1 note
Joan is John rendered in the Lancashire dialect. He is the hero of several ballads sometimes under the name of Johnny Green (see bar199 Johnny Green's Trip from Owdhum to See the Manchester Railway).
Greenfield is in the Chew valley; 21 km east of Manchester.
Hand loom weavers income fell from 19-25 shillings in 1800; to 5-6 shillings in 1832
Margit is Margaret rendered in the Lancashire dialect
The ward is possibly the work-house
"work with a spade" may be a reference to railway construction on the Lancashire area which was in need of navvies; however it is unlikely that John would have the strength require by that work.