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Question

My forebears lived in Corsley from mid 18th century to at least 1901. I would like some guidance as to useful references to the social history of Corsley and similar villages for that period.

Question asked on

25 July 2005

Answer

You are very fortunate with Corsley in that it is the only village in the county to have had a socio-economic study in the early 20th century. This is,

Life in an English Village: an economical and historical survey of the parish of Corsley in Wiltshire, by Maud F. Davies. T. Fisher Unwin, 1909

In this excellent book there are 5 chapters on the history of the village from 1760 to 1905. Part 2 is a socio-economic survey and even includes details of household budgets and the menus of family meals.

Maud Davies was a pupil of the Webbs in London and carried out the survey following their teachings. Unfortunately the publication of the book provoked local hostility and her father, a barrister bought up the remaining copies of the book. Maud returned to London and a little later died under the wheels of a train. It is believed that she either committed suicide or was in a distraught state and didn't notice what she was doing.

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