Patience Kershaw

A tragic song popularised by Roy Bailey

Not sure on the details as to who wrote it and year of composition

From memory included in on of Roy Palmer's books??

The details are directly from the Children's Employment Commission 1842 report by Samuel S Scriven ~ employment of Children and young persons in Mines and Collieries of the West Riding of Yorkshire

Patience Kershaw say (no 26)

"I wear a belt and chain at thw rokings to get the corves out. The getters are naked, excepting their caps. they pull off all their clothes. I see them at work when I go up. They sometimes beat me if I am not quick enoughj, with their hands. tney strike me on my back. the boys take kiberties ith me somnetimes. They pull me about. I am the ONLY girl in the pit. There are about 20 boys and 15 men. All the men are naked. I would rather work in the mill than the coal pit".

Comment made at the time:
A deplorabale object, barely removed from idiocy. her family receiving £2 19s 6d per week

A full Report contains much about the topic

Ray