Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 11th December 1830 (Creation)
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1 items, paper
Context area
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Scope and content
Letter from Thomas Cuthbert to Rev Dr French, dated December 11th 1830. Concerning the delay in money due to the unrest of the labourers and the poor in the Parish of Hundon. Notes that a parish meeting was called on October 7th and attended by Sir Robert Harland. A decision was made to employ men and boys to prevent them from doing any harm or burning up property. Notes that the harvest was very poor, with corn, barley and wheat not yielding good returns. Sir Robert Harland notes that the bad crops was due to the experience of the labourers and the numbers. Cuthbert notes that the parish farm's rooms host poor and labourers every night. Also notes that the magistrate is to come to Hundon on the day the letter was written to oversee the special constables and to keep the peace. All of this has prevented Cuthbert from coming up to Cambridge. He states that he hopes to send some wheat by next Wednesday and then return to Cambridge with money in a few weeks. Signed Thomas Cuthbert.
A postscript at the end notes that labourers think it very hard to have to work so hard and that most of it has to go back to maintain the poor land. Ends letter "Pray to God that things may alter for the better".