Diary of William Tayler, footman 1837
An 1837 Diary gives some picture of life in the neighbourhood at this time. William Tayler, who became a footman in St. Marylebone, was born in 1807 in Grafton, a hamlet near Farington, in Berkshire. His father was a small farmer with a large family to settle. There was no room in farming for so many, so William went into service, at first fairly near his home, but later in London. London was so unhealthy that few children in poor families survived. Those who did were often of such weak physique that country bred people were needed for heavy manual work. In addition many of the London Poor were considered vicious and dishonest, so there was a demand for domestic servants from the country. William Tayler came to London in this way.1 In 1837, at the age of 29, he was employed by Mrs Princep, of 6 Cumberland Street, now replaced by the Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch, while his brother served at Buckingham Palace. He was married, but since he had to live in, his wife lived in a series of pleasant and very respectable lodgings, in Exeter Street (now Ashmill St) and Earl Street (now Broadley St) and his son was christened at Christchurch. He wrote the diary 'to improve his handwriting', but it does not seem to have improved his temper. Many comments are astringent, for he had a keen eye and saw a little more sharply than his employers may have realized. The diary describes his life minutely; going on holiday with the family; taking children for visits to relatives and glad to see the back of them; pretending to go to church and instead sloping off to see his wife; cursing his pen. Small beer, but the very stuff of history.