Hard Times.

Thomas Hardy in his novel, 'The Mayor of Casterbridge', describes a hiring fair. These were usually held at Michaelmas and servants were employed for a year.

I've been perusing an accounts book, dated 1807, from a farm in Trefin, towards the north of Pembrokeshire. The farm was evidently prosperous, because servants were needed.

On October2, 1807, an agreement was made with John Griffiths that he should begin work a fortnight after Michaelmas. His wage was to be £9 for the year.

Martha Perry was hired on 22 October, 1807, to be engaged for the year. Her wages were to include a pound of wool and a flannel apron.

The next details concern Jemima Prosser, who is  hired from 24th October, 1813 until October 1814.
Jemima's wages are £4 a year plus the pound of wool and a flannel apron. She was probably no older than twelve or thirteen.

In February, Jemima goes to Fishguard to buy a gown and a hat which cost £2.

John  James is employed from 18th October 1814 until the following year, and he is to be paid £5 ten shillings. This shows he is under twenty one and  not in eligible for a man's wage. In December, Jack (John?) has to buy shoes at a cost of 8/6 (eight shillings and sixpence).

Pembrokeshire farmhouses were often designed as longhouses. Upstairs, one bedroom lead into another with no passageway.
The servants had to go to bed before the master and mistress, to avoid walking through their bedroom when they had settled down for the night.
There was little privacy in smaller farmhouses and this really was communal living.

Most farm workers toiled until they died, no pensions being available.
These were hard times.