Differing Responses to an Industrialising Economy - eTheses ...

town. 130
Although in Period C the Cheston family of gentlemen-tanners were relatively
well-off with a freehold house and tanhouse in the town, 131 various sources show the
decline in the town’s tanning trade. 132
The continuing struggle for provincial tanners
may be exemplified by the bankruptcy in 1836 of Martin Charles, who later avoided
tanning and made a living as a general dealer. 133
Although tanners were plentiful in the hinterland, curriers and fellmongers were
more the preserve of the market town. Alcester records reveal a handful of curriers, who
were relatively wealthy, including Thomas Jowling, who had family connections with the
Wyre Forest, perhaps one source of bark and hides. 134
In Period C the currier, William
Haines, held property including dwelling houses and a malthouse. The trade continues
into the next generation as he leaves his son the ‘tools and tables of a currier’. 135
In the
nineteenth century Susan Haines combined her business as a currier and leather-cutter
with malting and baking. 136
Skinners and glovers dealt in wool and skins and made gloves from various types
of light, dressed leather, particularly calf, sheep and lamb skins. Clarkson states that
‘glovers and leather-dressers of western England supplied a national market’. 137
Although he stresses Cheshire, Shropshire and Herefordshire gloves, Alcester and its
hinterland may have played a part in this national trade, perhaps marketing their gloves
130 WoRO, probate of John Matthews, Alcester, tanner, 1713, £155-3-11. Also the Cheston family.
131 WoRO, probate of Thomas Cheston, Alcester, tanner, 1781 and UBD 1792. He leaves an annuity to the
minister of the congregation of protestant dissenters, a £200 bequest to his son John and the bulk of his
estate to his son Thomas who continues the business. The Chestons are the only tanners in the jurors’ lists
1772-99, (WaRO, QS76/3).
132 For example, in probate there were 2 tanners in Period A, 2 in Period B, but only 1 in Period C and 1 in
Period D.
133 PO Warwickshire Directory 1845.
134 WoRO, probate of Thomas Jowling, Alcester, currier, 1745, no inventory. Another currier’s probate
was dealt with at the PCC. (TNA, PCC probate of Richard Walter, Alcester, currier, 1739.)
135 WoRO, probate of William Haines, Alcester, currier, 1780; also in jurors’ lists, (WaRO, QS76/3).
136 Pigot’s Warwickshire Directory 1835 and PO Warwickshire Directory 1845. Maybe a widow carrying
on the business of Henry Haines.
137 Clarkson, ibid., p. 28.
99