Marsh Farmer

[ESMAE]

Hi ,
Could anyone enlighten me on what a Marsh Farmer did ? Was is growing reeds for thatching ?
I tried google no luck
Thank you

[ColC]

This site might help.

https://www.familyresearcher.co.uk/glossary/Dictionary-of-Old-Occupations-jobs

Marshman: collected reeds for use in roof thatching, or a person who worked in the marshes tending grazing animals.

Colin

[ESMAE]

Thank you

[Keybob]

A marshman would also be responsible for maintaining the drainage dykes and cleaning them out, [slubbing]. He could also be responsible for operating the wind drainage pump.
    Also maybe a bit of smuggling, see link;
http://www.norfolkmills.co.uk/WindmillsD/horsey-drainage.html

[ESMAE]

Thank you Keybob

[Dyingout]

Hi only just seen this thread.
Not knowing which part of Norfolk your ancestor came from it's a little difficult to pin which marshes we are talking of but.
A Marsh Farmer is nothing to do with reed cutting.
The marshes of the river valleys of Norfolk and Northern Suffolk. Which we know today as the Broads, are in a tidal basin the rise and fall of which can at times, be quite dramatic as they are open to the sea and have a large water course, in the form of Breydon water. The three main rivers the Yare, Waveney and the Bure all feed to and from the sea.
Before the advent of modern water management schemes, to prevent flooding of the marshes around these three valleys. Marsh farmers would graze their cattle on the fields during the summer, when generally the fields did not flood and move the livestock back to their farms, on higher ground.
The Marsh fields were often owned by someone else and rented out by the year, this was done at large auctions held each January to March each year. Prime grazing land could go for large amounts.
With the introduction of water management, building of defences to eradicate the flooding of the marshes, the landscape of Norfolk and Northern Suffolk has changed. There are no longer swathes of cattle grazing the marshes and arable crops now abound.

[ESMAE]

Thank you Dyingout for information

Part of Norfolk area was Burgh St Margaret 1760s