Guest 767- Registered: 30 Aug 2012
- Posts: 458
I think it was the Prince Regent, who while rideing in his carrage was carried away by the startled horses. The runaway carrage was stopped by a sweep who bravely took the horses by the reins and brought the carrage to a halt. The much relived Prince then declared that he was lucky to have found a brave sweep. This resulted in all sweeps being declared (or declaring themselves!) as being lucky. So, haveing a lucky sweep at your wedding brings good luck.
Guest 756- Registered: 6 Jun 2012
- Posts: 727
My sister had a sweep at her first wedding, she's on number 4 now, maybe the others where lucky escapes!
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
a few refs.. sweeps in the past...
James CLARK, old chimney sweep from Canterbury (had five sons, all sweeps). "Battle of chimney sweeps, police and prize-fighters" in Dover, Autumn 1844. Death of a policeman. One son was later transported to Australia.
("Crime and Criminals in Victorian Kent! By Gray 1985, pages 11,12)
Mr James CLARK aged 59, death. The deceased was well known in Canterbury, having carried on the business of a chimney-sweeper in North-Lane and is the person who, with his sons was lately charged with being concerned in the murder of COUCHMAN, a Dover policeman (Dover Telegraph 12 Jul 1845)
Police - Union Hall - Child Stealing - Charles BARKER was brought before the Sitting magistrates charged with enticing away two boys named William BELLAMY and Charles HINCHCLIFFE and selling them as chimney sweepers to a person named ROSE who resides at Kingston. He was remanded till Saturday to afford an opportunity to the officers of finding another man who was concerned in the sale. The boys are about 9 years old and the price obtained for them was 7 shillings." (Kent Summer Assizes) (Kentish Gazette 11 Aug 1812 p.3 col.3)
Richard BISHOP aged 8 - son of Hilary and Mary BISHOP of Canterbury - was apprenticed to Edward COOK, chimney sweeper of Canterbury for 7 years. Indenture dated 5 Dec 1821, £3 assignment fee. Signed by G.I.P. LEITH, John HOLTUM. Indenture in possession of Charles SANDYS Clerk to the Justices, consenting etc.
(WALMER ref. U3/60/14/1 - poor children apprenticeships)
"Mr" TAYLOR of Tilmanstone: The workhouse master has arranged with Mr TAYLOR to sweep the chimneys at 6 pence each. Boiler flues he has left open as he wants £1 each time - (8th week of Qtr ending Midsummer 1901, Eastry Workhouse Records, master's reports)
1808: CHIMNEY SWEEPERS' BOYS: This public notice is given, that the benevolent enactments of the legislature in favour of Chimney-Sweepers' Apprentices may be carried into effect, and the Masters are hereby particularly warned to comply strictly with the regulations of this law, and of which they cannot in future plead ignorance as an excuse for neglecting their duty. ABSTRACT OF THE CHIMNEY-SWEEPERS' ACT: 28 Geo. III. Chap.48. -
That no Chimney-Sweeper shall have any one time more than six apprentices. That no boy shall be employed as a climber, who is under the age of 8 years. That every Chimney Sweeper shall provide for each of his apprentices a leather cap, on the front of which shall be affixed a brass plate, containing the name and place of abode of such Chimney-Sweeper; which cap, with the plate, the apprentices shall always wear when out on duty.
That no Chimney-Sweeper shall let out to hire to any other Chimney-Sweeper, or other person, any of his apprentices.
That no Chimney-Sweeper shall suffer any of his boys to call the streets before 5 o'clock in the morning in the summer, nor before 7 o'clock in winter, nor ever after 12 o'clock at noon. That no Chimney-Sweeper should oblige his apprentice to go up any chimney which is on fire. That every Chimney-Sweeper shall provide for each of his apprentices warm and decent clothing, (in which shoes and stockings are understood,) to wear when on duty; and also at least, once every year (over and above the climbing dress), one whole and complete suite of clothing, in suitable linen, stockings, hat and shoes. And that he shall, at least, once in every week, cause each apprentice to be thoroughly washed and cleansed from soot and dirt; and cause him to attend the public worship of God on the Sabbath day and permit him to receive the benefit of any other religious instruction.
That no Chimney-Sweeper shall suffer his apprentice to wear his sweeping-dress on the Lord's Day. That every Chimney-Sweeper shall provide for his apprentice competent and sufficient meat, drink, washing, lodging and apparel.
That every Chimney-Sweeper offending in any of these instances, shall on conviction, pay a penalty not exceeding £10, nor less than £5; one half of which shall go to the informer, and the other half to the overseer, for the use of the poor.
By order of the Mayor. Canterbury, 10 March 1808. (Kentish Gazette Fri March 18, 1808 p.1 col.1)
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i love that bit about no chimney sweeper should oblige an apprentice to go up a chimney which is on fire.
all heart in those days!!
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
and once a week cause each apprentice to be thoroughly washed and cleansed from soot and dirt... to attend church
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred