History of Southampton 1637 . On the 7th July 1637 , Widow Rouse was given permission , by the Assembly , to remove soil from the towns ditches . A large amount of people`s filth was illegally thrown into the ditches , and the channels constantly needed clearing . "Soil" was not a description of "earth" in this context , but a rich mixture of dead animals , dung , offal , ordure and rotting vegetables . Widow Rouse appears to have wanted this foul mixture to spread on her own ground , presumably as a means of fertilising it and making it more productive . This use of human sewage and general refuse was a practical way of removing the problem , but the waste was also considered an asset which should be made available to the community . Widow Rouse was therefore directed to take every seventh load that she removed to the Saltmarsh for the use of the town . Here she should lay it in the five places "as she shall be assigned" , How big a "load" was , or how extensive her grounds were , must remain matters for speculation .
Posted on: Sat, 06 Jul 2013 23:23:03 +0000
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