Leicestershire & Rutland Family History Society – Honest Men But Destitute :The Plight of Leicestershire’s Framework Knitters

Many families from Leicestershire will find at least one framework knitter amongst their forbears. By the middle of the 18th century the trade of knitting stockings, socks, shirts, gloves and other garments on ‘stocking frames’ had become centred on Leicestershire and surrounding counties. The numbers increased and by 1844 it was calculated that there were over 18,500 frames working in the county. By this date, however, the trade was already in the grips of a severe depression and many framework knitters faced destitution and even starvation.

This talk by Jess Jenkins will look at the plight of framework knitters in the 1840s in particular when a government report was carried out, looking into the condition of the framework knitters. Come along to find out more, whether or not you have framework knitters amongs your ancestors.

Doors open at 7pm for a start at 7.30pm

Tea and Coffee available & CD/Book Stall.