Differing Responses to an Industrialising Economy - eTheses ...

he utilised pack-horses. He also possessed a sled, which may have been used to transport
bulkier items (such as timber) to or from the salt-pans at Droitwich. 337
William Mugg’s occupation was not given in his probate documents, but his
principal creditor was John Parr of Droitwich, ‘saltman’, who was granted administration
of his affairs. As later members of Mugg’s family were described as salters or carriers,
we can surmise that William Mugg delivered salt as well as farming in a small way. 338
William Mugg presumably died before settling his affairs with the Droitwich saltman.
The lowly status of salters is shown in two other probate inventories. John Seale’s two
horses were described as old and blind, while John Yoxall, was appraised at £11, half of
which was the value of his ‘little old cottage’ on Walkwood Common. 339
All the salters
(as most general carriers) seem to have been at the poorer end of the spectrum of
tradesmen. With a couple of old horses and pack-saddles they would go to Droitwich and
take delivery of some salt. They would then travel the highways and by-ways (including
the many roads named Salters Lane or Saltway) perhaps as far as London and beyond,
delivering the salt and making a meagre profit, if lucky. 340
This zone had many inns and alehouses. Some innholders could cater for passing
travellers on the through-routes, whereas others maybe concentrated on their local
communities. 341
Then, as now, the pub was often at the heart of parish life, hosting
337 WoRO, probate of Francis Berrick, Feckenham, husbandman, 1715, £18-1-6. The description ‘saltcarrier’
was crossed out on his inventory. ‘Pannell’ means a pannier.
338 WoRO, probate of William Mugg, Feckenham, (no occupation given), 1689/90, £32-4-8. Later
members of the family are called Mogg or Moggs rather than Mugg.
339 WoRO, probate of John Seale, Feckenham, salter, 1728, £23-13-6, and WoRO probate of John Yoxall,
Walkwood, (Feckenham), salter, 1719, £11-2-10.
340 They may be amongst the Feckenham Forest men who carried to London in the seventeenth century
(mentioned in the transport section above). Fortuitous references to local salters occur in WoRO, quarter
sessions until 1818. Their lowly status is evident and they are accused of theft. (For example, WoRO,
WoQS, 523/69, in 1791.)
341 For example, TNA, PCC probate of Richard Sawyer, Crabbs Cross, Ipsley, innholder, 1660. Crabbs
Cross lay on the London to Stourbridge road. Probably the same inn, which had one guest bed and stabling
for 6 horses. (TNA, WO30/48, Particulars of inns and alehouses in England, 1686, pp. 186-188.)
318