Differing Responses to an Industrialising Economy - eTheses ...

poor accounts name other (part-time?) hauliers and carriers. 316
Although it is assumed
that horses and to a lesser extent mules were mainly used for transporting goods,
sometimes muscle-power for pulling wagons was provided by man not beast. 317
The
zone’s turnpike tollgates needed to be manned, although no gate-keepers have come to
light before 1800. However, George Field was a ‘roadmaker’, perhaps contracted to
maintain the turnpikes. 318
Like Alcester, the Needle District lacked navigable rivers, but access to the
Severn (and foreign destinations) could be achieved via Droitwich, Bewdley and
Worcester. 319
On 10 June 1791 the Worcester and Birmingham Canal Bill received the
royal assent. The proposed canal created much work for surveyors and lawyers and the
coming of the canal to Tardebigge dramatically changed the transport situation in this
zone and also, especially during its construction, the employment situation. ‘Come now
begin delving, the Bill is obtain’d, …’ went the topical song. ‘Redditch, where the sons
of the needle reside’ and other places on the line of the canal no doubt joined in the
song’s toast: ‘health, plenty and peace, Navigation and Trade.’ 320
As the canal was
gradually extended from Birmingham towards the Needle District, it facilitated the
transport of cheaper coal to the zone. 321
316 WaRO, Studley parish register, burials 1756 and 1757 mention Thomas Frederick, higgler, while burials
1761 mention William Sanders, higgler. The latter was probably the same William Sanders who was
another Birmingham to Alcester carrier (Swinney’s Birmingham Directory 1774/5). For example, WoRO,
BA4284, Feckenham overseers of the poor accounts record payments to William Willmore for carriage and
haulage (including to London).
317 Berrow’s Worcester Journal 22 Jan. 1795 reports: ‘Friday last a wagon load of coal was brought from
Stourbridge to Feckenham drawn by ten men.’. The distance was approximately 18 miles. The report of
such a feat suggests that it was unusual, but the reason was not given. I have not found any references to
oxen being used to pull carts or wagons.
318 WaRO, QS76/3, jurors’ lists for Studley 1799-1807, recorded as being infirm.
319 Iron was brought from the Forest of Dean via Worcester, as described in the Metal section above.
320 ‘Song on obtaining the Birmingham and Worcester Canal Bill’, by JF, 5 July 1791, quoted in White, The
Worcester and Birmingham Canal, p. 20.
321 White, The Worcester and Birmingham Canal, p. 48. The canal was opened from central Birmingham
to Hopwood (near Alvechurch) in 1797. It was not completed until 1815.
314