Differing Responses to an Industrialising Economy - eTheses ...

formed part of an increasing consumer-base demanding goods not available locally. 144
Many master blacksmiths did well for themselves, owning property apart from their own
homes; one blacksmith’s probate was handled by the PCC. 145
The animal care side of the farrier’s role is demonstrated by William Westbury of
Harvington, described as both farrier and gelder in the 1770s, while one of his
apprentices probably passed on his skills to a relative who was a ‘cutter’ in Bidford in the
1820s. 146
In the nineteenth century most parishes had at least one blacksmith or farrier,
some had several. New occupational descriptors, which appear in this period include
machine-maker (mentioned above) and engineer. At this period the descriptor ‘engineer’
may have covered various meanings. George Newton of Bidford, described as an
engineer in the 1841 census, may have designed and made machines/engines or operated
an engine (perhaps at the quarry?) or may have been an early civil engineer. John Allen
Stokes of Harvington perhaps came in this last category, being described as engineer and
surveyor. 147
Later, the machine-maker, William Chambers Day of Bidford, was also
described as an iron-founder. 148
In a small way some of these villages took part in the
rural engineering industry which grew nationally in mid-century.
This was a period when those with metal-working skills adapted to new ideas,
perhaps fulfilling mainly local needs, and the likes of James Mills, the machine-maker,
144 GlosRO, probate of George Mills, Welford, blacksmith, 1747, £18-12-6. ‘Ticknyware’ was crockery
from Ticknall in Derbyshire.
145 WoRO, probate of Thomas Hawkes, Harvington, blacksmith, 1783. Also TNA, PCC probate of Simon
Bishop, Long Marston, blacksmith, 1753.
146 TNA, IR1/59, inland revenue apprenticeship books, record the apprenticeship of William Plumb to
William Westbury, Harvington, gelder, in 1775, and that of Thomas Procter to William Westbury,
Harvington, farrier in 1776, while WaRO, Bidford baptisms, 1824-27, list Benjamin Procter, cutter.
147 WoRO, Harvington 1841 census and Bentley’s Worcestershire Directory 1841.
148 WaRO, QS76, Jurors’ lists, and Bidford baptisms 1849 and 1851 census. He was also described as
gentleman and manufacturer.
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