Numero oggetto
62/403
Descrizione
This man trap was found in 'Fisherwick Wood', near Whittington, Lichfield, in 1914. It has two sprung serrated jaws and a pan trigger. It was donated as part of a collection of objects which were nearly all made and/or used in the local area around Freeford Hall, Lichfield, Staffordshire. Much of the ironwork in that collection was made by a local blacksmith, Tom Windridge.
Descrizione fisica
1 trap: metal
MAN TRAP<br>Traps such as these were used to deter, harm and capture poachers attempting to enter a landowner’s territory. 1810 – 1830 saw the introduction of severe anti-poaching laws, suggesting a rise in poaching around this time and the start of an ‘arms-race’ of debilitating traps and tools of self-defence between poachers and landowners. This trap was used in the area around Freefield Hall, Lichfield.<br><br>MERL 62/403<DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>MAN TRAP // DETAILS // Categories Making Rural England // Theme(s) Countryside, War and conflict // Collection Trapping and Hunting Objects // Date // Object number 62/403 // DESCRIPTION // This is a trap designed to catch people. Landowners sometimes resorted to man traps in order to catch people trespassing on their land. People trespassed for a variety of reasons; sometimes for poaching – the illegal killing of animals on private land – or sometimes simply for hunting and gathering food to feed their families. // After much maiming on the parts of both landowners and trespassers, man traps with teeth were made illegal in 1827. They were replaced by ‘humane’ man traps, which were designed to trap people without undue damage.</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>
Storico archivio
MERL 'Handwritten catalogue' form – 'MAN TRAP // Found in local "Fisherwick Wood" in 1914., MERL miscellaneous note – ‘Accessions 62/400 – 62/507. // Items given to the museum by Major R.A. Dyott, Manor of Freeford, Lichfield, Staffordshire. // He started the museum in 1912 and gathered items of local origin and kept things that had been in everyday use about the Manor and on the farms. He was friendly with the local smith, Tom Windridge who did jobs for him over many years. Much of the ironwork is made by Windridge and is so indicated on the acc. Sheets. // Nearly all the items were found or used locally – see topographical entries.’, MERL miscellaneous note – ‘Note on visit to Major R.A. Dyott, Manor of Freeford, Lichfield. // The Major said that he would be willing to give a large part of his collection to the Museum if we can arrange for transport. He knows quite a lot about the individual items and is prepared to dictate details to whoever goes to collect the material. // The collection is a mixture of the useful and the peculiar – I have listed some of the items below. // Small wagon, panel sided, red, in good condition kept inside, (has new oak cross floorboards – originals were lengthwise) plus shafts and ladders // A number of handtools and other items made by the local blacksmith – the Major told him to make one of everything so after the blacksmith’s death he would have them to hand – a number have found their way into the collection. // Domestic items include servants bells, set of beer ration mugs used when the beer was brewed at the Manor. Malt grinding mill, maids’ oil lamps, trivets, coffee mill, copper kitchen ware. Pewter plates // Domestic three cylinder water pump used for supply from a spring. It was made in 1845 and was replaced only after the War. Restored and in good condition. // Four hubs and some blacksmith’s wheelwrighting tools. // All the items above were made in the area of Freeford or in Lichfield itself – he wished to have a record of local material…’
Data
1914
Nome oggetto
Materiale
Tecnica
Dimensioni
Documento esterno
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_4588.tif - High resolution image