her present position.
• A Congo negress for field work, very humble, thirty-five years of age; can cook and wash; price, 650 dols.
• Must be sold – four young, handsome negresses, all good servants, can be had on trial; also a fine American black horse, will go in single or double harness.
School inspection reports in the 1870s were considerably shorter than the Ofsted ones of today. Each of the three schools at each place of learning – the boys, girls and infants – only received between ten and twenty lines of comment each. And they were assessed on two basic criteria – their discipline and level of instruction.
So if the children behaved well when the inspector called and could answer his written questions correctly, they would be appraised positively in both departments. Of course, they knew when the inspector was coming and so I expect the children were warned to be on their best behaviour – or else!
This week the report of St Thomas National School of St Helens was published in the Newspaper. Here are some extracts: "GIRLS' SCHOOL – The zealous mistress still maintains excellent order, and has improved the instruction of her school in those respects in which there was weakness last year. Great credit is due to the mistress for the labour she bestows upon the advancement of the education, both moral and intellectual, of her scholars, and for the success which attends it.
BOYS' SCHOOL – This is in every respect an excellent school; its discipline is thoroughly efficient; the boys are trained to habits of self-reliance and attention; and their instruction is in consequence most successful. This is one of the best schools I know, the discipline, organisation, and instruction being of unusual efficiency, and reflecting great credit upon the zeal and capacity of the master.
INFANTS' SCHOOL – The organisation of this large infants' school is carried out with skill and energy, and its condition is very creditable to the mistress. The children in the 1st class passed an individual examination with ease and success; but instruction of the children in the lower classes should be better graduated."
Also this week, the tailors and bricklayers of St Helens separately put in claims for wage increases to their respective employers. The tailors also wanted a reduction in their working week. Just what their hours then were was not stated in the newspaper account. However, their demand was to be employed on the first five days of the week for no more than 10 hours a day and on Saturdays to work a maximum of eight hours – so still a possible 58 hours in total.
Wage claims were rarely high and the tailors were only asking for an extra penny an hour, although that could amount to five shillings a week. Just how many individual tailors there were then was not stated. However, Slaters directory of 1869 lists 38 premises within the St Helens district which were described as tailors or tailor / drapers.
The bricklayers were seeking a rise to 36 shillings a week "in consideration of the increased cost of living". That was a relatively high wage but it was not all it seemed, as working outside had considerable disadvantages for the brickies. Like most workers they only got paid for the work that they did and so if the weather was bad, they could not work and so received no pay. The men argued that they lost an average of three months every year from bad weather and other causes, such as on days when their services were not needed.
St Helens Newspaper courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories include the boys illegally employed at a Liverpool Street bottle works, the elderly family that liked their grog, the annual inspection of St Helens police and the manure salesman's cheeky frauds on Rainford and Eccleston farmers.
This week's stories include the bricklayers and tailors' demands for more pay, the Great Vance comes to St Helens, the prosecutions for leaving jobs without giving notice, the Cuban slaves that were up for sale and St Thomas National School gets a glowing report from the 1870s version of Ofsted.
There were many prosecutions in the St Helens Petty Sessions this week under what was known as the Master and Servant Act. These generally fell into two categories:
1) Absent apprentices who were bound to their employer until receiving their indentures at the age of 21. Leaving their job before then was not allowed.
2) Workmen who left their place of employment without giving notice.
William Hayes was an example of the first category, apprenticed to the St Helens Newspaper's printing works in Hardshaw Street. That not only printed the paper twice a week but did other printing work too.
Bernard Dromgoole, the proprietor of the Newspaper and its printing division, gave evidence that the boy had packed in work two weeks before without giving a reason.
William told the magistrates that he left because he was made to work an excessive number of hours.
However, Dromgoole stated that the boy was only kept at work as long as the law allowed.
The Bench ordered William to return to his work. If the lad failed to comply, then he would be hauled back into court and probably fined. Ultimately he could be sent to prison for disobeying a court order.
