Differing Responses to an Industrialising Economy - eTheses ...

A Studley man, the unfortunately named John Slow, described as both ‘carrier’
and ‘wagoner’, lived modestly like most of his ilk. He had few possessions of any worth
apart from his four horses (worth £7), the gears (10s) and a wagon (£4). Situated on
Icknield Street, Studley was a useful base for carriers from Birmingham to Alcester and
beyond to the Vale of Evesham. 311
There was a lull in turnpiking in the 1730s and 1740s, but from 1750 to 1780
some vital routes were turnpiked. 312
The growing importance of communication with the
outside world created more demand for carriers, who increasingly acted as intermediaries
for fellow villagers. 313
Studley, now situated on the turnpike, continued to be the base
for carriers between Birmingham and the Vale of Evesham. The Mogg family carried
from Birmingham to Alcester twice a week and also undertook labouring jobs. 314
Another Studley carrier, Thomas Boswell, wished his family to continue the carrying
business after his death, which they duly did. They were based at a public house on the
turnpike, ideal for refreshing horses and passengers. Like many carriers, they also kept a
shop, (perhaps selling items brought from Birmingham or Evesham), and farmed,
(perhaps producing food for sale in Birmingham). 315
Studley was also home to two
higglers, who traded in small items of agricultural produce, while local overseers of the
311 Described as wagoner in WaRO, Studley parish register 1705. WoRO, probate of John Slow, Studley,
carrier, 1705, £14-5-6. Slow is the only transport worker in probate or marriage licence data for this zone
(less than 1% of the workforce). Several carriers were based at Studley in later periods.
312 For example routes to Birmingham, Stratford, Evesham, Worcester and Bromsgrove. See Appendix 15.
313 For example, WoRO, QS394/22, QS523/69 and QS534/56 refer to members of the Duggins family,
carriers and salters in Feckenham and Tardebigge. Brown in Dyer, The Self-contained village?, p. 127,
discusses the growing importance of village carriers, which was strengthened by the price of turnpike travel
which discouraged ordinary villagers from making certain journeys.
314 WaRO, Studley parish register, 1762-1778, refers to William Mogg as labourer. After his death
someone of the same name continues carrying. Pearson and Rollason’s Birmingham Directory 1777, 1780
and 1781 and Bailey’s Western and Midland Directory 1783 refer to William Mogg(s) carrying from
Birmingham to Alcester. Earlier members of the Mogg family were also in the carrying line, as salters. See
Appendix 14 for carrying routes.
315 WoRO, probate of Thomas Boswell, Studley, carrier, 1793 and WoRO, marriage licence of William
Boswell, Studley, carrier, June 1797.
313