Night soiler???

[mikehicks]

Hi,
The guy was in the Wybunbury area of Cheshire (near Nantwich I think). I had thought of the pottery industry but have never associated that with rural Cheshire in the 1860s.

I'll try to find him in 1861 and take it from there.

Mike

[northern_rose]

Mine was in Lancashire- North Meols, a distict of Southport.
He lived at an address called Little LOndon, which I also found quite interesting- wonder where the name came from? ??

Just found this topic after searching for night soil.

I live in Southport - maybe you do too?

Anyway been here for over 5 years and have never heard of "Little London" was it the house name or area of Southport?

[carol sea]

Hi there
No I don't live in Southport but was sufficiently intrigued by my ancestors lives to visit last year, (just after the posting about Little London,actually).
I found a most helpful estate agent (yes, really!) who gave me a map and sent myself and my other half off in the right direction. Apparently. the area around London Street and London Square ( town centre - ish ) was known as Little London years ago.
One of them married a widow from Castle Street, which is very near by, so that convinced me that the info was correct.
Hope this is helpful.
Cheers
Carol
P.S. LOVE Southport!

[PaulaToo]

Of course, if your were a Night Soil Man your family might be a little dubious to spread the news to the world.
My dear old Thomas Richard Smith of Portsea is down as Labourer(Nightman)
Not good enough for his daughter Eliza Ann. On Both her marriage certificates Dad's occupation is 'Inspector of Nuisances'
  ho ho ho

[stockman fred]

re the Portsea night soil, It's funny how things surface (as it were)- I went to an archaeological talk last year given by the gent. who owns Cadland Manor by Southampton Water. He evidently went out with his metal detector and found a wonderful collection of 19th century Royal Naval buttons on his land. In fact he has become quite an authority on the subject.
He couldn't figure out where they came from until he delved into the records and found that his farm bought the night soil and road sweepings from around the  Portsmouth area and spread it as fertilizer. I think it was put on barges and taken up S'oton Water and the buttons went with it!
The dreaded "1880 farmers pocketbook" gives a complete chemical breakdown of the subject but suffice it to say it made their marrows grow!
Fred.

[Emmeline]

I have read in many books how sometimes the fellow would come along to do the emptying when one was firmly ensconced on the wooden seat. Those were the days !

[carol sea]

Well.........
I'm so surprised (NOT) that this topic is still getting read!
Had to be about the worst job available, I would think. Can anyone come up with a worse one?

Now, there's a challenge!!! 

Carol

[Berlin-Bob]

you might find one here:

Topic: Link: The Worst Jobs in History
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,165726.0.html

Bob

[carol sea]

Thanks, Bob!
I suppose fuller could be considered worse. At least my ancestor didn't have to climb into the stuff!

Carol