Differing Responses to an Industrialising Economy - eTheses ...

often well-connected compared to other tradesmen. 125
After 1715 chandlers are absent
from the zone’s archives, so perhaps the villagers were served in this respect by chandlers
in the local towns.
Wood and charcoal
Compared with other sub-districts the Champion Country was lacking in
woodland, so it is not surprising that charcoal burning is not mentioned at all over the two
centuries. The Avon allowed easy importation of charcoal and pit-coal enough for
heating and for the blacksmith’s forges. Perhaps timber was also brought in by river.
However, carpenters and other woodworkers were present in approximately the
same proportions as in other zones. 126
Most villages had their carpenter, even tiny
Dorsington and Weethley, while Welford and Bidford seem to have more than their
share. Although perhaps not much capital was needed to set up as a carpenter, it was
necessary to have suitable premises and to serve an apprenticeship. One Cleeve Prior
carpenter left money to bind one grandson apprentice to his other carpenter grandson -
one of many examples of family continuity within this trade. 127
As with all building
workers, carpenters often had to work away from their home parish. 128
Country carpenters such as those in this zone probably did not specialise as much
as their colleagues in big towns. For instance, in Bidford Thomas Hughes was described
125 Edward Bartlett of Welford was a chandler, mercer and innkeeper and of a prominent family in Stratford
upon Avon and the neighbourhood. WaRO, Welford baptisms and burials 1699-1702. TNA, IR1/44,
apprenticeship books, record the apprenticeship of his son in 1714.
126 For example, for the period 1831-1840 baptism data shows carpenters between 2.3 and 2.8% in all zones
and other woodworkers between 2.0 and 2.3% (see Table 5.6 above). Table 5.8 gives a figure of 3.5% for
(adult male) carpenters in this zone.
127 WoRO, probate of Richard Lilley alias Tustins, Cleeve Prior, carpenter, 1679/80, £24-11-4, and of
Francis Lilley alias Tustins, Cleeve Prior, carpenter, 1685, £28-12-2.
128 For example, WaRO, CR1998/LCB/26, records John Churchley, Weethley, carpenter, working on a
house in Coughton.
169