FAC129

Chapters from the autobiography of a village lad showing the hardships and superstitions of village life in England from 1846 to 1858 subtitled The story of twelve years in the life of a village orphan 1846-1858 told by himself. Written by Joseph Bell (born 26 March 1846) and addressed to his daughter Ellen Withycombe and dated 1926.

1926

From: 1846 To: 1926

Preface by Joseph Bell, dated 26 Mar 1926, states that 'the incidents I have herein attempted to record are a true description of the social conditions of life in our villages in the early part of the last century'. In brief, the account falls into 3 phases: his early childhood in Turvey being brought up and taught by his mother (his father having died shortly after his birth); his stay in London as an orphan with his Aunt (pp 77-102); and life as a scholar at Bedford Union School within the workhouse (pp 113-210) up until his apprenticing at the age of 13 to John Andrews of 19 Silver Street, Bedford, master bootmaker. He refers in detail to his mother and, although less so, to his two sisters Mary and Sarah. His other brother (Henry), sister (Elizabeth) and other relatives are little mentioned (except the London Aunt). In general the writing is important in revealing the mentality, outlooks, perceptions, attitude, morality and psyche of a child growing up within the ranks of labouring poor of the time. It is written with a strong 'then and now' comparative emphasis in parts. Bell is keen to record the housing conditions, the hardships of employment as an agricultural labour, the exploitative nature of the lace-making industry, poverty and the relationship of the labouring classes with the gentry: the 'tyranny of the classes' as he calls it. He also records in detail superstitions and tales giving insight into contemporary village culture. His account of the workhouse gives a lot of detail regarding the regime, routines etc of life within Bedford Workhouse in the late 1850s. For fuller details of contents see attached file.

210 pages (photocopy of TS)

photocopy

Original owned by T J Garland of Oxford: loaned for copying in April 1991.

item

Bell, Joseph,
Bell, William,
Hawkesley, John Webster,
Longuet-Higgins, Charles,
Withycombe, Ellen,
Andrews, John,
Bell, Mary,
Bell, Sarah,
Bell, Henry,
Bell, Elizabeth,
Crawley, William,
Monkhouse, William,
Spence

autobiography, HOUSING, employment, chimney sweep, treasure trove, Crimean War, apprenticeship, lacemaker, poaching, horticulture, shoemaking, blacksmith, football, Bedford Union Workhouse, water supply, London King's Cross Station, rail travel, Turvey Abbey, Turvey Church Orchestra, Victoria Lodge of Oddfellows, Turvey Village band, Sunday Schools, Shoeblack Brigade Boys, Turvey Mill, Turvey Park, Three Counties Asylum, Turvey Great Oaks Farm, Bedford Hospital, St.Cuthberts Ship Inn, Bedford, Post Office, Bedford Holy Trinity Church, Bedford Silver Street, Bedford St Cuthberts Street, Bedford Goldington Road, Bedford Bromham Road, TURVEY, London, BEDFORD