The Revolt of the Field in Lincs. (Use your browser's Find or Search feature to look for names.) (Simply close this window to return to the calling window.) Compliment of: Elizabeth Davies ----------------------------------------- Rex Russell's 1956 book on Agricultural Trade Unions in the 19th century "The Revolt of the Field in Lincs.", gives evidence of union meetings and disturbances culled from the newspaper "The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Herald". Some people are mentioned by name (in date order): 9th February 1872. Spilsby. "Mr WATSON, a journeyman whitesmith.." 16th February 1872. Barton. "James DIXON, a labourer..." 23rd February 1872. Market Deeping. "John HICKLING..." Horncastle. "..before Moses ELMHIRST, Esq., Thomas Wallis JAFFERY, of Hagworthingham, labourer..." Alford. "Dr. CROWTHER...Wm. JACKSON, of Huttoft... Josh. CHAPMAN, of Alford...Wm. PINCHBECK of Alford..." Withern. "Mr LUSBY..." 1st March 1872 Boston. "J MOTTERHAM, an intelligent labourer..." Holbeach. "R CAPARN, Esq.,...Rev. J.E. MOORE..." Long Sutton. "John NUTT...Geo. JOHNSON of Sutton Crosses Eastern Morning News and Hull Advertiser: 12th March 1872 "Labour and Wages at Caistor." R. COULBECK (miner), Thomas MOORE, marine store dealer, and Robert WALLER of Rothwell, labourer and shopkeeper..." 19th March 1872 "Market Rasen - labourers' meeting." Mr PAGE, solicitor, of Lincoln... The following labourers were the principal speakers: Mr FREEMAN, Market Rasen; Mr MALKINSON, Market Rasen; Mr TAYLOR, Middle Rasen; Mr PORTEOUS, Owersby; and Mr PETCH of Walesby" The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury 8th March 1872 Spalding Mr Geo. BAILEY, catsup maker... Geo. BALL of Spalding Common, labourer.. William SEWELL, a working man of Surfleet... Alford Mr. Rd. CADE.. Dr CROWTHER.. Gosberton "Charles WAITE...2 LABOURING MEN, Wm. BURWELL and -- SEWELL, of Surfleet.." 3rd May 1872 "Labourers' Association Conference at Grantham" The delegates were:- Mr BANKS, representing three societies, numbering 130 members; Geo. BALL, Spalding, 200; William FARR, Long Sutton, 200; Geo. WILSON, Spilsby Amalgamated Society, 181; John LOWE, Frieston, 20; Seth BROWN. Bourn, 56; William VOYCE, Wainfleet, 51; Charles PARKS, Ruskington and Anwick, 50; Thomas SMITH, Woolsthorpe and Belvoir, 34; Geo. Allen and William THORPE, Lincoln Labour League, 1,000; Thomas TINSLEY, Claypole, 17; John PYKETT, Hougham and Marston, 50; Thomas WELBOURNE, Welby, 30; Jesse PEATMAN, Honington and Barkston, 72; William DUFFERIN, Croxton, 35; Z. CLARKE, Spittlegate, Grantham and Dr CROWTHER, Alford District, 200." What the farm labourers were fighting for in 1872 was a 9 hour working day (not including lunch - ie. 7am - 5pm) and an increase in rates of pay from 2s 3d per day (about 12p) to 3s per day (15p). He cited evidence from the Report of the 1867 Royal Commission on the Employment of Children, Young Persons and Women in Agriculture, which found widespread evidence of child labour, which forced down the wages of the labourers, plus other evidence of inadequate cottage building, interference in education, etc. He quotes the actual words of the following people, all from the 1867 Report: Robert ASKEW, grammar school master, Kirton Lindsey Mr ASHTON, farmer, Deeping St. James Mr ASHTON, farmer, Deeping St.Nicholas Miss BOUCHERETT, of Willingham House, Market Rasen Charles BRAMLEY, of Fiskerton Hall William BROWN, farmer & churchwarden, West Butterwick James BARRICK, farmer, Barrow Mrs CAWTHORN, labourer's wife, Epworth T.W. CALTHORPE, Horkstow Hall Richard CHATTERTON, large occupier at Hallington George CLAWSON (aged 7), of Welbourn T.B. DRING,(occupier 2,000 acres), of Claxby Hon. & Rev. Charles DUNDAS, rector, rural dean & magistrate, Epworth Henry W.T. ELLIS, surgeon, Crowle W.M. EPTON, large occupier at Langton by Wragby Robt. EVERARD, Esq., magistrate, large owner and occupier, Fulney Hall, Spalding Rev. Field FLOWERS, vicar of Tealby Rev. H.T. FLETCHER, vicar of Bicker, Spalding Mr FLETCHER, schoolmaster, North & South Kyme Mrs GROCOCK, labourer's wife, Billingborough J HIGGINS, jun., Claxby Edward HENEAGE, Esq., M.P., Hainton Hall James HARRISON, labourer, Caistor Rev. Henry HALL, R.C. priest, Louth Rev. Warren B.HASTINGS, rector of Ludford Thomas HARDY, farmer, Croyland John ILES, Esq., (farms 1,000 acres wolds) Binbrook Hall Rev. E JENKINS, vicar, Billinghay J KIRMAN, relieving officer, Caistor John KINSWOOD, labourer, Ludford (This is my ancestor, and he said; "I don't like the lasses to go out to work so much; nor boys or women. There's lots of men out of work, when women and boys can get it. It's because they're cheaper. At weeding time it is so, and at turnip-dragging time in winter; women do it.") Clement LAXTON, farmer, Pinchbeck Daniel MUNDY, large occupier, Wootton J.J. MACKINTOSH, Esq., M.D. medical officer at the Union, Caistor E. MORRIS Esq., M.D., medical officer at the Union, Spalding Charles NORTH, of South Thoresby Rev. I.G. OVERTON, rector of Rothwell Rev. R. PARKER, rector of Well & Claxby, magistrate Rev. G.G. PERRY, rector & rural dean, Waddington Capt. C. PARKER, magistrate, Abbey Parks, Langtoft Rev. F. PRETYMAN, vicar, rural dean & magistrate, Great Carlton John QUINCEY, labourer, Spalding Thomas RANDELL, agent to W.Angerstein, Esq., North Owersby Thomas SOWERBY, occupier of 2,400 acres in one farm at Withcall Francis SYKES, farmer, Easttoft E. STORR, relieving officer, Spalding Rev. A. SCRIVENOR, Alvingham & Cockerington Rev. W.S. THOMASON, vicar of Burgh-le-Marsh Rev. W.P. VYNER, rector, rural dean & magistrate, Withern Rev. S.J. WARREN, vicar & magistrate, Langtoft Lizzie WILKINSON (" I'm 7; I mean I'm 11 "), Scotter Rev. E.C. WILTSHIRE, curate, Willoughton Charles WINTER, schoolmaster, Caistor Rev. F.T. WINTOUR, late rector of Hawerby John WOOLLEY, labourer, Market Rasen ----------------------------------------- *** Last updated: 21-September-2002