28 Hird Robt. Garner per week 6 6 Earnest 10 6 Pd him towards it 1 0 I am to make his earnest about 5s. more in something.[75] Mar 8 Then hired Jno Barker for ye huvels (ovens) @ 5 6 Pd earnest in part 1 0 Pd it to pay more 1 0 Ap. 9 Hired Siah Spoade, to give him from this time to Martelmas next 2s. 3d., or 2s. 6d. if he deserves it 2nd year 2 9 3rd year 3 3 Pd full earnest 1 0 June 2 Hired a boy of Ann Blowers for treading ye lathe, @ 2 0 Pd earnest 6 1751 Jany 11 Then hired Saml. Jackson for Throwing Sagers and fireing, per week 8 0 Whole earnest 2 2 0 Pd in part 1 2 0 Pd more [_sic_] 1 1 0 1752 Febry 22 Hired Josiah Spoad for next Martlemas, per week 7 0 I am to give him earn’ 5 0 Pd in part 1 0 Pd do. 4 0 1753 June 21 Hired Wm. Marsh for 3 years. He is to have 10s. 6d. earnest each year, and 7s. per week. I am to give an old coat or something abt 5s. value. Aug. 29 Hired Westaby’s 3 children, per week 4 0 Pd earnest 6 1754 Feby 25 Hired Siah Spode per week 7 6 Earnest 1 11 6 Pd in part 16 0 Apparently workmen were hired by the year,[76] and the highest wages paid were 8s. a week. It will be seen that there has been practically no increase in wages since the early days of the century. One wonders where Wedgwood and Spode obtained the capital wherewith to start their businesses.