Differing Responses to an Industrialising Economy - eTheses ...

with other occupations. 166
Thomas Baylis, carrier and ‘haler’, could perhaps transport
heavy items, while other local distributors, described as higglers or hucksters, dealt in
smaller items. 167
Carriers and coaches changed their routes to provide links to canalwharves
as well as towns, and at a later date to railheads too. As noted in Zone B,
turnpike-gatekeepers or ‘farmers of tolls’ often also pursued other occupations. 168
Despite these transport developments, the numbers directly employed in transport are
small. 169
Marketing, dealing, retailing and food and drink
It is probable that there were no regular markets in this Central Belt until the
nineteenth century when Inkberrow held a weekly market. 170
However, most parishes
held at least one annual fair, which would attract outsiders to buy and sell, especially
exotic wares not readily available in the village the rest of the year. 171
Aston Cantlow
held wakes on different days in each of its six townships. 172
The fairs provided a source
of entertainment in what could be an otherwise mundane existence and a place for the
166 Such as publican, shopkeeper, fruiterer, sawyer, gamekeeper and carpenter.
167 WaRO, Wixford 1841 and 1851 censuses list Thomas Baylis. ‘Haler’ is a local variant of ‘haulier’,
perhaps indicating that he transported mainly heavy goods, e.g. stone. (In Feckenham William Willmore
was paid for ‘haling clay’ in WoRO, BA4284 (vii), Feckenham overseers of the poor accounts 1779.)
168 WaRO, Oversley, (Arrow), 1841 census, refers to Sarah Durham as a ‘farmer of tolls’. Some
gatekeepers were described under their other occupation and are therefore undetectable in census and
parish registers. WaRO and WoRO 1851 census lists more turnpike-gatekeepers for this zone than in 1841.
169 In baptisms (Table 6.6) the percentage hovers between 0.1 and 0.2% of the adult male workforce, while
Table 6.8 (1841 census) has figures of 0.7% for adult males and 0.3% for adult females. (Only one
transport worker in this zone leaves probate.)
170 Gaut, A History of Worcestershire Agriculture and Rural Evolution, p. 256. Not chartered, the origins of
Inkberrow’s market are obscure. In 1847 it had been held for some years past on Wednesday and was then
changed to Thursday. No earlier reference has come to light.
171 Aston Cantlow and Oldberrow (both in the east) held market charters in medieval times, but they were
probably defunct before 1660. See Appendices 12, 12a and 13. For more regular needs this zone’s
inhabitants would not only have traded at Alcester market, but those in the east of the zone would have
used markets at Stratford, Henley and Warwick, while those in the west would have bought and sold at
Worcester, Evesham, Pershore, Droitwich and Bromsgrove.
172 VCH Warwickshire, iii, p. 34, and see Appendix 13.
227