William Ford Saddler, Collar And Harness Maker, Of Frome Selwood

A Memory of Frome.

William Ford was one of the many skilled horse collar and harness makers in the Frome area in the 1700s. Such equipment was vital in those days when horses were depended upon for farm work and transport.

William began as an apprentice in 1755 when aged 13, and continued right through until his death in 1799. During that time he took on apprentices to help ensure the survival of this specialty work, as well as ensure industries depending on this equipment continued to be serviced, especially in the farming sector before the invention of motorised farming machinery.

During William's working life, he and other Masters paid a tax for each indenture for apprentices engaged every 2 to 3 years, to learn the craft of collar and harness making, and saddlery.
The life of an apprentice was completely dependent on the master, and they relied on their masters for food, shelter and clothing. During their years of training, apprentices were not allowed to marry, gamble or visit public houses.
In the 1785 Frome Census, William and family were living in Broad St, Frome, with a household of 8 males and 7 females, including wife Ann, 2 sons and 5 daughters.
None of William's children followed his career path, and over time his business went to outside owners.

People such as William are now a rarity because of mechanisation, though small groups of dedicated people throughout the country are working hard to keep the skills alive.

Next time you look at images of horses in harness, working the land, pulling wagons, and all sorts of other labour, think of those skilled leather workers such as William Ford, whose hands fashioned leather into pieces of workwear for horses, ensuring livelihoods, food on the table and helping people to access places outside of their town, and generally live their lives a little fuller.