Wages and allowance for Grooms, Soho House

Description:This memorandum sets out the wages and clothing allowances for various grooms employed by Matthew Robinson Boulton at Soho House.

Thomas Poynter came to Soho as Groom 1st February 1820 on wages of £12 per annum with a stable jacket and overalls to be allowed him. "... if he conducts himself to Mr Boulton's satisfaction perhaps a coat or something of that nature (or boots) may be given him in the form of a present at the end of the year." Poynter left Soho on the 9th of February 1821.

John Pendleton, Groom had wages of 7 guineas per annum from 16th May 1821 with 9 guineas in his second year. His clothes allowance was a jacket, overall trousers, a coat, waistcoat and breeches "at pleasure" (that is when it suited Boulton). There is an additional note that the hat was to have an oilcase cover but no gold band.

There seems to have been confusion about when Pendleton started at Soho as the memo continues "John Pendleton says he came to Soho 10th August 1822 wages 9 guineas per annum & 2 suits of livery with boots & hats."

Thomas Hassard came to Soho on the 14th December 1823. His wages were to be 9 guineas the first year and 11 the second. His clothes allowance was a jacket and overall trousers, a coat, waistcoat, breeches, hat with an oil case cover and a pair of boots.