Threshing machines.

Foxearth & District Local History Society

Threshing machines, designed for rapidly removing the husks from grain, were such an advance that soon many farms had them. Unfortunately, farm labourers did not have the knowledge of the hazards of the machines and did not always adopt the necessary vigilance. It should also be remembered that, in summer, the labourers were served beer, the only safe cool drink available, and each man would consume around six pints in a day in the hot weather. Some farms and mills even had their own brewery.
The Threshing machine was invented by Andrew Meikle ( 1719-1811, a Scottish millwright from Houston Mill, near Dunbar, East Lothian),
After two failed attempts, he decided to copy from the flax-scutching machine that was used to beat the fibres from flax plantsc. He constructed a strong drum with fixed beaters that beat rather than rubbed the grain. He took out a patent in 1788 and probably began manufacture in 1789;
By 1830, the introduction of the threshing machine had inflamed the villagers of Southern England who felt their way of life was facing extinction.
Previously, rick-burning had been carried out by farm labourers only, but this "last labourers' revolt" was now joined by village craftsmen, blacksmiths, carpenters, wheelwrights, all whose livelihood was threatened.
Not only were threshing machines destroyed, but workhouses were wrecked and battles with the yeomanry (law enforcers) broke out. This was one of the high points of the Luddite movement which was prevalent in the textile and agricultural industries. It dated from the 1760s and took its name from a fictional Leicestershire journeyman Ned Ludd.
Machine wrecking also occurred on the continent, in France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Switzerland.
Foxearth & District Local History Society

Death and injury with Threshing machines

The Bury & Norwich Post

November 27th 1811

There has not been any recent inventions by which human calamity has been produced as by the new implement called the thrashing machine and this in greater measure arises from unskilfulness of those employed to work it and are often ignorant of the powers of mechanism.
We notice that Mr Arthur Brooks of Horringer had a very narrow escape within the last few days as the whole of his cloathes, even his shirt was torn from his back and had not his men stopped the machine with such promptitude there would have been loss of limbs and probably his life. It would therefore be prudent to prohibit the use of the implement under penalty unless attended by a skillful mechanic.

The Bury & Norwich Post

October 27th 1830

Inquis--at Lavenham on John Sutton whose death was caused by falling from the threshing machine on which he was riding.

The Bury & Norwich Post

September 20th 1837

Inqu--at Horringer on Monday last on Alfred Last, an able bodied man in the employ of Mr Double at Horringer, while superintending the work of a threshing machine, became later in the afternoon, intoxicated, his foot he placed incautiously among the wheels of the machine and received severe fractures of the leg.

The Bury & Norwich Post

January 21st 1846.

The Bury & Norwich Post

September 26th 1848

As Mr Green�s men were threshing oats at Mrs Sparrow�s farm at Edwardstone on Saturday last, the foreman named Ennels put his hand too far into the beaters while feeding the machine and the beater .tore a finger from his hand. Mr Gurdon the surgeon put him under chloroform and performed an operation.

The Bury & Norwich Post

February 16th 1853.

Inquest at Suffolk Hospital at Bury on David Scates, labourer, aged 25, in the employ of Mr Samuel Payne of Hawstead, who on the previous Monday was engaged in moving straw from the threshing machine when the spindle caught his frock and wound him round and before the horses could be stopped, he dashed his head on the floor of the barn, he was removed to Bury Hospital but died in three hours. The jury expressed a hope that Mr Payne would erect a cover over the spindle.

The Bury & Norwich Post

April 19th 1854

On Saturday last as a poor woman named Ashman was attempting to step over the spindle of a threshing machine at Aldersfield Hall, Wickhambrook, her garments became entangled and in attempting to save herself, her right thumb was drawn in by the wheels in front of the machine and so much injured as to render amputation necessary.

The Bury & Norwich Post

October 22nd 1856

On Tuesday last the wife of a labourer named Price was feeding a threshing machine upon the premises of Mr Joseph Dennis of Chilton Street, Clare, when she reeled and fell her, left arm went right down the mouth of the threshing machine, when she was extricated she was in a state of insensibility her arm being crushed to atoms and torn out of the socket. The poor woman was 63 years old and was subject to epileptic fits, she had been employed for a week in untying the wheat sheaves and was standing on the flat top of the machine. Accidental death.

The Bury & Norwich Post

May 3rd 1859

Inquest at Hitcham White Horse on William Gooch aged 39. William Death, a man in the employ of Mr Mark Major said the previous Thursday week the deceased came to work with the threshing machine belonging to Mr Russel and late in the day witness saw deceased trying to see if the machine would go well with his hands as the horses were not put on yet, and in doing so in a most careless manner he got his hands entangled in the cogs and a finger was crushed.
Mr Growse, surgeon of Bildeston said he examined his hand and found it necessary to amputate a finger and he dressed another and was going on well, last Friday morning he was sent for and found evidence of lockjaw, he died next day.
He left a wife and 5 children.
Accidental Death.

