Differing Responses to an Industrialising Economy - eTheses ...

gentleman, who served as high constable of Barlichway Hundred in Stuart times. Tallow
was a valuable commodity - Samuel Cresser had five tons in his workhouse appraised at
£130 and ‘500 of raw tallow’ worth £5. Amongst other activities the Cressers farmed,
made malt and dealt in cider and cork. 159
After 1750 chandlers are found in several
settlements including the expanding community of Redditch. Chandlers in the Moore
family, were also maltsters, merchants, and ran a general store, while some other
chandlers are alternatively described as soap-boilers or soap-makers. 160
Wood and charcoal
As shown by Tables 7.2 and 7.4 carpenters and joiners were always present in this
zone. 161
In Table 7.6 (baptisms 1813-1840) they comprise 3.1% of fathers, while in the
1841 census the figure for adult male carpenters is 2.7%. Many do not figure in probate
records for various reasons, for example Edward Turner, who died in adolescence. 162
The term ‘joiner’ is perhaps not used as frequently in the countryside as in the town, but
one joiner’s inventory in 1673 distinguishes the different grades of timber in his
considerable store, ranging from sawn and seasoned timber, ripe ‘unhewed’ and wood ‘fit
for fire’. 163
As in other zones, some carpenters fulfilled multiple roles; in the nineteenth
century these included builder, pump-maker, well-sinker, cabinetmaker, upholsterer and
joiner.
159 WoRO, probate of John Cresser, Coughton, chandler, 1718-9, £2061-12-10, and of Samuel Cresser,
Coughton, chandler, 1721, £852-6-0. John Cresser also served as high constable of Barlichway Hundred ,
as mentioned in the previous chapter.
160 The Moore family were based in Coughton. WoRO, probate of Charles Hemming, Feckenham, (no
occupation given), 1769, is witnessed by John Hemming, Feckenham, chandler and soap-boiler.
161 For the most part sources suggest that they formed less than 3% of the adult male workforce.
162 WoRO, Feckenham burial register, 1690.
163 WoRO, probate of Richard Loxley, Coughton, joiner, 1673, £37-7-4.
281