In the second category of quitting without notice were Thomas Farnham and Patrick Maguire.
Both had been employed at the Kurtz Alkali Works in St Helens (pictured above) but had walked out two weeks earlier without giving the one-week's notice that the company required.
Patrick Maguire made things far worse for himself by not turning up at the hearing and so a warrant was issued for his arrest.
As a result he could expect a day or so in police custody before appearing in court.
Thomas Farnham claimed in his defence that during the last week that he worked at the chemical plant the gas inside had been "almost unbearable".
He said he had complained to the foreman about it but he'd "repulsed" him and in the end felt compelled to leave.
A witness called Farrell Doherty gave evidence supporting the claim of high levels of gas and declared that it had been "almost impossible" for any man to work.
Thomas, he said, had been so exhausted by the gas that he had had to assist him.
However, that did not matter to the magistrates and Thomas Farnham was ordered to pay 10 shillings compensation to the firm for walking out.
That was probably half a week's wages but not too high a price for the man to pay to protect his health.
Of course, the chemical firm didn't care less about the ten bob. The court case was about control – sending a message to other employees who might be thinking of walking out.
During the evening of the 22nd the performer known simply as "Vance" came to St Helens.
Alfred Vance was a comic music hall singer who was so popular that he became known just by his surname, although sometimes called "The Great Vance".
Part of his success was down to touring with a large company of other artistes and he was also an accomplished songwriter.
One of Vance's songs called 'Walking in the Zoo' has been cited as the earliest known use in this country of the term "OK" in its present sense.
Those on the bill at the Volunteer Hall (pictured above in later years) included 'The Faker of Ava', dubbed the "greatest magician in the world" and "introducing the beautiful entranced girl" – although if she was in a trance, one would have not expected her to have done very much on stage!
You often had a good idea when 19th century concerts would end if the better class of patron were expected to attend.
That was because they had to arrange in advance their collection from the hall by a servant or cab driver.
So adverts for such events would state: "Carriages may be ordered for such-a-time", which in the case of Vance's concert was 10pm.
People tend to forget that slavery used to take place in a number of countries and not just America and by the 1870s there were still a few places where it was legal, such as Cuba.
On the 22nd the St Helens Newspaper reprinted without comment a list of slaves that had recently been up for sale in Havana.
It's clear that not all slaves were sold at market but they could be bought by reading what we would call the classified sections of newspapers. This is a short, albeit shocking, extract:
• Just arrived from a plantation, a Cuban negress; aged fourteen years; there is no other negress so lusty and robust as she is; she can endure any plantation work, and can plough as well as any man.
• A female servant, thirty years of age, and her son, eight years old of very endearing manners, and can be taught to do anything. The mother can cook, wash and iron well, and has been twelve years in her present position.
• A Congo negress for field work, very humble, thirty-five years of age; can cook and wash; price, 650 dols.
• Must be sold – four young, handsome negresses, all good servants, can be had on trial; also a fine American black horse, will go in single or double harness.
School inspection reports in the 1870s were considerably shorter than the Ofsted ones of today.
Each of the three schools at each place of learning – the boys, girls and infants – only received between ten and twenty lines of comment each.
And they were assessed on two basic criteria – their discipline and level of instruction.
So if the children behaved well when the inspector called and could answer his written questions correctly, they would be appraised positively in both departments.
Of course, they knew when the inspector was coming and so I expect the children were warned to be on their best behaviour – or else!
This week the report of St Thomas National School of St Helens was published in the Newspaper. Here are some extracts:
"GIRLS' SCHOOL – The zealous mistress still maintains excellent order, and has improved the instruction of her school in those respects in which there was weakness last year.
Great credit is due to the mistress for the labour she bestows upon the advancement of the education, both moral and intellectual, of her scholars, and for the success which attends it.
