DORSET-L Archives

From: Will Stevens< >
Subject: What exactly was a "Dairyman"?
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 98 11:27 BST-1

Can anyone add to, correct, comment on what follows?

As I understand it, a "Dairyman" was someone employed to manage some
else's dairy herd, to be responsible for the cattle, and for producing and
selling the dairy products: milk, cream, cheese. Generally, living
accommodation went with the job. They were paid, either a salary, or on a
profit share. They didn't themselves own the cattle, or the land or the
dairy equipment. Many were on fairly short term contracts, and so moved,
with their families, from place to place - there are examples in the
Census Returns of Dairymen's children being born here, there and
everywhere.

So they seem to have been high-grade agricultural workers. Questions: were
they invariably on one-year contracts? Did they attend the annual hiring
fairs with the other classes of labourer, or were they too superior for
that?

Incidentally, they seem to have survived in Dorset well into this century.

Any additions/corrections gratefully received.

-=Will Stevens=-

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• What exactly was a "Dairyman"? by Will Stevens< >