How did people wake before clocks? One way, at least if they lived in London’s East End, was to hire Mary Smith, a 'Knocker-up', who rose early and shot dried peas at her customer’s windows until they woke. Mary didn’t have a snooze alarm. She kept firing peas until they showed their faces. -A Passion For Family History- © Docklands Ancestors Ltd. If you have arrived at this page through a search engine and you are missing a menu, or other elements, then please click here.