Scriven Report on Child Labour
Scriven Report on Child Labour
In 1840 the House of Commons set up a commission to inquire into the state of
children employed in the mines and manufactories. Samuel Scriven visited
the area of Stoke-on-Trent from December
1840 onwards to collect evidence.
Also see: | audio report on Child Labour in the 1840's |
[ introduction ] [ list of manufacturers ] [ 3 categories of manufacturers ]
"I have visited and thoroughly examined no less than 173 of them"
Wages, employment of
families and children 
[ wages ] [ employment of families ] [ employment of children ]
"The class of children whose physical condition has the strongest claims to consideration is that of the "jiggers" and " mould-runners", who, by the very nature of their work, are rendered pale weak diminutive and unhealthy"
[ education and schools ] [ Number of Scholars at Sunday School] [ number of teachers ]
[ number of places of Religious worship ] [ Returns of Day Schools 1841 ]
[ Samuel Scriven's submission ]
"I feel great pleasure in recording the gratifying fact, that throughout the whole of my visits, whether in the factory or workshop, the cabin at the pit's mouth, or in the humble cottage, I have been received with the utmost respect, kindness, and hospitality"
Doctors report on health
conditions
[ J. B. DAVIS, (Surgeon) report on Hanley & Shelton ] [ Mechanics' Institution ]
[ injurious occupations ]
[ H. HARDING, ( Medical Officer) report on Hanley ]
[ ROBERT GARNER, F:L.S., ( Surgeon) report on Stoke-on-Trent ]
[ report on Longton ]
"Intemperance in intoxicating drinks is a serious evil among the working class. Many of them allowing their families almost to starve to beg in order that they may indulge in this vice."
[ Messrs. MINTON and BOYLE, Eldon Pl. Stoke]
[ Messrs. MINTON and BOYLE, Trentham Rd ]
[ COPELAND AND GARRATTS ]
[ DANIEL AND SONS ]
"Joseph Bevington, very pale and phthisical: aged 10
I have been at work 12 months in the handle-room; father works there; I get 2s. a week, father takes it to me; I got 3 brothers and sisters; I come at 7 in the morning and leave at 6 in the evening; I never work over-time.
Father straps me sometimes, when I'm a bad boy, but he's good to me generally. I get beef and bacon, and tato's for dinner every day."
[ RIDGWAY, MORLEY, WEAR, and Co. ] [ Mr. JOSEPH CLEMENTSON ]
[ Mr. Wm. RIDGEWAY ] [ Dimmock's ] [ Mr. HACKWOOD ]
"I can read but very little, and can write a little. I go to Sunday-school at the Tabernacle, and went to a day- school two or three years. I work by day wage .... I'd rather be a dipper than jigger"
[ HOOD and BUXTON ] [ Mr. WM. POINTON ] [ Mr. THOS. GODWIN ]
[ Messrs. MADDOCK and SEDDONS ] [ Mr. PETER HOPKINS ]
[ Messrs. JAS. and THOS. EDWARD ] [ Messrs. BARKER, SUTTON, and TILL ]
[ Messrs. ALLCOCKS ]
"I come at six in the morning and go home at six and eight o'clock, sometimes at one time, sometimes at the other, all depends ; we work six days in the week. I am always tired when I go home."
[ SHELTON BRITISH SCHOOL for Boys ]
[ SHELTON BRITISH SCHOOL for Girls ]
[ HANLEY and SHELTON NATIONAL SCHOOL ]
[ Rev. R. E. Aitkens, incumbent of Hanley ]
"I receive £60 per annum as salary ; the boys contribute towards the amount by payments of 2d. per week; most of them pay up well ; there are a few that are in arrear, resulting likewise from the parents' poverty."
Pottery lads in 1921 with two mawls, the tool used
for bottom knocking
for saggar making
Photo: Gladstone Pottery Museum
These young men
were all of the legal age
to work in potworks - in the 1840's Scriven's found
boys and girls as young as 6 working
12-14 hour days.
30/08/2001