Author Topic: Mole Catcher & superstitions  (Read 5099 times)

Offline Notinpastyet

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Mole Catcher & superstitions
« on: Wednesday 02 April 08 10:13 BST (UK) »
Visting a very elder friend,I told her about a thread on this site unfortunate surnames & work,she said Ah old Moley the mole catcher,apparently both her cousin & uncle were mole catchers.Everyone nicknamed  the uncle Moley-the strange thing is she told me Old Moley would use the dead moles for all sorts of cures for ailments (don't forget this is in living memory)she said as a child she had warts on her hands ,Moley came & rubbed the blood of dead moles into her hands.Has anyone else heard of supertitions that the mole catcher could cure ailments with the dead moles?Oh by the way she did say that all her warts went.

Offline Suziesmith37

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Re: Mole Catcher & superstitions
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 02 April 08 11:56 BST (UK) »
Hi Notinpastyet

Mole hearts were often used in Charms and Spells - being slightly mysterious creatures and 'of the earth', they were thought to have special properties.

I suspect as well it was a great way for the poorly paid mole catcher to make a penny or two on the side! ;D

Su
Pat. side:Barker, Richards. Williams, Brewer, Chapman, Pascoe, Hill - St.Keverne, Redruth, Cornwall
Mat. side:Thomas, Richards, Viant  - Falmouth, Padstow,Redruth, Cornwall & Devon. Law - Cornwall, Wales and London

Offline old rowley

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Re: Mole Catcher & superstitions
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday 02 April 08 13:14 BST (UK) »
The wearing of a moles front feet in the form of a neckless was said to ward of rheumatism and was also said to be a toothache cure as well. The carrying of the feet of a mole in your pocket was said to prevent cramp in the limbs, the front feet were to aid the arms and the hindfeet were to aid the legs. Another superstition associated with the mole was that if one was found tunneling around your property it was a foreteller of a death in the house. Mind you if you did not believe in these superstitions you could (if you were of the persuasion) raise a glass and give a toast to " the gentleman in velvet" but that's another story.

old rowley
Claxton- East London & Essex<br />Cuthbert- Mile End East London <br />Edwards - East London & Essex<br />Goll- Norfolk<br />Harris-Mile End East London<br />Hurr - Suffolk<br />Law- Bethnal Green East London<br />Moll- East London<br />Robinson- Bethnal Green East London<br />Tait- Argyll & Glasgow<br />Thompson Shoreditch East london<br />Watson- Glasgow<br />Wood- Bethnal Green East London<br /><br />Local history interest; Noak Hill & Harold Hill Essex<br /><br />census information crown cop

Offline Notinpastyet

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Re: Mole Catcher & superstitions
« Reply #3 on: Wednesday 02 April 08 13:38 BST (UK) »
YUK ! imagine cutting out the tiny hearts & worse still wearing the tiny feet around your neck,but I find it really fascinating what people believed & were prepared to do,don't you? You can imagine someone going to see the mole catcher or inviting them to call by with some dead moles.


Offline Suziesmith37

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Re: Mole Catcher & superstitions
« Reply #4 on: Wednesday 02 April 08 13:42 BST (UK) »
Tis so true!

We have some very odd superstitions even now - still fingers crossed you get some more answers :D

Su
Pat. side:Barker, Richards. Williams, Brewer, Chapman, Pascoe, Hill - St.Keverne, Redruth, Cornwall
Mat. side:Thomas, Richards, Viant  - Falmouth, Padstow,Redruth, Cornwall & Devon. Law - Cornwall, Wales and London

Offline Notinpastyet

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Re: Mole Catcher & superstitions
« Reply #5 on: Wednesday 02 April 08 13:48 BST (UK) »
I'll hold my breath & see what happens,touch wood I'll hear some more.

Offline Mogsmum

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Re: Mole Catcher & superstitions
« Reply #6 on: Friday 04 April 08 09:03 BST (UK) »
I've an ancestor whose occupation on 4 consecutive census forms is shown as 'Butcher', except that in the latter two he goes and spoils it as they read -  respectively - 'Butcher and mole-catcher,' followed 10 years later by 'Molecatcher and butcher'.   

Rather than superstitions, this led me to suspicions about the possible quality of some of his meat!

Offline Notinpastyet

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Re: Mole Catcher & superstitions
« Reply #7 on: Friday 04 April 08 10:06 BST (UK) »
Hi Mogsmum,Ive had to laugh I hope he didn't sell the moles as a little meat delicacy in the butchers !

Offline Mogsmum

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Re: Mole Catcher & superstitions
« Reply #8 on: Friday 04 April 08 19:24 BST (UK) »
Well ...... it was my first thought.   :)