Swavesey & District History Society – November Update

November 2024 meeting. Thirty five attended a talk on Agricultural Labourers in the 19th Century by Mike Muncaster from Kimbolton. In almost everyone’s family history there are agricultural labourers. In the 1851 census general labourers were the most numerous occupational group in England but their status and rates of pay were the lowest, with two similar groups, shepherds and horse-keepers, being paid slightly more. They worked 6 days/week, usually doing a 60 hour week and joining the army, where food, clothing and shelter were provided, was often a preferred way for young men to escape the land. Even in 1914, general agricultural wages were often only 50 to 75% of what labourers got in other jobs.

Protest at the way farm workers were treated was inevitable and the first riots occurred in Ely and Littleport in May 1816. After poor wheat crops in 1815, men returning from the Napoleonic wars found high unemployment and hungry people growing angry at the high cost of bread. At Ely assizes in June, twenty four of the riot ringleaders were found guilty of which five were hanged and sentences on the others ranged from 12 months in prison to deportation to Tasmania for life. The Swing Riots were a widespread uprising in 1830/31 by agricultural workers in protest at agricultural mechanisation (the advantage of hand-threshing during winter was that it kept men out of the workhouse) and harsh working conditions along with low wages and the tithe system which required payments to support the established Anglican Church.

In November 1831 there were riots in numerous villages between Huntingdon and Peterborough and it was the largest movement of social unrest in 19th century England. Three years later at Tolpuddle in Dorset six farm labourers earning only 8 shillings per week, and with the threat of even less pay to come, were found guilty of forming a trade union by taking an oath of loyalty to each other. They were sentenced to 7 years transportation but there was such a widespread protest at the harshness of the punishment that in due course they were pardoned and brought back to England. Five were so furious at how they had been treated that they quickly emigrated to Canada.

Next meeting-

10 December. Note earlier in the month than usual. Three members give short talks on John Shepperson, Frere Cottages and Galon charity. Plus, AGM.