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1815 - The end of the Napoleonic wars
We start our time travel in 1815. The Duke of Wellington
has defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo and the whole
of the country celebrates the victory over France and its
allies.
Sheffield had suffered badly during the war because many of
the European countries had stopped buying its goods. This
caused terrible poverty in the town. Out of a population of
31,000 there were over 10,000 people in need of help from
the parish.
For more information, look at the Thomas
Sands page.
When the European trade started again the population of Sheffield
grew rapidly, mainly because of its steel industry. By 1841
there would be 110,00 people within its boundaries, and hardly
any sanitation.
For thousands and thousands of people, there were no toilets,
no clean water. All household rubbish from these overcrowded
dwellings - including excrement! - was dumped in the street
and flowed through an open sewer.
 These living conditions meant that disease was common and
people did not live long. At this time the citizens of Sheffield
died at an average age of just 27.
For more information, visit the Margaret
Green page. |