Suffolk Free Press

September 24th 1868

There was a fatal accident on the premises of Mr Thomas Green at Acton Hall on Friday afternoon. A man named Neave aged about 68 years from some cause slipped and his foot became entangled in the steam threshing machine. Medical aid was summoned and was quickly on hand, Mr Jones the surgeon thought it necessary to amputate the foot but the shock was too much for the poor fellow and he died. Accidental death.

The Bury & Norwich Post

February 20th 1872

An accident happened last week to a man named Thomas Craske employed by Mr T.Alston of Stanstead Hall. He was at work at Kiln Farm, Kentwell, for Mr Smith, when the threshing machine became blocked, Craske employed the same means to clear it as he usually does and was pulling back a small wheel when the large strap from the engine flew off hurling him to the ground with much violence and was picked up insensitive and much bleeding, he was carried to Mr Smith's house wher Mr Jones the surgeon attended him and found his left arm so fearfully smashed that amputation was necessary. The operation was skilfully performed by the gentleman assisted by other medical men from the district. Mr Smith has allowed the man to remain at his house where he progressing favourably.

The Bury & Norwich Post

October 2nd 1883

There was a fatal accident at Hundon when Charles Biggs aged 22 in the employ of Mr Taylor fell into the threshing machine. He was due to have been married that day but as the bride to be became ill and the wedding was postponed.

The Bury & Norwich Post

July 3rd 1888

There was an inquest at the Brook Inn, Little Cornard, on the body of William Turner aged 61. William Pilgrim a horseman in the employ of Mr A.Mumford said deceased was an engine driver of a steam threshing machine, on Monday afternoon witness and the deceased went with a horse each to Mr G.Mumford's farm to get a straw elevator and a waggon, when returning and going down a little hill which was rather slippery, he turned round and saw deceased having difficulty with his horse, he stopped when he could and went back to help him and found the breechings had come off the shafts and he could not stop, he saw deceased throw himself into the hedge to escape the wheels of th elevator but the fore wheel went over his leg and threw him back under the rear wheel.
Accidental death. Deceased was well known in the neighbourhood as his house was used as the vaccination station for the district. He left a widow and seven children most of whom are grown up.

Haverhill Echo

September 26th 1891

A labouring man by the name of George Newman met with a shocking accident at Mr Pratt's farm at Otten Belchamp. His coat sleeve had caught in the threshing machine. At the inquest P.C.Skingle said he was at the farm when the accident happened and saw deceased standing on the machine he then heard the machine make a strange noise, he then went up the machine and found deceased with his left arm drawn into the machine as far as possible, deceased had no right to have been on that part of the machine and he thought he was drunk. He was taken by cart to St Leonards hospital and admitted but died within an hour of admission. Harry Skeemer of Pentlow corroborated the constables evidence. Accidental death.

South West Suffolk Echo

March 21st 1899

There was an inquest the King's Head, Boxted, on the body of Walter Glasscock aged 25 years, labourer, who was proceeding from one farm to another with a threshing machine when he appeared to have been knocked over and run over. He leaves a widow and one child. Mary Glasscock, deceased's wife, said he was brought home between 5-6 on Friday evening, injured, he was unable to say what happened.
Arthur Blackshire said they were both employed by Mr Norton of Boxted and on Friday they went to Robbs Farm at Cavendish to fetch the threshing drum, deceased must have fallen off one of the back horses, they were both sober, when witness looked round he could not see him and on going back he found him lying in the road across a wheel mark, he could not speak, he sent for Dr Waring. Dr Waring said in his opinion deceased was drunk as his answers were incoherent as a man under the influence of drink.
Accidental death.

Suffolk Free Press

June 17th 1908

A shocking accident occurred at Hole farm, Finchingfield. Harry Coote, 26, a Toppesfield man was feeding the threshing machine with beans, he left the feeder to get a fork from E.Cook who was on the fore part of the machine, upon returning Coote slipped and stepped on to the revolving drum, he was immediately drawn in by the left leg and his lower body was torn away and smashed to pulp, he died without speaking.

Haverhill Echo

August 27th 1938

A nasty accident befell a Cavendish man, Arthur Bullock, on Wednesday. He was working with the threshing machine moving straw from the elevator when his head came in contact with one of the spikes on the elevator, tearing open his cheek from temple to chin. His employer Mr D.Payne took him to Dr Ritchie who conveyed him to St Leonards Hospital where his wounds were attended to.

Unrest and arson over Threshing machines

The Bury & Norwich Post

March 1st 1815

Yesterday se'nnight about 20 people of the labouring class collected in a riotous manner in Gosbeck near Ipswich and destroyed two threshing machines and threatened to destroy many others.
The magistrates took steps to support these proceedings. Eight men were conveyed to Ipswich gaol, two of these were allowed bail. When the magistrate left the gaol he was surrounded by the populace who hooted and pelted him till he took refuge in the Great White Horse Inn, the street was filled with people standing about discussing the Corn Bill.
Sir William Middleton the magistrate was unable to return to Shrubland Park until 10 am at night when the crowd dispersed.

The Bury & Norwich Post

April 7th 1816

On Sunday last a fire at Mile End at Colchester totally destroyed a threshing machine.