BOYS' SCHOOL – This is in every respect an excellent school; its discipline is thoroughly efficient; the boys are trained to habits of self-reliance and attention; and their instruction is in consequence most successful.
This is one of the best schools I know, the discipline, organisation, and instruction being of unusual efficiency, and reflecting great credit upon the zeal and capacity of the master.
INFANTS' SCHOOL – The organisation of this large infants' school is carried out with skill and energy, and its condition is very creditable to the mistress. The children in the 1st class passed an individual examination with ease and success; but instruction of the children in the lower classes should be better graduated."
Also this week, the tailors and bricklayers of St Helens separately put in claims for wage increases to their respective employers.
The tailors also wanted a reduction in their working week. Just what their hours then were was not stated in the newspaper account.
However, their demand was to be employed on the first five days of the week for no more than 10 hours a day and on Saturdays to work a maximum of eight hours – so still a possible 58 hours in total.
Wage claims were rarely high and the tailors were only asking for an extra penny an hour, although that could amount to five shillings a week.
Just how many individual tailors there were then was not stated. However, Slaters directory of 1869 lists 38 premises within the St Helens district which were described as tailors or tailor / drapers.
The bricklayers were seeking a rise to 36 shillings a week "in consideration of the increased cost of living".
That was a relatively high wage but it was not all it seemed, as working outside had considerable disadvantages for the brickies.
Like most workers they only got paid for the work that they did and so if the weather was bad, they could not work and so received no pay.
The men argued that they lost an average of three months every year from bad weather and other causes, such as on days when their services were not needed.
St Helens Newspaper courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories include the boys illegally employed at a Liverpool Street bottle works, the elderly family that liked their grog, the annual inspection of St Helens police and the manure salesman's cheeky frauds on Rainford and Eccleston farmers.
There were many prosecutions in the St Helens Petty Sessions this week under what was known as the Master and Servant Act. These generally fell into two categories:
1) Absent apprentices who were bound to their employer until receiving their indentures at the age of 21. Leaving their job before then was not allowed.
2) Workmen who left their place of employment without giving notice.
William Hayes was an example of the first category, apprenticed to the St Helens Newspaper's printing works in Hardshaw Street. That not only printed the paper twice a week but did other printing work too.
Bernard Dromgoole, the proprietor of the Newspaper and its printing division, gave evidence that the boy had packed in work two weeks before without giving a reason.
William told the magistrates that he left because he was made to work an excessive number of hours.
However, Dromgoole stated that the boy was only kept at work as long as the law allowed.
The Bench ordered William to return to his work. If the lad failed to comply, then he would be hauled back into court and probably fined. Ultimately he could be sent to prison for disobeying a court order.
In the second category of quitting without notice were Thomas Farnham and Patrick Maguire.
Patrick Maguire made things far worse for himself by not turning up at the hearing and so a warrant was issued for his arrest.
As a result he could expect a day or so in police custody before appearing in court.
Thomas Farnham claimed in his defence that during the last week that he worked at the chemical plant the gas inside had been "almost unbearable".
He said he had complained to the foreman about it but he'd "repulsed" him and in the end felt compelled to leave.
A witness called Farrell Doherty gave evidence supporting the claim of high levels of gas and declared that it had been "almost impossible" for any man to work.
Thomas, he said, had been so exhausted by the gas that he had had to assist him.
However, that did not matter to the magistrates and Thomas Farnham was ordered to pay 10 shillings compensation to the firm for walking out.
That was probably half a week's wages but not too high a price for the man to pay to protect his health.
Of course, the chemical firm didn't care less about the ten bob. The court case was about control – sending a message to other employees who might be thinking of walking out.
During the evening of the 22nd the performer known simply as "Vance" came to St Helens.
Alfred Vance was a comic music hall singer who was so popular that he became known just by his surname, although sometimes called "The Great Vance".
Part of his success was down to touring with a large company of other artistes and he was also an accomplished songwriter.
