In the days before rural Wimbledon developed into an urban part of south-west London, most of the population worked on behalf of a small class of wealthy landowners.

Some were tradesmen, others were direct employees, working on the land or within the big houses. The majority of women in particular were domestic servants.

Exactly 174 years ago tomorrow, on 6 July 1839, one S. E. Buchan, mistress of one of Wimbledon’s dame schools for young children, sent a letter to a job applicant applying for work as her “assistant”.

The letter, a revealing piece of social history, is among the many documents held by the Museum of Wimbledon at 22 Ridgway.

Here are some extracts:

“The duties comprehend in some degree those of a lady’s maid, housekeeper, confidential companion, needlewoman and nursery governess.

"The assistant has to take charge of all my clothes and to mend them, air them, look them out, fold them and put them away, and to do everything that may need doing.

"To wash and brush my hair and keep the brushes and combs clean.

"To do all my needlework, superintend all the domestic affairs, look after the servants, see that everything is right in the house, get up my lace and muslins, do the ironing.

“See that the meals are properly prepared and sent in, be responsible for the cooking, take the charge and management of all eating things; cook chops, steaks etc for me, make jam and tarts.

Nurse all invalids, take charge of the bed furniture, window blinds, curtains etc. Be with the pupils and take care of them when I am away from them, take charge of their clothes, combing and washing, getting up, going to bed, meals etc.

“The assistant sleeps in my room in a separate bed, washes, dresses etc in another room. The assistant always has to sit up till after 1am in bed as I am too nervous to be left alone of a night. Good health in the assistant is indispensible as her duties are numerous and fatiguing and my own health is very indifferent.

"None but a very healthy person would suit me. The assistant has to go to church or chapel as may suit me best. The assistant is looked on as one of the family quite distinct from the servants.

“As to salary, it will depend on the experience and value of the lady I may engage with. I have never given more than £10 per annum but if the lady were really worth it might perhaps give more.

"At all events I would increase the salary one sovereign [pound] every year as long as the lady continued with me.

"I pay the coach fare outside to the station and the washing for the lady but she is obliged to be very careful as to her washing.

“Should you think the situation likely to suit, please send all particulars immediately as I have many applications. Whoever comes must be willing to do anything and everything I require.

“I am, madam, your obedient servant, S. E. Buchan. Saturday, 6th July 1839.”

The Wimbledon Society is working with the Wimbledon Guardian to ensure that you, the readers, can share the fascinating discoveries that continue to emerge about our local heritage.

For more information, visit wimbledonsociety.org.uk and www.wimbledonmuseum.org.uk.

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