44 A PICTURE OF THE IRON TRADE. 



that I am inclined to suspect that these were rather used as 

 coffee houses or clubs than as residences. 



But iron was sold in the country as well as at London. Large 

 quantities were bought at the furnaces. Bar iron was sent to 

 Sheffield, and to Boston, in Lincolnshire, and in greater amounts 

 was delivered at Nottingham Bridge, and at Derby. The smaller 

 articles, such as saws, were sent occasionally by wagon, in one 

 instance from Bredsall to London. 



There were no country bankers in those days, and the work 

 which they now undertake had to be performed by every man 

 for himself. Money was sometimes sent by the carrier, for I 

 find fifty pounds in one journey, and nearly as much in two 

 others, brought from London by Hemingway, the Chesterfield 

 carrier : but bills of exchange or returns were invariably made 

 use of. Returns from London could easily be obtained at 

 Chesterfield or Sheffield by anyone well-known in those towns, 

 but a comparative stranger would get a friend to send his servant 

 to direct him to the likely people. Occasionally, however, we 

 find someone "labouring" to get a bill without success. In 

 order to make the process clear, I give a few extracts. 



G. S. to Mr. Copley, ffebr: i: 1663. 



S r , I have yours of this date wherin was this enclosed bill, wch I 

 send you back, for I have none occation for mony at London, but have some 

 there wch I would gett returned for my more then ordinary occations at 

 prsent for mony here; yf you please to lelt your servants looke about they may 

 finde returnes: 



G. S. to Lionell Copley, March 16: 1665. 



"You talke of 200 li you have alt London which will be due before 

 the 24 th of this moneth, why doe you not looke about to get it returnd. if you 

 will send Tho: Blake to Chesterfield the next Saturday Tho: Starky shall gne 

 alonge with him to assist him." 



G. S. to Cosen ffranceys August 27 1664. 



" This day fortnight John Finch the Ironmonger will be with you, and 

 hath faithfully pmised to pay six hundred pounds to you, for iron wch he 

 bought of me ; I have contrived it soe that it will be noe trouble to you, but 

 onely to goe into Paules Churchyard to one M r Joseph Sheldon who lives 

 at the Golden Kay there, and tell him you h.ive order from me to see soe 

 much paid to him for my Cosen Jnr. Roger Allestrey's use. M r Jeremie Half hid 





