LONDON LIFE IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY M Dorothy George ========================================================================== The following names are indexed from the book : "London Life in the Eighteenth Century" by M Dorothy George The number of names appearing in the book is not large but there are enough to be worth listing. The book is a very good description of life and conditions in London through the 1700s and early 1800s. Some of the stories of the ill-treatment of apprentices are horrendous. The book has all the appearance of being well researched, and is the outcome of a research scholarship at the London School of Economics. There are appendices with statistics of population, housing and the like, and a very extensive bibliography. I have included in this file only the descriptive sources out of a much larger bibliography. It seems to be often the case that researchers of this calibre have ready access to many sources that most of would never get anywhere near. Indexed by Mike Foster, Wellington, 1993 The book is on my own bookshelf. ========================================================================== ABRAHAM John Printer 1788, complaint against his apprentice284 ADAMS William Bidwell appr, discharged 1733, not instructed 419 AUSTIN Samuel Petition 1752 for release from his master 381 BARKER Thomas Shoemaker in St Giles, Richd Morgan his appr 418 BARNARD Ann Appr in W'minster, assaulted, age 12 232 BARRINGTON Ann 6d/week for unlockable shed, Star Ct,W'minster 91 BASTING Henry Bricklayer, W'minster (Philip Foster his appr)420 BATT Mr Upper Ch/warden St Pancras Open Vestry 1722 249 BEADLE Michael Shoemaker in St Giles, Richd Morgan his appr 418 BEALL George St Martins, house carver, Edwd Carr his appr 419 BEARE Thomas Engraver Holborn, business failed, 1766 422 BENNETT Sarah Appr dischd from Geo Good 1750, ill used 421 BESSWICK John Appr to Peter Steel, release 1719 thru injury 418 BIDWELL Joseph Carpenter St Giles in the Fields 1733 419 BINGHAM Peter Baker, Shoreditch, 1711, ill used his appr 418 BIRD Thomas Appr to Joseph Turner 1754 applied for freedom393 BISHOP Thomas Age 18, involved with Edwd Vaughan 1746 394 BLADY Francis Appr to R Lane, dischd 1747 when Lane went off420 BLAKEWAY William Account for bricklaying for him 1732 347 BONNEY Thomas Weaver, executed 1744, <21 yrs 189 BOWLER William Barber, imprisoned for debt 1748 in Fleet 421 BRADY Elizabeth Cursitor St 1795, single men as lodgers 5s/wk 93 BRASBRIDGE Mr Silversmith, est'd 1770, autobiog 1824 274 BRICKLEBANDElizabeth Shipped to Baltimore 1775, kidnapped 146 BROWN Sarah Spitalfields weaver, executed 1718 for theft 181 BROWNE Thomas Appr to J Leake who deserted him 1686 229 BROWNRIGG Mrs Midwife Fetter La, illtreated apprentices 231 BURCH John Apprentice to Robt Perryman 1772 382 CARPENTER Mary Lambeth, appr to breeches-maker 234 CARR Edward Appr released, Geo Beall's work failed 1728 419 CARTER Jack Gave evidence re appr William Martin 1733 419 CHAPMAN Thomas Printer 1828, evidence to Police Committee 276 CHARLES Mr Solicitor, Spital Sq 1838 188 CHERSLEY Mr Bricklayer Bread St Hill 1637, built 3 t'ments346 CLARK Rebecca Poor child, St Giles, appr, illtreated, 1742 383 CLARK Susannah Tried re destruction of Irish pub in Golden La119 CLARKE James Appr, disch from Wigley, ill treatment 1740 420 COLLINS Jane Subworker for a master-weaver 1766 372 CRANE Owen Irish labourer, in fight in King Street 1765 357 CUPLINN Charles Appr neglected by Simmons, dischd 1750 421 DIBDIN Thomas Appr to upholsterer, complaint vs master 1786 394 DICKENS Elizabeth Killed her apprentice but acquitted, 1748 231 DIMON William Appr to Beare, dischd 1766 422 DODD Joel Postmaster at Highworth, Wiltshire 383 DODD Richard s of Joel, appr to Wm Saul joiner 1730, lost 383 DUDFIELD Thomas Sailmaker Wapping, gave up and absconded 1737 420 DUMBLETON John Pumpmaker & kept alehouse in W'chapel 1750s 422 DURANT James Ribbon weaver 1736, killed appr but acquitted 231 EASTON