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Article from Aspects
of Helmdon 1 by Val Moir
We have a wonderful aid to 19th-century research in the census records
taken every ten years from 1801 until the present day. From 1801 to
1831, only numbers of population and some occupations were recorded
and names did not appear until 1841. They may be seen at Northants Record
Office where details of the early returns and microfilm copies of 1841
and subsequent years up to 1891 are available.
The census for 1801, 1811, 1821 and 1831 took place on the night of 10/11
March, 27/28 May, 28/29 May and 30/31 May respectively and record only
the population in the area on that night, so would omit regular occupants
away from home overnight and include visitors staying in the enumeration
district. From 1801, returns gave the number of people in each parish,
the inhabited and empty houses and a rough classification of occupations
and handicrafts. In1831, males over twenty years were classed in seven
occupational categories: Agricultural, Industrial, Labouring, Manufacturing,
Professional, Retail Trades, Servants, and Others. The 1841 census took
place on the night of 6/7 June. The names of inhabitants were recorded
for the first time. For children up to the age of 14, ages to the nearest
year were recorded, but those of older people are given in five-year
groups indicated by the lower age in that group. Residents were asked
if they were born in the county. Occupations were given in many cases.
Unfortunately, no addresses were given on the 1841 census but as Rowland
Hill's introduction of the Penny Post came into operation in1840, there
would be little point in numbering houses before this time. In the later
census, road names are occasionally mentioned but many of these change
from decade to decade. The Rectory, Stocking Farm, and the Grange are
named in the returns after 1841. From 1851, the census records relationship
to the head of the household and marital status, birthplaces are usually
given by parish if in England or Wales but the country only if in Ireland
or Scotland.
The population grew gradually until 1871 when the Blisworth to Banbury
Railway was being built. At this time it reached 656, including 20 railway
labourers and their wives. Records show a fairly even distribution between
male and female. There is frequently a drop in numbers from the six
to ten age group to the eleven to fifteen year but whether this was
because young people moved away to work or early death is not clear.
Certainly in the 1881 parish records, also available in Northants Record
Office, of 14 deaths, 11 were children under the age of 15, but this
is not typical of most years.
The following tables of statistics show comparisons between the 19thcentury
census returns.
On average, during the 1841-1891 period, 64% of the inhabitants of Helmdon
were born in the village. Of the rest, the majority were born within
five miles with just three from other countries; one each from Canada,
Ireland and Scotland.
The area covered by the census has varied from time to time. For example,
Stockings Farm was added to Astwell and Falcutt in 1885.
The size of the household groups is interesting as it disproves the
theory that 'every small cottage housed families of thirteen or more'.
A large number of homes in most of the census years had only two occupants.
The large group of 17 in 1841 was a school with 13 boarding pupils,
run by Mr James Pool.
Although I have no forebears in the village, I have included a list
of family names for those with roots in Helmdon. Throughout the period,
some names have been spelt in various ways. For example, Watson was
written as Wadson in 1841 and 1851; Winmill sometimes as Windmill. The
Branson, Humphrey, Seckington, Turvey, Watson and Winmill families have
been well represented on the census returns.
One hundred years ago there were more of both farmers and servants living
in Helmdon. In general the farms were smaller that at present and of
course employed many more farm workers. In addition most farmers employed
servants in the house. It is interesting to see how young some of these
girls were; 13,14 and 15 years of age being quite common.
The occupations are listed as the enumerator of the time recorded them.
In the later years both 'Ag.Lab' (Agricultural Labourer) and 'Farm Labourer'
appear but even the Public Record Office is unable to suggest a difference
between the two. There is however a distinction between 'Farm Labourer';
and 'Farm Servant' in that a farm servant was hired on a yearly basis
to work on the land and live with the farmer's family. In Helmdon the
farm servants were aged between 13 and 21. Agricultural Labourers and
Farm Labourers were usually married men employed on either a regular
or a casual basis rather than hired for a year and they lived with their
families. The 'Farm Boys' mentioned in the 1851 returns were from 6-13
years old and lived at home with their parents, often Agricultural Labourers.
This is the same age group as the ploughboys of the 1861 census. Cordwainers
and Shoemakers are recorded in 1861. An expert from Northampton Shoe
Museum thought perhaps the cordwainer considered himself rather superior,
as there was really no difference in the trades.
Also in that year, there is and example of the various stages a craftsman
experienced before he could call himself a master of his craft. There
are three Blacksmiths, an Apprentice Blacksmith and a Journeyman Blacksmith.
The Journeyman would have completed his apprenticeship and was required
to move away from home to gain experience before setting up as a master
himself.
Among all the statistics I have found, one or two families and their
changing fortunes come alive and create a real picture of past times.
Although as far as I can trace the families are not related, both had
the same surname, Farmer.
My attention was caught by the Filiation Order dated 16th July 1828.
It read; "The overseers of the parish of Helmdon as upon oath of the
said Sarah Farmer that she was delivered of a male child on the 18th
June last past and that James Farmer of Helmdon a Chelsea Pensioner
did beget the said bastard child. One shilling and sixpence to be paid
by James Farmer to the churchwarden and overseer of the poor".
Neither Sarah nor James appears on the 1841 census but in 1851 James
Farmer age 68 is recorded as Head of Household with Sarah as "Conqubine"
age 55, daughter Ann, a lacemaker age 20 and a son George age 18 an
Agricultural Labourer. I wonder why James and Sarah didn't marry. Were
they related or was one already married? Where were they between 1828
and 1851? The problem with researching information is that there is
always more to find.
The second Farmer family must at one time have been more prosperous
than the first. I noticed them on the 1871 census when William John
Farmer age 30 farmed 720 acres at Stockings Farm, employing 20 men and
10 boys. He was away from home in 1881 when the record was taken and
died in 1889. In his will William Farmer left "£861.18.0 Gross,
Nil.Net". He must have been very wealthy once. I wonder what happened.
Northampton Library have a copy of the report of his funeral in the
Northampton Mercury of the 3rd March 1889.
"Very recently death removed a well known and respected inhabitant
of Helmdon in the person of Mr W Farmer aged 49. A Gentleman who always
employed a large number of labourers. The funeral took place on Friday
in the presence of many of the village who were present to pay their
last respects. The floral tributes were exquisite and numerous."
The last mention I have of the Farmer family is in the 1891 census when
Elizabeth, widow of William Farmer, is head of household and living
on her own means. Their two daughters Gertrude and Florence age 19 and
17 are recorded as School Governesses, about the only occupation available
to well educated girls having to earn their own living. In 1891 elementary
education in England became virtually free.
These examples are a small indication of the rounded picture of the
past available to us all from the careful records kept by our ancestors.
Valerie Moir
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