Day 83. Domestic Service.

            Maids at Alscot Park, c.1880.

In the 19^th century it became fashionable, in not entirely necessary, for wealthy households to employ as many servants as affordable. This was fuelled in part by the desperate need for working class women to find a source of income, as discussed yesterday.

In 1871, around 4% of the UK population,  mostly women, were in service, working as housemaids, cooks, nursemaids and many other roles. All of the farmers and many of the wealthier craftsmen in Preston employed one or more resident domestic servants. These girls and women did whatever menial tasks their employers had no inclination to do – preparing meals, serving tea, lighting fires, housework and countless other things. They typically slept in the attics and spent their time in the kitchen when not working in the 'best' rooms, and were 'rung for' by means of a bell.

The bells in the kitchen of Park Farm, probably installed in the 19^th century. One links to the front door; four connect to the main bedrooms; and two – his and hers – connect to the parlour. Each bell has a different tone so the servant would know at once to which room he or she was being summoned.

 

 

                       Some of the bell pulls.

The changing social structure, especially following the First World War, saw a drop in the numbers of women in service. Many other career paths were open for women; compulsory education gave the working classes better prospects; labour-saving foodstuffs and household appliances reduced the need for a large number of servants; and the better-off people were considered able to pour their own tea. Domestic servants largely disappeared from our culture in the 20^th century.