John Mary Wotton was his wife's apprentice 232 EDGE Benjamin Disch from tallyman apprenticeship 1710 418 EDGERTON James Cordwainer, Irish?, went to Ireland 1724 419 EDLESTONE John Appr dischd 1753 from Tudway for ill treatment421 ELLIOTT John Apothecary, garret @ 2gs/year, no fire/window 91 ELWICK Samuel Hair-twister, gaoled, apprs destitute, 1729 419 EVANS Thomas W'sale bookseller, appr of 1785 put upon 292 FOSTER Peter Salter 1713, property in St Botolph's Without 344 FOSTER Philip Appr, deserted by master, released 1738 420 FRANCE Joe Breeches-maker, Francis Place appr to him 272 FREELAND George Stationer, drunk most nights, apprs dischd 423 GIBSON Sarah Appr discharged for bad treatment etc 1715 418 GILBERT John Knitter, ill-treated his appr Plummer 419 GILCHRIST Andrew Wardour St cabinet mkr, appr Wm Stephenson 423 GLOVER William Hat-maker, publican, employment agent 293 GOGNEY William Appr to Meach, neglected, dischd 1780 423 GOGNEY William Farrier, d 1779 ? His son also Wm Gogney. 423 GOOD George Victualler, wife illtreated appr Bennett 421 GRAYER Robert Mention in Sessions Papers 1780 397 GREEN William Appr waterman - master had no boat, 1729 383 GREEN William Barber's appr 1788, strict master 285 HALL John Coach carver, also a lodging ho., 1799 424 HALLING Thomas Bricklayer 1732, working for Mr Wm Blakeway 347 HANWAY Jonas Chmn - Ctee for Relieving Black Poor est 1786 138 HART Mary Widow, baker, Blackfriars, advt for lost appr 383 HAWKINS Robert Appr disch 1755 from Dumbleton, not instructed422 HELEY James Goldsmith, also supplied drink, went broke 419 HENDERSON John Lease in Rotherhithe c1709, bldg petition 344 HICKSON Mr Hand-loom Commissioner 1838 191 HURST Henry Appr to Jno Merchant, released 1728 419 HUTTON William Appr 1738 to silk-stocking weaving 237 JACKSON Thomas Goodman's Fields, tallyman 1710 418 JEFFERD John Appr ill used etc, disch from Jno Hall 1799 424 JONES John Cordwainer 1726, lent his appr to ch/sweep 233 JONES Richard Appr sailmaker, released from Dudfield 1737 420 KING Margaret Shared a room at 9d/week 91 LAMB John, Esq Rookery Ho, Lewisham 1770 (slave ran away) 136 LANE Robert Leather dresser, St James Westminster 420 LARKIN Nicholas Irish, wife sold milk, appr abandoned 1762 232 LE STRANGE Francis Appr to Freeland, a drunkard. Discharged 1778 423 LEAKE John Glover St Margarets W'minster 1686, absconded 229 LEE Daniel Appr to Robert St John, ill treated 1710 229 LEE Matthew Lincs > Ldn, forced into brigandage>executed 112 LUCAS William Bound apprentice by St Pancras vestry 1722 249 MARTIN William Price's appr released, master gone, 1733 419 MEACH Richard Watchmaker, neglected his apprentice, 1770s 423 MERCHANT John Barber Poland St, failed to feed his appr 419 MEREDITH Richard Aged 5, bound appr in St Giles' till 24 ! 246 METEYARD Sarah Haberdasher. Executed, murdered apprentice 231 MITCHELL Alexander Clapton 1794, living in a 1-room shed 91 MORGAN Richard Appr, released, ill usage by M Beadle 1717 418 MORRIS Richard Appr to cabinetmaker 1787 394 NAIRNE Edward Optician, complaint against apprentice 285 NEALE Mary Appr, released from Elizabeth Prendergast 1721418 NELTHORPE Edward Esq 1709, held 55yr lease of Conduit Mead 344 NEWBEE William Wapping shoemaker, brutal to his apprentice 381 NEWTON William Appr dischd 1757, abused by master Noakes 422 NICHOLS Ann Washerwoman in Hackney 1753 207 NOAKES James Watchmaker Charter Ho Sq, 1757 422 NORBURY John Weaver in Spitalfields 1760 182 NORFOLK George Turnmill St, fish/vegetable dealer 1752 381 NORTHGOOD Mrs Jane Gave securities to Parish of St James 1699 379 ODELL Thomas Playhouse Gt Alie St, Goodmans Fields 1729 287 OLDBARROW Mr Cotton spinner, Mellor 257 OWEN Robert Assistant to haberdasher 1786 207 PACK Richard His son appr to Wm Taylor, discharged 1814 424 PACKER Richard Appr to cabinetmaker, ill-treated 1787 394 PATERSON Nathaniel Silk throwster 1765 371 PAYSWORTH Robert Worked for Fish St Hill Barber c 1750, age 12 395 PEARSON Thomas Throwster Goodmans fields 