The average wage of the common agricultural labourer as assessed at Quarter Sessions was 3½d. per day in winter, and 4½d. per day in summer, in addition to his meat and drink. Actual wages paid confirm the truth of these figures, though it is not always clear whether the payments include meat and drink.[122] Footnote 122: Paid to a shovele man for 2 days to shovell in the cart rakes, 2s. (_Hertford Co. Rec._, Vol. I, p. 233, 1672.) 2½ days’ work of a labourer, 2s. 6d. (_ibid._, p. 130, 1659). For one daies work for one labourer, 1s. (_Strood Churchwarden’s Acc._ p. 182, 1662.) pᵈ. to James Smith for one days’ work thatching about Widow Barber’s house, she being in great distress by reason she could not lie down in her bed and could get no help to do the same. 1s. 2d. (_Cratford Parish Papers_, p. 152, 1622.) Thatchers were paid more than ordinary labourers, being generally assessed at the same rate as a carpenter, or a mower in the harvest. _July 15, 1676._ Tho. Scott for workeinge hay 2 dayes, 4d. Tho. Greaves youngeʳ for workeinge hay 2 dayes, 4d. _May 5, 1678_, Will Braithwᵗ foʳ threshing 6 dayes 1.00. _April 27, 1676_, by mᵒ. pᵈ. him for thatching 2 days at Petties Tenemᵗ, 8d. _August 2, 1676._ pᵈ Margᵗ Dodgson foʳ workinge at hay & otheʳ worke 5 weekes 03. 06. pᵈ Mary Ashbrner for workinge at hay & other worke 4 weekes & 3 dayes, 03. 0. 0. _Sept 4._ pᵈ. Will Nicholson wife foʳ weedinge in yᵉ garden & pullinge hempe 12 dayes 01. 0. 0. _Oct. 2._ pᵈ. Issa. Atkinson for her daughtʳ Swingleinge 6 dayes 01. 0. 0. _May 7, 1677._ pᵈ. Will Ashbrner for his daughteʳ harrowing here 2 weekes 01. 0. 0. (_Fell (Sarah), House Acct._) Labourers’ wages 4d. per day. (_Hist. MSS. Comm. Var. Coll._, Vol. IV. 133, 1686. Sir Jno. Earl’s Inventory of goods.) Weeks’ work common labourer, 3s. Thos. West, 1 week’s haying 2s. (_Sussex Arch. Coll._, Vol. IV, p. 24, _Everendon Acc. Book_, 1618.) Paid for a labourer 3 dayes to hoult the alees and carrying away the weedes, 1s. 6d. (_Cromwell Family, Bills and Receipts_, Vol. II, p. 233, 1635.) _Jan. 26, 1649._ Payd. to John Wainwright for 5 days worke 1s. 8d. [Yorkshire]. (_Eyre (Capt. Adam) Dyurnall_, p. 117.) Thos. Hutton, xiiij days work ijs. iiijd, his wyfe xij dayes iiijs. Thos. Hutton xiij dayes at hay vid, his wyfe 4 dayes xvjid. Leonell Bell, xiij dayes about hay, vjs. vjid. Tho. Bullman the lyke. iiijs. iiijd, Thos. Hutton 4 dayes at mowing corne, xvjid. _Howard Household Book_, p. 40-41).