CARRIERS OF GOODS

Transport was vital to all parts of the economy, whether it was a wagon of hay driven to the next village, or the long-distance carriage of large or valuable cargoes. The documents shown here concentrate on the people involved, and so relate to road and canal rather than to the more mechanised railways. Controllers at the wharfs and warehouses were also key figures in the process.

As noted in the introduction, Staffordshire’s geographical position between important trading centres, both cities and ports, meant that several major road and canal routes passed through the county. In particular, the canals became essential to the safe conveyance of fragile pottery products, and their building had been promoted locally by the major pottery manufacturers in the eighteenth century.

Entrusting a cargo to someone else was at times a risky business, and there are many signs of frustration and bad-feeling. If goods were stolen or damaged in transit then the supplier would suffer financially, as goods were rarely paid for in advance. On the other hand, if the carrier suffered an accident, he might find himself greatly out of pocket. Another financial aspect is revealed in the various tolls, licences and duties that were payable for use of the roads, and for the sale of some types of goods. For instance, customs and excise officers were involved in supervising the transport of salt which was produced locally within Staffordshire, and also transported from neighbouring Cheshire.