A little girl servant at the age of 8

[Brentor boy]

Yes, we can but hope that she was just being looked after by the Challen family , the thought of an 8 year being a servant is sad, but  days gone by these things happened, I try not to dwell on those sad times for the youngsters of the  time, as I said thank God times have changed


Louisa Maud

I have a copy of a settlement examination in which the examinee claimed he was bound an apprentice at age "six years and a half" in 1783. He was apparently placed by the Overseer by indenture. It suggests to me that the family were "on the parish" and the child was "fostered" out so that his "master" would be responsible for his upkeep. He appears to have stayed there until he was 21.

[louisa maud]

My records show
Edward Harvey Challen baptised 24/03/1844 St Georges Ramsgate
married 11/02/1860 Ramsgate
Mary Ann Fassam born 1844

Caroline Emma born 02/01/1861 married 1875 to Richard Coveney
Jane Annie 14/08/1863 married William Bottle

There are family trees online which show different details, I believe there are 2 Edward Challen born about the same time,

Louisa Maud

[Maiden Stone]

Brother of ancestor of mine was unemployed at age 9. He was a half-timer in cotton mill, supposed to work half-time and attend school part-time.

[louisa maud]

I remember seeing a programme years ago about youngsters in the  cotton factories  where youngsters had to crawl under the looms whilst they were still moving,  awful

Louisa maud

[Romilly]

I have, in my notes on my GreatGrandfather, Evan Rees, (1836 - 1927) info saying that he worked in the Copperworks in Swansea from age 9 - 88 years!

Impossible to verify this, but it does seem a very long working life!

Romilly.