Smithills Hall Workers in 1578

This document is from a photocopy in my possession, but unfortunately I don't know what the original source was.  If anyone knows were this research was originally published please let me know.

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There were 14 full time workers men and 3 women.  The highest paid were (all amounts per annum):

• Peter Stores £2 5s 8d
• Henry Harte £2 3s 4d 
• Peter Ashton £2 2s 8d
• Robert Aspeden £2 0s 0d
• John Hindley £1 13s 4d
• William Hewood £1 12s 0d

There were 8 servants in the hall paid approx. £1 5s Od per annum The total number of farm workers is not stated, probably because these workers were employed as when required due to the seasons.

The following were employed:

• William Ducworth - farm and cattle paid £1 6s 8d per annum
• Two boys
• Thomas Longworth earned 16/8d in 1587
• Adam Turner earned 12/- in 1587

These boys in 1588 were paid 18/- and in 1590 21/-. As it is not stated it is assumed that these were earnings for a year's work. It would appear that children have been able to earn wages as farm workers from the age of 11.

In 1590 the staff increased to 17 males and 3 women.

• Cecily Moss was a dairy maid paid at 18/- per annum.
• Elizabeth Ainsworth paid £1 10s Od per annum.
• Ann Wilding paid 12/- per annum.

These were unmarried and were given food and clothing.  When Ann Wilding left to get married in 1593, Sir Richard gave her £3 6s 8d. This was more than 5 years' wages.

In the 1600s board and lodgings represented a high proportion of the total wage. William Ducworth, a farm worker (unmarried) lodged with Henry Diconson one of the estate tenants, who charged the estate 16/8d a quarter for Ducworth's lodging, a yearly boarding of £3 6s 8d, this makes the total cost of employing him £4 13s 4d for 285 days' work for a year (Sunday and 27 other holidays made up the balance) 4d daily rate for farm workers in the 1580s.

Day workers were also employed

Richard Longworth worked for 6 days in December 1589 at ld a day equivalent to about £1 3s 9d a year. Temporary workers enjoyed the same meals as the permanent staff.

Giles Janion threshed for 10 days and was paid 42d per day. He stayed with Robert Stones' wife who charged the estate 42d per day for his table.

The main produce of the NW farmers was cattle whose prices had almost trebled between 1510 and the 1580s.

The rates of pay differ very little from the maximum rates of pay laid down in the Act of 1514 which were (all per annum):

• Shepherd with diet and clothing £1 5s 0d
• Common servant with diet and clothing £1 0s 8d
• Woman servant with diet and clothing £1 4s 0d

Daily rates:

• Labourers in winter with food ld, without food 3d
• Labourers in summer with food 2d, without food 4d