One of Vance's songs called 'Walking in the Zoo' has been cited as the earliest known use in this country of the term "OK" in its present sense.
You often had a good idea when 19th century concerts would end if the better class of patron were expected to attend.
That was because they had to arrange in advance their collection from the hall by a servant or cab driver.
So adverts for such events would state: "Carriages may be ordered for such-a-time", which in the case of Vance's concert was 10pm.
People tend to forget that slavery used to take place in a number of countries and not just America and by the 1870s there were still a few places where it was legal, such as Cuba.
On the 22nd the St Helens Newspaper reprinted without comment a list of slaves that had recently been up for sale in Havana.
It's clear that not all slaves were sold at market but they could be bought by reading what we would call the classified sections of newspapers. This is a short, albeit shocking, extract:
• Just arrived from a plantation, a Cuban negress; aged fourteen years; there is no other negress so lusty and robust as she is; she can endure any plantation work, and can plough as well as any man.
• A female servant, thirty years of age, and her son, eight years old of very endearing manners, and can be taught to do anything. The mother can cook, wash and iron well, and has been twelve years in her present position.
• A Congo negress for field work, very humble, thirty-five years of age; can cook and wash; price, 650 dols.
• Must be sold – four young, handsome negresses, all good servants, can be had on trial; also a fine American black horse, will go in single or double harness.
School inspection reports in the 1870s were considerably shorter than the Ofsted ones of today.
Each of the three schools at each place of learning – the boys, girls and infants – only received between ten and twenty lines of comment each.
And they were assessed on two basic criteria – their discipline and level of instruction.
So if the children behaved well when the inspector called and could answer his written questions correctly, they would be appraised positively in both departments.
Of course, they knew when the inspector was coming and so I expect the children were warned to be on their best behaviour – or else!
This week the report of St Thomas National School of St Helens was published in the Newspaper. Here are some extracts:
"GIRLS' SCHOOL – The zealous mistress still maintains excellent order, and has improved the instruction of her school in those respects in which there was weakness last year.
Great credit is due to the mistress for the labour she bestows upon the advancement of the education, both moral and intellectual, of her scholars, and for the success which attends it.
BOYS' SCHOOL – This is in every respect an excellent school; its discipline is thoroughly efficient; the boys are trained to habits of self-reliance and attention; and their instruction is in consequence most successful.
This is one of the best schools I know, the discipline, organisation, and instruction being of unusual efficiency, and reflecting great credit upon the zeal and capacity of the master.
INFANTS' SCHOOL – The organisation of this large infants' school is carried out with skill and energy, and its condition is very creditable to the mistress. The children in the 1st class passed an individual examination with ease and success; but instruction of the children in the lower classes should be better graduated."
Also this week, the tailors and bricklayers of St Helens separately put in claims for wage increases to their respective employers.
The tailors also wanted a reduction in their working week. Just what their hours then were was not stated in the newspaper account.
However, their demand was to be employed on the first five days of the week for no more than 10 hours a day and on Saturdays to work a maximum of eight hours – so still a possible 58 hours in total.
Wage claims were rarely high and the tailors were only asking for an extra penny an hour, although that could amount to five shillings a week.
Just how many individual tailors there were then was not stated. However, Slaters directory of 1869 lists 38 premises within the St Helens district which were described as tailors or tailor / drapers.
The bricklayers were seeking a rise to 36 shillings a week "in consideration of the increased cost of living".
That was a relatively high wage but it was not all it seemed, as working outside had considerable disadvantages for the brickies.
Like most workers they only got paid for the work that they did and so if the weather was bad, they could not work and so received no pay.
The men argued that they lost an average of three months every year from bad weather and other causes, such as on days when their services were not needed.
St Helens Newspaper courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories include the boys illegally employed at a Liverpool Street bottle works, the elderly family that liked their grog, the annual inspection of St Helens police and the manure salesman's cheeky frauds on Rainford and Eccleston farmers.