Extract from "The Cheshire Township of Kelsall 1841-1891": An Example of Demographic Change
Conclusions
The preliminary findings suggest that Kelsall followed established 19th century patterns with significant out-migration compensated for by equally significant in-migration.
Population Origins (by percentage of total) Kelsall, comparison of the ratio between in-migrants & Kelsall born
The majority of the migration continued to be related to agricultural factors, though toward the end of the 19th century the balance has clearly swung toward a populace of in-migrants providing labour for commercial enterprises, and the small but growing element of retired and independent inhabitants, see appendix table 4.
Farming had maintained its position as the primary employer in the district, providing positions for experienced workers and farmer's families, though their influence was clearly declining. There was evidently a collapse in the ten years following 1861 that could be attributed to the 1865-1866 devastation of the dairy herds. The abnormally large swing to non-agricultural labour provides an indication of alternative employment, possibly in road and rail construction. Scard notes the 1863 review by Cheshire landowner John Arden "William Booth, wife and four children, all young, no constant employment, sometimes employed on railway, which would lend support to this view.
The percentage of inhabitants occupied in commercial enterprises grew by 45 percent indicating a move toward a combined agricultural and residential community of larger households together with supporting the needs of those retired and of independent means. The increase in domestic servants in commercial households is a good indicator of this community change.
Kelsall continued to attract people to settle and commence their families, with 55 wives below 43 years compared to 47 in 1881. The influx of retired and "independent means" inhabitants indicates that Kelsall proffered the prospect of a pleasant rural village in which to reside.
Significantly changing the ratio of agriculturally focused employment to commercial enterprise, Kelsall, as a community, had adapted to the external environment
Copyright D G Dickson 1998