A REPORT OF COURT CASES ON SATURDAY JULY 15th 1871
LEAVING SERVICE
Hannah Williams was summoned by Mr William Scutt, Farmer, Reedness, for absenting herself from his service. She had run away three times within as many weeks and her master did not want her back. He had paid her £1 on account and his son had promised to pay a bill of 17/6 for clothing which she had. These two items just about came to the sum due to her for the time she had served. Hannah said it was too hard work for her and that was the reason why she left. she was reminded that the law was for the servant as well as the master and she could have gone to the authorities for help. Instead she had acted in an unwarrantable way. She was fined £1 plus costs of 16/- and was allowed eight weeks to pay.
Fanny Hunt, of Crowle, was charged with unlawfully leaving the service of Mr Scholey, West Ings, Eastofts, on 27th June 1871, she having been hired at Crowle, in November last, at £8 a year.
If the Housekeeper, Mrs Fletcher, would take her back there would be an end to the case on her paying the costs of the present proceeding.
Fanny said, “I shan’t go back unless they behave better to me”.
The magistrate, Mr Wells, assured her that if she persisted in her determination she would have a much larger sum to pay as a fine.
Fanny consented to return.