Last month I explored the 1841 census to find out where villagers came from. As I said then I suspected that a number of the men and women working here, migrated to Christleton because of the need for servants/workers, in houses and on the land. I was amazed by the spread of distances travelled in the days of limited transport opportunities. The canal had been built, but I guess that it was to transport goods not people. The railways hadn’t yet been completed, and there must have been limited means of travel except by horse drawn coach or carriage. This month I am exploring the jobs and opportunities available at that time.

Farmers 18; Farm Servants and labourers 85. Retired Farmer 3. Potato dealer; 1.

Wife - 102. Children 100. Scholars 148. Foundling 1. Cook/Housekeeper 4 . House Servant 52. General Servant 10.

Charwomen/Washerwomen/Laundress 13. Dressmakers Apprentice 10. Groom/Coachman 3. Gardener 9. Butler 2.

Tailor 4. Tanner 1. Tannyard Workers 9. Shoemaker 3. Butcher 2. Grocer/Baker 4. Shopkeeper 1. Dealer in Butter 1. Dealer in Poultry 1.

Boatman 2 . Canal worker 2. Lock keeper 2. Rail Labourer 6 . Rail Clerk 1. Reporter 1. Errand boy 4. Master Builder 2. Bricklayer 3. Stonemason 2 . Brickmaker 6 . Thatcher 1.

Joiner / Cabinet Maker 6. Blacksmith & Apprentices 6. Carrier 1. Coalyard Labourer 1. Beerhouse Keeper 3. Bar Maid 1.

Schoolmaster & P.C 1. School mistress 3. Police Officer 1. Tax Collector 3. Militiaman 1****. Rector 1. Attorney / Solicitor 1. Land Agent 3. Land Surveyor 1. Solicitor Clerk 1.

Landed Proprietor 9. Fundholder /.Annuitant 17. House/Landowner 2. Unemployed 30. Pauper 7. Harmless Idiot 1. Overseer of the Poor 1.

You can see from the list above that Christleton could virtually supply everything it needed within the village, but this list probably includes men working in the tanyards and brickyards at Littleton. There was also a brickyard at Cotton Edmunds, but all these were within walking distance. The predominant trade was farming and allied activities, so the two blacksmith workshops would have been kept busy.

You can also see that it was a place with large houses, due to the number of Landed Proprietor, Fundholder/Annuitants, House Landowner. Attorney/Solicitor, Solicitor, Land agents etc. These large houses would employ a considerable number. Unemployment was rife in those days, and its sad to read of 7 paupers, no doubt cared for by the Parish through the overseer of the Poor. What a terrible description of a young man as a Harmless idiot. He’s also described like that in the school entry book.

I hope you enjoyed looking with fresh 21st century eyes at an amazing village in 1841.