PUBZ3/7/190

Folio.333-335 Sarah Brown residing in St Peter, Bedford, unmarried woman and with child.

28 April 1831

From: 1831 To: 1831

I am about 19 years of age. I have been informed and believe that I was born in St Peter, Bedford but my father , who then resided there, belonged to the parish of Souldrop. At Michaelmas 1827 I let myself to William Wilkins of St Peter, lace dealer by the month and stayed there about 36 weeks. I then let myself to Mr James Snooks of St Paul, cabinet maker by the month. I continued there about 25 weeks. I was then at home with my father and mother about four months. Then lived with Coleman at St Pauls from some time in July to the beginning of November following. On the 19th November 1829 I let myself to Ann Abbott, widow and victualler in St Peter, by the year as a general servant at the wages of three pounds. I continued such service until the Tuesday after last Michaelmas Bedford Fair Day (Oct 12) when we parted, my mistress thiking she could do without a servant. I had received thirty shillings in part of my wages and when I left her service my mistress paid me twenty shillings. About a month or three weeks before Michaelmas Mr Jones came to Mrs Abbott and in my presence asked if she was going to part with me. She said she could not say positively but if she did she would let him know, then told me if he left Mrs Abbott to go down and let Mrs Jones know, Two or three days afterward Mrs Abbott told me she did not think of keeping a servant and I might let Mrs Jones. I said I did not think I sould stop - she said I had better go or Mr Jones would think she kept me away. I then went to Mrs Jones and agreed to go to her upon trial on the Tuesday week after Michaelmas day and if I stayed I was to have five pounds a year wages. Before I went to mrs jones Mrs Abbott told me if I did not like the place I might go back again to her. I went to Mrs Jone's service on Tuesday after Old Michaelmas Day and stayed about six days when not liking that place I left Jones the Monday following and let myself again to Mrs Abbott until the Michaelmas following. at the same wages as before. I have lived with her until Saturday 19th of March last when I left her service. I am pregnant with child by Thomas Knight. I have not yet received all my wages of Mrs Abbott.

item

Brown, Sarah,
Wilkins, William,
Snooks, James,
Coleman,
Abbott, Ann,
Jones,
Knight, Thomas

BEDFORD, SOULDROP, POVERTY, Poor Laws, Overseers, magistrate, Settlement, bastardy, labourer, cabinet maker, lace dealer, servant, wages/conditions, trade & industry fairs