The contributor's early working life, with details of wages...

Original Track ID

SA1952.05.A10

Original Tape ID

SA1952.005

Summary

The contributor's early working life, with details of wages and conditions.

The contributor's first job was filling in drains at [Feltechie?], Ellon, with Sandy Massie. He was eleven years old. When he told the dominie [schoolmaster] he was leaving he was cautioned not to fall in. He didn't like the job: it was hard, often cold and wet, and he was up to his knees in water; it was painful on the back and he had to walk up to four miles home. His father received his wages and when the contributor asked him for some money he was told he had his clothes and food. He blames the job for his rheumatism. At twelve years old he became a cattleman at [Milton of Coldwells?] for ten shillings a half-year. Then he became third laddie at [Sladens?] for £4 a half-year, looking after 27 cattle.

Item Subject/Person

Mathieson, Willie

Item Location

Language

Scots

Genre

Information

Collection

SoSS

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Good