First child, very sick early period, and when labour set in kept it to
myself; baby born before doctor arrived. Got on well.
Second, through reaching high shelf, child had to be turned, causing
good deal of suffering. Child died at three months, undergoing
operation for nerves. Doctor said caused by rick or strain at birth.
Miscarriage caused by fright. Did not understand it; got up next day,
went about usual duties.
Third child, usual symptoms. Fourth ditto. Second miscarriage, hard
work and lifting bath of water, being very weak. Doctor said would
have been twins. Fifth child born on stairs, no ill-effects. Third
miscarriage, very ill. Sixth child very ill, caused by lifting out of
bed sick child. The bladder obstructing the way, and child could not
be born only by replacing it. Labour lasting from Thursday morn until
Saturday noon. Seventh and eighth child quite natural.
When we were married, thirty-one years ago, my husband was a framework
knitter. Having learnt his trade thoroughly, he was capable of earning
from £2 to £3 weekly, but we had only been married a fortnight when,
through the introduction of machinery, he was out of work. In less
than two years his earnings was 11s. to 16s. weekly. Our rent was 5s.
3d., but I let the two front rooms. The third year he was out twelve
weeks, only earning 2s. 6d. the whole time. No one would employ him; he
looked pale, and his hands, owing to using silk and cotton, were soft
and clean. One man told him he was not the sort of man for field-work.
However, he got a job as rural postman, earning 15s. a week, leaving
home 5 a.m., returning 7 p.m. In order to supplement his earnings, he
hired a room and mended boots, but some people did not pay him, and he
had to give it up. Then a manufacturer found he could still do with a
little hand-work, but alas! things were no better; some weeks he earned
20s., some weeks less.
There were five of us to keep, so I got some work from the factory,
and if I worked hard I could sometimes earn 8s. I would rise at 6
a.m., get my housework done by 10 a.m., sending the two little ones to
school, and, except for meals or attending to my little ones, worked
till 12 p.m. I was then within a few weeks’ birth of my little one,
but--oh, how can I tell you!--one night on looking up from my work, my
husband was looking ghastly. But that looking up saved my life; he told
me after he was anticipating taking my life and my little ones’ and his
own. But he feared his courage would fail him before he finished. I
reached my Bible from the shelf (it was my custom to read every night)
and went to bed. But think of it!--a kinder, better man it would be
difficult to find.
When I could not get shirt-finishing, I used to seam hose--2-3/4d. for
twelve pairs--and when my baby was born I had 5s.; I gave it to the
midwife. My husband had influenza, and we were both in bed ill. He had
earned 8s., and I gave that to nurse and dismissed her. The ninth day I
was downstairs doing some washing--sitting, of course--and I sent for
some work, but could not do much, my eyes were so weak. I never thought
to appeal to our friends to help us, but I wrote and told of the birth
and said work was very bad.
A builder wanted a handyman, and sent for my husband, and gave him
work--20s. a week. My husband was so handy he kept him on as carpenter,
and he attended continuation classes with our elder son, and from that
he went to the Technical Institute, and about eight years after we came
to ----, he had learned the second trade of carpenter, and gets the
rate because he is trade unionist, and has been ever since he started
as carpenter. It was he who tried to instil co-operative principles
into me, but I think it was the “divi” had the greatest influence, and
the rest I learnt in the Guild room; and I say, God speed co-operation,
the greatest blessing possible for the people. We seldom ever refer
to our dark days, we are so happy now with our children. The baby No.
8--it was all right. I could draw a £2 divi--the most I ever had for
confinement.
_Wages 11s. to £1; eight children, three miscarriages._