Tobacco

"One little known industry in East Worcestershire was tobacco growing - an outlier of the Gloucestershire industry centered on Cheltenham and Winchcombe. Fourteen plantations in Worcestershire were known as early as 1627. The industry was continually under attack from the Government, which was trying to protect its income from the Virginia plantations. This initially encouraged growers to support the Parliamentary cause, but the Commonwealth took the same line. In 1659 court cases were brought against plantation owners in Kempsey, Upton Snodsbury, Pensham and Eckington for growing and curing tobacco. Each had 400 poles (10,117 square metres) under cultivation and each was fined £400 (£1 per pole). The North American variety that was grown in Worcestershire was slightly hallucinogenic, which may have explained the vehemence with which it was defended. The industry survived until the end of the 17th century."

Atkin, Malcolm 'The Civil War in Worcestershire' p.13 Sutton Publishing; ISBN: 075091050X (Click here for more details from Amazon.co.uk)

"In 1695 John Redding of Kempsey was fined for planting, growing, setting, making, and curing tobacco at Kempsey."

from Reverend R.C.Purton MA, 'Historical Notes Relating to the Parish of Kempsey' read at the Guildhall, Worcester 11th December 1900.

© 1999 Andy Morrall

Last updated 3^rd October 1999.

E-mail: andymorrall@geocities.com

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