Straw Bonnet Maker

[Zelley]

On the marriage details of Mary Ann White at the time of her 1847 marriage to Richard Zelley, her
occupation was listed as a Straw Bonnet Maker
in Weymouth, Dorset residing at Hope Square.

So, how many straw bonnet makers are we able to list & locate in places like London, Dorset & Devon etc.

[Peter Hyde]

I have 3 straw-related ancestors:

Martha Amory, 1851, Straw Bonnet Maker, Pious Drove, Outwell, Cambridgeshire
Harriet Smith & her sister, Mary Anne Smith, Lavenham, Suffolk, 1851, Straw Platter
Peter

[Watermusic]

I have two straw basket makers
1841 Emily Gollop Woodward  and her sister Ellen Woodward at East Street Bridport

Makes a change from twine spinners in this town! - but their father was a hairdresser.

Watermusic

[linmey]

I have a straw platter in Bedfordshire. I dont know what the straw plaits were turned into. Could be bonnets, could be anything I guess. I am guessing that as with my Bedfordshire lace making ancestors, it was probably a cottage industry, or something that was done to supplement the income from agricultural labouring in my family.

[Zelley]

In the 1860's at Bridport, Jane G. Woodward was a straw bonnet manufacturer.  Others involved were Martha Gregory while Mrs. Caroline Took was a straw hat maker.

I wonder if Jane is connected to Emily and Ellen.
Maybe, some of the old baskets from 1841 were used
by Jane to store the bonnets twenty years later
- we can dream!

In 1875, per the Kelly's Directory for Blandford Forum
we have Mrs Elizabeth Barrett listed - so
it was likely more than a casual job for
a few farthings to make ends meet.

[ernestine]

straw bonnets or hat makers and platters were quite common from 1700s to 1870. My G G G grandma was one in Essex. Straw platters could earn more than agricultural labourers. It was a great way to get an extra income and get the kids earning as well. It all fell apart in the 1870's when Japan could do it better, cheaper and out of lighter straw. Try some of the occupational directories at your local info centre or records office for more details. It was because one of the lords got a straw boater made and his wife a bonnett that it became more popular.
Hope this is helpful

[linmey]

Thanks for that ernestine. Very interesting.

[Terri14]

Many of my female ancestors, surname PRIOR & others in Toppesfield Essex UK in 1800's, listed 'straw plaiter' as their occupation in census listings, however this was a prevalent occupation at the time and distinct from 'straw bonnet' making.

[runey]

Hi Zelley,
I have at least three among my lot,
Nancy Dorward, in Stoke Damerel Devon census records from 1851 to 1871 give her occupation as bonnet maker/ straw bonnet maker
In Jersey, Channel Islands I have two, Diniah Hooker and Elizabeth Hooker both straw bonnet makers, also have a few hat makers in the records.

Runey