These look like better off folk who have fallen on hard times.

Perhaps the man was put out of business by the manufactories producing cheaper goods.

He may have been addicted to Geneva spirits (gin) which could be bought quite cheaply and lost his job.

Or he may have speculated unwisely in one of the new companies (perhaps put his money into a canal company) and lost everything in that way.

The family have been reduced to living in a garret (attic).

They have fallen behind with the rent and now the bailiffs have come to turn them out on the street.

Back