M&D's Wages

[RICHARD ROMEO]

I'm rummaging thru a social history of england during the 18th century 
and am curious to find out that Mssrs M&D were not lavishly paid.  
Baltimores and Penns paid approx 3,000 pounds to M&D for close to 5 years 
work (not all of it safe, no less)--that's about 60 pounds/year, 30 ea.  
No wonder they bicker over money with the sea captain and b/w themselves 
before shoving off to the Cape.  studies showed to keep a family in 
clothes, vittles, and under roofs would run to approx. 30-40 pounds per 
annum about this time, 1760 or thereabouts.  No wonder mason's dad needed 
to bail out his son.
As comparison, 300 pounds was the least to keep a gentleman in style.  
There seems to be a conflict with Mason--he so much wants to be an 
insider in the Royal Society (would everyone agree?--I'm not sure either 
way--more digging to be done).  Dixon couldn't care less.  
Folks goin to America at this time knew the hazards.  Surely, M&D were 
underpaid?


Richard Romeo
Coordinator of Cooperating Collections
The Foundation Center-NYC
212-807-2417
rromeo at fdncenter.org