The Rota of Ditch-Days

A found paper of Sogmarsh — Nettlewick parish; kept by the Turn-Keeper. Recovered damp, and annotated in three hands.

ROTA of the DITCH-DAYS owed by each Household to the Keeping of the Drains, that the water may go where it is sent and not where it likes.

Muckle — six days owed. ✓✓✓✓✓✓ "Pa attended one day, in his best coat, and directed. Bett attended five, and dug. Counted as six." Tussock — six days owed. ✓✓✓✓✓✓ "Attended — but re-dug the Muckle stretch 'to show them,' and turned the water into the Muckle low field. UNDER DISPUTE. Referred to the Boundary-Finder." Uncle Jeb — six days owed. "Claims exemption on a bad back that appears only on ditch-days. Owes six. Has owed six since 1871. The debt is now considered a landmark." Vern Clack (of the Muckle holding) — six days owed. ✓✓✓✓✓✓ "New. Attended all six, fell in twice, dug the wrong ditch once (which needed digging anyway), and is well thought of." Gammer Sowden — exempt. "Delivered two babies and a calf on the appointed day. The parish has agreed this is a form of drainage."

A household short of its ditch-days is not fined. It is remembered. — the Turn-Keeper.