My first feeling would be to tell them all to do one, as they probably had a cheap beer money type windy on it, and now he's f'd off, they all realise that the grass is not always greener. However for me it would depend on a few things i.e,
Is it fast easy cream work?
Can i afford to lose 6 close/tight jobs? (which u did anyway)
Do i do any others in the cul de sac? (apart from those 6)
Do i think this would happen again?
Depending on the above, and if i did take them back on, thinking that they have all learned from it, and will now stick with me, i would tell them all that these jobs where due a sml price increase next april, BECAUSE i wouldn't want them to think that i am penalising them, EVEN THOUGH I AM! for f'king me around.
Also i would explain that the pricing is what it costs, when running a straight business! and that you are lucky he didn't damage anything before he disappeared! Good luck m