Thursday 4 December 1851 – Thomas Bolland Langley of Badsey Silk Mill summoned under the Truck Act

Category Badsey and Aldington

Publication

Worcester Journal

EVESHAM PETTY SESSIONS, MONDAY DEC 1
Before Dr Cooper, E J Rudge, B Workman, S Averill and F Woodward, Esqs

TRUCK ACT

Mr Langley of Badsey Silk Mill was summoned under this Act for having paid one of his hands, Harriett Ricketts, a threepenny loaf as part of her wages. Mr Brookes of Tewkesbury appeared to prefer the charge and Mr Eades defended. It appears the manager of Mr Langley keeps a shop for the sale of provisions and the complainant received the loaf from the manager’s wife during the week. On the settlement of her wages defendant paid her in full, deducting only for her lodging and loss of time, and she afterwards paid the manager herself. After hearing the legal arguments pro and con, the Magistrates dismissed the summons.

Comments

Truck wages were any arrangement under which wages were paid, partly or only, in the form of payment in kind, credit with retailers or a money substitute, rather than with conventional money. "Truck", in this context, was an archaic word meaning "exchange" or "barter".

The person mentioned was probably 14-year-old Harriet Ricketts, daughter of Henry Ricketts of Tewkesbury, who, along with her older sister, Eliza, was described in the 1851 census as “works at silk factory”.