THE first talk following the pandemic for the Frome Family History Group was a look at St Cuthbert’s Street in Mells from 1770 -2020 by Sarah Villiers, entitled, ‘A Street Through Time’.
The group report that, “Sarah started with a look at the extreme poverty of the residents with some of them living in little more that sheds. There were many people crammed into one up and one down properties with all the health implications that their living conditions created.
“Gradually life got a little easier as employment became more varied, and the residents took advantage of the paper mills and brush factories that began to emerge. Domestic workers also knitted hosiery which could be done from home. Sarah was surprised to find that families moved around following the work. This was known as being on tramp.
“The houses had a wash house between three dwellings and from about 1860 a lean-to was added to provide a rudimentary kitchen. It wasn’t until 1960 that a proper kitchen with a bathroom above was added.
“Between 1840 and 1910 many more occupational groups began trading. This included construction, building trades, clothes, provision of food and transport among others.
“Sarah went on to describe the lives of some of the residents and those living nearby. In 1822 Thomas Lovell was the first recorded tradesperson on the street. He was a tailor, and the Lovell family were a significant family in Wells. Another tailor was George Weeks who married milliner Charlotte. Their daughter was a straw bonnet maker but by the time she is 25 she has moved to Bath and is described as a “lady”, so she had obviously moved up in the world! John Phillips married dressmaker Mary Ann Brown and employed a deaf and dumb apprentice. An unusual situation in the 1850s.
“By the later part of the 1800s leisure activities became important as workers began to be given a half day off. In 1870 the cycling club began as well as several church related organisations such as “The Helpful Society “and “The Girls Friendly Society”. Life was slowly improving for our residents.”
The group’s next talk will be on Tuesday 31st May and is Sue Simpson talking about looking after the poor, the lives of our ancestors and life in the workhouse. 7.15pm for 7.30pm start in the library.
