Martham Photograph Album of Shops, Businesses & Trade
Prior to 1837 the economy of Martham was largely based on agriculture. At that time the population was just over 1,000. Of these people:
- About 38% were 14 or under and most of those were of school age.
- About 29% were 15 or over and had no employment. Many of these would have been housewives looking after home and family.
- About 33% were working.
- Of those that were working 45% worked on the land whilst 55% had a range of other jobs.
The Victorian age saw a boom in the economy nationwide and Martham was no different. A new class of workers and tradesmen were emerging that were often self employed and provided services like plumbing, painting, carpentry and building.
By 1891 the population, according to the census, had increased by 18% to 1,182. Of these people:
- About 34% were 14 or under and two-thirds of those were of school age.
- About 29% were 15 or over and had no employment. Many of these would have been housewives looking after home and family.
- About 37% were working.
- Of those that were working 39% worked on the land whilst 61% had a range of other jobs.
So, during these 50 years there was a reduction in those working on the land as labourers or famers and a commensurate increase in those working in other employment. In this photograph album I have tried to connect properties, people and work with each other so that as far as possible the variety of shops, businesses and trades are connected with the premises people lived in and/or worked from.
You can click on any of the images below to zoom in on them and then scroll through using the left and right arrows.