1753, 800 workers 184 PECK Elijah Petition to disch a poor apprentice 1770 424 PEREGOL John Master weaver, gave evidence to enquiry 1769 372 PERRY John Appr of Edgerton, abused, etc, freed 1724 419 PERRYMAN Robert Charged apprentice with absences 1722 382 PLUMMER John Gilbert's appr, released 1736 419 PORTER David Master ch/sweep, 1788 petition re apprentices 244 PRENDERGASTElizabeth Mantua maker, wrong use of her apprentice 418 PRICE Henry Tailor, St Botolph's, to New England 1733 419 PRICE Richard Weaver, Southwark, murdered apprentices 262 PRITCHARD Davis Appr to Bowler, dischd 1748 (master in gaol) 421 QUAYLE Richard Weaver, b1708 Cork, footpad, executed 189 READ Thomas Journeyman carpenter, robbed of watch 1775 299 ROGERS Richard 1637 rented & subdivided house in St Alphage 346 ROLFE John Bricklayer, Cottishall Norfolk 1785 384 ROOKSBEE John Discharged as appr 1728, aged 9 381 SAUL William Joiner, advt for his missing apprentice, 1730 383 SCOTCHER Nicholas Appr, disch from Jno Turner for cruel use 419 SHARP John Appr, ill-used & released 1740 (Jas Willis) 420 SIMMONS Walter Bricklayer > ale-house kpr, appr dischd 1750 421 SMALLMAN Betty Kept bawdy house nr Drury Lane 1746 395 SMITH Esau Appr to Wm Smith, disch 1746 for ill usage 420 SMITH William St Sepulchres Mdx, his appr Esau Smith dischd 420 ST JOHN Robert Barber & peruke maker, St Martin/Fields 229 STEEL Peter St Jas W'minster bricklayer,Jno Besswick appr 418 STEERS Thomas Lease in Rotherhithe c1709, bldg petition 344 STEPHENSON William 18, appr, ill use & neglect, dischd 1793 423 STOKES Ann Worked for clothmaker in Chew Magna, Som 1748 387 SURMAN Elizabeth (16) found starving in 1763, father d c1753 171 TAYLOR William Shoemaker Paddington, went off 1814 424 TOMKINS William Appr to silversmith 1791, treatment dispute 285 TOWNSEND Valentine Appr to chairmaker, reprimanded 285 TRAVELLY John Age 13, involved with Edwd Vaughan 1746 394 TRESSILIAN Mrs Margaret Gave securities to Parish of St James 1699 379 TUDWAY John Tinplate wkr St Giles in the Fields 1753 421 TURNER John Blacksmith St James W'minster 1729 419 TURNER Joseph Locksmith, member of Co of Needlemakers 1754 393 TYLER John Appr to Mary Hart, went missing 1730 383 VAUGHAN Edward Importuned for thievery 1746 394 VINCENT Joseph Disch from apprenticeship 1711, badly used 418 WHEELER Alice Appr to Geo Wheeler, Hanover Sq, 1735 233 WHEELER George Hanover Sq, ct case over apprentice hired out 233 WHITEMAN Sarah Theft charge 1760, sink winder 183 WIGLEY Peter Peruke maker Chancery La, bankrupt 1740 420 WILDERSPIN Samuel Started infant sch in Spitalfields 1820 191 WILLIS James Writing-master Limehouse, ill-used his appr 420 WISE Sarah Appr, disch from Elwick 1729, neglected 419 WOOD Benjamin Printer/embosser W'chapel 1717, court case 136 WOOD John Printer/embosser W'chapel 1717, court case 136 WOOD Samuel Appr, released from J Heley ill usage, 1722 419 WORTHINGTONJoanna Mantua maker, Holborn (Sarah Gibson her appr) 418 WOTTON Mary 9 yrs, stole from mistress 1735, executed 232 WRIGHT Benjamin Weaver, evidence in Sessions Papers 1780 397 ========================================================================== Here are two salutary extracts from this very informative book : Fleet marriages and the State Lottery brought ruin to many people. Before the Marriage Act of 1758, though against the canons, marriage was valid without banns or licence, at any hour, in any building, and without a clergyman. In 1686 and 1712 fines were imposed on such marriages, and they became a civil offence, but fines, like ecclesiastical penalties, were useless against those who had neither money, liberty nor credit to lose. Prisons and their precincts, being sheltering places for illicit traffic of all kinds, these marriages flourished especially in the rules of the Fleet prison; they were also performed in the Rules of the King's Bench, and in the Mint in Southwark, and by certain clergymen who chose to consider themselves outside episcopal authority. A trade sprang up in the tenements and alehouses in the Rules of the Fleet, and pliers or touts competed for custom. Pennant describes Fleet Street as it was before 1753: "in walking along the street in my youth ... I have often been tempted by the question,`Sir, will you be pleased to walk in and be married ?' Along this most lawless space was hung up the frequent sign of a male and female hand conjoined with `Marriages performed within' written beneath. A dirty fellow invited you in. The parson was seen walking before his shop, a squalid profligate fellow clad in a tattered plaid night-gown, with a fiery face and ready to couple you for a dram of gin or a roll of tobacco". There were endless ramifications in the evil consequences of these marriages. Entries in the Fleet registers could always, for a consideration, be forged, antedated, or expunged. The practice was a direct incitement to bigamy, fictitious marriage for purposes of seduction, or marriage as the result of a drunken frolic. * * * * * * * * A genealogist's worst nightmare come true ! And now a grimmer little story, a report published in 1801 : One Jouveaux, a tambour-worker, employed seventeen parish apprentice girls, and had so cruelly ill-treated and starved them that five had died "in a decline". The girls worked at embroidery on muslin from four or five in the morning till eleven or twelve at night, sometimes till two in the morning, and sometimes all night. Their food was usually bread and water, sometimes a few potatoes, sometimes rice boiled in water without salt. It was brought to them to eat at their embroidery frames. The seventeen slept in a garret on three beds. When there was no work they had Sundays to themselves, otherwise they worked on Sunday. Jouveaux moved his establishment from Hackney to Stepney Green at four o'clock one morning, because the neighbours had called out "shame". The girls' shrieks had been heard, and they had been seen seeking in the hog-trough for food. [From Times (Law Report 23/5/1801] This was a bad case, but similar conditions were not unusual. ========================================================================= A selection from Dorothy George's bibliography. This is a selection of the more descriptive books : Reminiscences 1828/30 H Angelo Early Days 1849 S. Bamford Fruits of Experience 1824 J Brasbridge Autobiography 1830 J Britton A Glimpse at the Social Conditions of the Working Classes during the early part of the present Century - J D Burn, not dated Memoirs of a Working Man 1845 T Carter A Narrative of the Life of Charlotte Clarke ... by herself 1755 Autobiography B Franklin 1915 ed W Macdonald Remarkable Occurrences in the Life of Jonas Hanway 1787 Wine and Walnuts 1823 E Hardcastle Memoirs of the late Thomas Holcroft ed by W Hazlitt 1816 The Life of William Hutton 1816 Passages of a Working Life Charles Knight 1864/65 Memoirs of Lackington 1810 13th edn Memoirs of ... J C Lettson 1817 T J Pettigrew Lives of the Norths Roger North ed A Jessopp 1890 A View of Society in High and Low Life 1781 G Parker Memoirs of Mrs Letitia Pilkington by herself 1784-1854 Recollections of the last half century 1856 J Richardson Life of Granville Sharpe P Hoare The Working Man's Way in the World, being the Autobiography of a Journeyman Printer 1853 C M Smith Nollskens and his times 1829 rep 1920 J T Smith Memoirs of my own Life and Times 1741/1814 T Somerville Memoirs of the life of the Revd Dr Trusler..by himself Bath, 1805 Memoirs of J H Vaux written by himself 1819 Ed Baron Field Memoirs Tate Wilkinson 1790 General Williamson's Diary 1912 Camden Society 3rd series Anecdotes of the Manners and Customs of London during the Eighteenth Century 1808 - a compilation from contemporary books, newspapers and official documents. 2nd ed 1810 J P Malcolm Later : English Apprenticeship and Child labour 1912 O J Dunlop The Town labourer 1760-1832 1917 J L & B Hammond The Life of Francis Place 1771-1854 1898 G Wallas This is but a small part of the total bibliography.