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Archiver > DORSET > 2000-03 > 0951941133


From: "Helen Jones" <>
Subject: Re: Industries
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2000 20:05:33 -0000


Hello Beverely
The term 'industry' can only be applied very loosely to this area of Dorset
at this time because there really wasn't anything substantial - mainly small
cottage industries. This area of Dorset did not have any canals which were
the main means of transporting goods at this and so was largely
unindustrialised. Dorset labourers were mainly agricultural and were amongst
the lowest paid in the country. This led to problems, particularly during
and after the Napoleonic wars when high corn prices combined with low wages
brought misery to southern England.

Marnhull had quarries; I don't know of anything substantial in Motcombe and
there was nothing other than agriculture in Melbury Abbas. The Manor of
Melbury Abbas was part of the Wardour Estate (and records are at the Wilts
CRO). You will find Motocmbe (and I think Marnhull) are part of the manor
of Gillingham. I don't know whether Gillingham had anything that could be
termed 'industry' at this time - there are some listers with specific
Gillingham interest; maybe they know. If you can get hold of "Bound to the
Soil" by Barbara Kerr (still in print but my copy was printed in the days
before ISBNs!) you will find a chapter on the history of the Gillingham and
Motcombe area. It gives the impression of an area relying almost entirely on
agriculture. It hasn't changed that much today.

You will find that workers moved around perhaps more than you would expect,
some on an annual basis depending on where they could find work. The word
labourer usually means agricultural labourer in this area.

I'm not sure what family you are researching in relation to your
Motocmbe/Marnhull/Melbury Abbas question - but you may be interested to know
that I think John DAVIDGE who married Anne SMALL in Melbury Abbas was
baptised in Marnhull, and that his family may have originated in Buckhorn
Weston. I think Anne Small may have been from East Knoyle, Wilts. I have
done a lot of work on these lines recently.

Helen
Helen Jones at Weymouth, Dorset, UK
List Admin Dorset-L Scammell-L

http://www.melcombe.freeserve.co.uk/
----- Original Message -----
From: BEVERLY COTTLE <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, February 29, 2000 7:30 PM
Subject: Industries


> Hi,
>
> Can anyone tell me what the allied industries were in Marnhull, Motcombe
> & Melbury Abbas areas in the mid 1700's and 1800's? Also were laborers
> farm workers?
>
> Thanks , Beverly
>
>
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>
>

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