PUBZ3/8/92

Folio.142-144 Ann Abbott residing in St Peter, Bedford, spinster.

1 August 1833

From: 1833 To: 1833

I am about 71 years of age, was born in Great Addington, County of Northampton where my father then resided and belonged. When I was about fourteen years of age I let myself to Mrs Lord of Bletsoe. I afterwards lived in several other places until the year 1805 when I let myself to Mr Robert Wallace of Wootton, farmer, by the year as his housekeeper at the wages of ten pounds per annum and continued with him there as such until the year 1815 when my Master disposed of his farm at Wootton, gave up his business and hired a house by the week at Ampthill at 3 shillings a week. He stayed there about two years and i continued in his service at the wages of five pounds per annum and what I could earn by needlework when he had not anything in particular for me to do. He then removed to Ridgmont and continued there about two years. Then to Great Brickhill in the County of Bucks for between two and three years. Then Little Brickhill for about three quarters of a year, then Bow Brickhill for about three years where he died and was buried. I continued in his service until he died. He hired his houses by the week and I do not think any of them were more than about three shillings a week. I received all my wages from Mr Wallace except for about the last three years and in his last illness he gave me all his household furniture to compensate me for my wages. On his death I came to Bedford and have been employed in nursing until March 1831 when I broke my thigh and I have not been able to work since, nor have I done any act since to gain a settlement.

item

Abbott, Ann,
Lord,
Wallace, Robert

BEDFORD, BLETSOE, Great Addington, Great Addington, WOOTTON, AMPTHILL, RIDGMONT, Great Brickhill, Little Brickhill, Bow Brickhill, Settlement, Overseers, magistrate, POVERTY, Poor Laws, farmer, needlework, nursing, injury, illness, DEATH, housekeeper, wages/conditions, household furniture