The Bury & Norwich Post

May 22nd 1816

In noticing the destruction of a threshing machine at Cornard last week, we now find it is standing in the Market place at Sudbury and is only partly destroyed, i

The Bury & Norwich Post

May 28th 1816

Extract from a letter from Finchingfield in Essex.

" I have just returned from the place where the rioters have assembled to the amount of 200 people armed with implements of agriculture as weapons.
Last night they destroyed Mr John Smith's threshing machines then this morning they visited Mr Robert Smith's farm at Byton Hall and destroyed a plough on a new construction.
On Friday last there was a crowd of nearly 200, armed with axes, saws, spades etc, when they entered the village of Gt Bardfield with the intention of destroying threshing machines, mole ploughs etc, they made their attack on the premises of Mr Philip Spicer who had the spirit and resolution to defend his property with the assistance of 20 of his neighbours who were unarmed and by the Waterloo movement got between the rioters and the barn where the machines were and they wisely retreated.

The Bury & Norwich Post

May 28th 1816

James May the younger was charged with threatening to set fire to a barn belonging to General Elwes at ? but having given surety of safety he was discharged. Five other men were committed to Bury Gaol for riotously assembling at Hundon and destroying two threshing machines.

The Bury & Norwich Post

July 31st 1816

For breaking a threshing machine at Stoke by Clare, 12 months each to Thomas Meers, George Farrant senior, Mary Jackson, Richard Rogers. George Farrant junior and W. Farrant 6 months, George Frost, three months, C.Meers, T.Swallow, William Turner, John Deeks, Sarah Jackson, J.Angel were discharged.

The Bury & Norwich Post

August 7th 1816

Jacob Halls, Samuel Gridley, Rhinaldo Bareham and Henry Atherton were convicted of burning a threshing machine at Clare, 13 months gaol to the former three and the latter 9 months.

The Bury & Norwich Post

January 8th 1817

At Sudbury for sale on the Market Hill, a recently built threshing machine, substantially built for four horses with all the gears.

The Bury & Norwich Post

March 20th 1822

On Monday morning several hundred labourers assembled at Laxfield for purpose of breaking threshing machines, they proceeded to Mr Greenwards at Cratfield and destroyed his machine then on to Mr Flatman's at Laxfield who informed them that he did not intend to use his machine anymore, they then went to Mr Garrad's, James Read's, Mr Julian's, Mr Wilkinson's and Mr Spalding's and shivered their machines into 100's of peices.

The Bury & Norwich Post

December 22nd 1830

On Thursday morning at about 9 o' clock a person of gentlemanly appearance and aged about 60 passed through Stradishall in a gig, he was observed to be dropping some papers, on them being picked up they were found to be of inflamitory nature and threatening to put the farmers in bodily fear if the labourer's were not better paid, they were signed " SWING", he was followed by Mr Brown, steward to Mr Rayner of Stradishall who succeeded in having the person apprehended at Stoke by Clare, he was conveyed to the magistrates and he stated he was Joseph Savill of Ampthill in Bedfordshire, he said he was collecting straw plait and had on him 700 pounds, we are led to believe his intellect is disordered.

The Bury & Norwich Post

December 29th 1830

At the Borough Sessions at Bury the Recorder stated that there was no disorder in the town and he wished it to be known the bodies of people assembled for reduction of rent and tithes is punishable by death also that for destroying threshing machines the penalty is 7 years transportation.

The Bury & Norwich Post

January 5th 1831

Editorial in the Bury Post.
The sword of justice is falling on the disturbers of the peace, hundreds of husbands have been torn from their families and some will shortly expiate their guilt on the scaffold, the law has vindicated it's authority etc etc.

The Bury & Norwich Post

January 12th 1831

There is a sad list of 65 persons for trial at the present Sessions at Bury, 36 of them for riotous proceedings. There are 5 from Thurlow, 1 at Stoke by Clare, 7 at Chevington, 6 at Melford, 2 from Whepstead, 4 from Cockfield, 10 from Withersfield for threatening to destroy threshing machine.

The Bury & Norwich Post

January 12th 1831.

It is reported in a Edinburgh paper that unlike the labourers in England the Scottish labourers will not engage with farmers who have not got threshing machines.

The Bury & Norwich Post

April 16th 1872

On Saturday last at Newton, about 80 men, being the entire adult labouring population, went on strike for a rise in wages.
For two previous days the land has lain idle and barley seed unsown. The masters complained of the manner of the strike and the time chosen more than the terms demanded by the labourers. During the winter months nothing is deducted from their wages although it is difficult to find work for them although some of the men earn only 2s 6d a week. Now the weather has changed they have ungratefully gone on strike for 2s a day.
The rector the Rev Charles Smith says of late years the wages were 10s a week and older boys could earn 3s 6d to 5s a week. The men take the harvest and the women can glean and there are a few extras such as beer or malt and horsemen receive 1s 6d a week extra. There is not much piece work now since the introduction of threshing machinery previous to which men worked in threshing for six months of the year. Rents are 4L per annum and there are gardens and small allotments. The men argue they don't know about capital but they should not be in poverty while the master's sons and daughters were riding and driving about in such style, they admit that the master's are kind and often put little things their way but they don't want charity.