The court and the newspaper reports of a trial at Castle Rushen, November 1833 of Sarah LYNCHEY and her son Thomas records witnesses stating that Thomas was "singing ballads" and later that he was "sinnging and selling ballads".

Would this mean he was busking or would he be composing ballads for money?

Also it refers to Sarah as a "labourer". She was a widow with at least 5 children so would need some means of support.
Would "labourer" refer to a menial job or actual labouring in today's sernse?

Finally I have yet to find the son Sarah was forced to leave behind; or anything about sarah or her husband.

Cheers

Peter
Melbourne
Australia