Hog reeve facts for kids

A hog reeve was a special job in Colonial New England. A hog reeve, also called a hogreeve or hog constable, was a person whose main task was to stop or check damage caused by pigs that wandered around freely. These stray pigs were a big problem for communities. They could cause a lot of damage to gardens and farm crops by digging up the ground with their snouts.

What Was a Hog Reeve's Job?

Hog reeves had important duties to keep communities tidy and safe from pig damage.

Keeping Pigs in Line

Owners of pigs had to make sure their animals were "yoked" and had rings in their noses. A yoke was a wooden frame put around a pig's neck to stop it from squeezing through fences. Nose rings prevented pigs from digging up the ground.

If pigs got loose and caused trouble, the hog reeve would step in. They were responsible for catching these stray animals. Once caught, the pigs would be taken to an animal pound, which was like a holding area for lost animals.

Fees and Fines

If a pig didn't have a nose ring, the hog reeve would put one in. The pig's owner would then have to pay a small fee for this service. There were also rules and fines for owners who didn't yoke their pigs or control their animals properly.

For example, in 1865, on Prince Edward Island in Canada, pig owners had to pay 4 shillings to get their animals back from the pound. If a pig wasn't claimed, the hog reeve could sell it at a public auction. They had to post notices in public places two days before the sale. In New England, specifically in the town of Chelsea, Massachusetts, an owner of a stray pig had to pay 10 shillings for each pig.

History of the Hog Reeve

The job of a hog reeve started a long time ago in Anglo-Saxon England. Back then, hog reeves would stand at the doors of cathedrals during church services. Their job was to stop pigs from walking into the church!

Early Elected Officials

The hog reeve was one of the first jobs people voted for in Colonial North America. The very first rules given to towns in New England were about managing farm animals like pigs and cattle. These rules also covered fences and shared fields. A "field driver" had similar duties but dealt with all kinds of farm animals, not just pigs. The hog reeve was also an official job in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in Canada. It was even listed as an elected position in early records from New Hampshire towns.

A Humorous Tradition

Over time, the role of the hog reeve changed. In Massachusetts, towns could vote to stop enforcing the state law against letting pigs run loose. Many towns did this, which meant their hog reeves didn't have much to do. Because of this, it became a funny tradition to elect a man as a hog reeve during the first year he was married. It was a bit of a joke!