In 1770, wool combers made 13s. a week; their
wage was about the same all over the country because they traveled
form town to town in search of work and always supported each
other. Also in 1770, Newcastle miners earned 15s. a week,
Sheffield cutlers 13s.6d. a week, a Rotherham blacksmith 13s. a
week, a furnace keeper at Horsehay about 12s. a week, a
Staffordshire potter from 8-12s., a Witney blanket weaver or a
Wilton carpet weaver 11s. or more a week, a Manchester cotton
weaver from 7-10s. a week, and a Leeds cloth weaver about 8s. In
this class also were ploughmen, cowmen, dairymaids of the bigger
farms. They had cottages of wood, clay, and straw, with clay
floors and low ceilings, and a divided ground floor. A few had
homes built of stone, covered with slate or thatch.
Wages of industry were higher than those of agriculture. In 1770,
a day laborer earned 5-6s. a week in winter and 7-9s. in summer
(without board or lodging). In the short harvest time, he could
earn 12s. a week.
Lastly were the mass of the population of London: hordes of
laborers who depended on casual employment and could be dismissed
at will.
About half the population had no resources but their labor, which
was usually unskilled and lowly paid. In good times they had just
enough to feed themselves.
The gap between rich and poor became greater. Marriage remained a
main way to wealth. Also, one trained in the law could aspire to
have a successful career in high political office, which also
brought wealth.
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