Role of Puddler

[crisGloss]

Hi

Thanks to all.

I am leaning toward iron industry as the more likelymeaning in this context.

Having said that it, seemed to me there was a possible connection between puddler [iron worker] and boat repairer, his trade in Australia being described as "boatman". It is noted that the Edwin Fox sailing ship "...was considerably strengthened by the use of various wrought iron knees and other metal straps..." in 1854 (https://www.nzmaritime.co.nz/edwinfox.htm ).

Another piece of evidence comes from the use of hulks as prison ships in British ports, up to 1857. The last hulks to be used were in Woolwick Dockyard, abt 1857, the period between his conviction [1854] and transportation [in August 1858]. In the website describing the Woolwick experience, there is a note:

In the early C19, up to 500 convicts a day were put to work in the Arsenal and Dockyard. The canal, a part of which remains, was dug by the convicts. They also dredged the river in front of the Arsenal and used the spoil to raise the level of the Arsenal's marshy ground.

Perhaps he learnt puddling -- in the sense of working with clay-- here?

Still investigating...
Chris

[crisGloss]

Hi
My GG was a puddler in England:

Correction to: " was described as a puddler in his convict record held (also written?) in Fremantle, Western Australia". Oops, sorry guys.... it was not reported in England but in Australia, so he may have acquired the skill elsewhere. Convicts were also employed in dredging operations in Port Louis harbour, Mauritius. They worked on boats... In England he was a soldier recruit.

Chris

[crisGloss]

Hi
Found out at Library:
[1] The Miners and Sappers did recruiting in Yorkshire abt 1850 and were in Mauritius in 1851. James Glossop was there in 1854, court-martialled in September 1854. The Sappers [inter alia] built canals and used boats extensively, and also recruited black smiths [puddler=boatman?].

[2] His father's occupation, as well as James' [at age 15], was "coal miner" [1841 Census, England], so that pours cold water on the "iron industry" idea a bit.

Chris

[crisGloss]

[1] "...it seemed to me there was a possible connection between puddler [iron worker] and boat repairer, his trade in Australia being described as "boatman".

[2]

In the early C19, up to 500 convicts a day were put to work in the Arsenal and Dockyard. The canal, a part of which remains, was dug by the convicts. They also dredged the river in front of the Arsenal and used the spoil to raise the level of the Arsenal's marshy ground.

Perhaps he learnt puddling -- in the sense of working with clay-- here?
Chris

Hi

An update, in case the new info raises some further input:Turns out he joined the 85th (Bucks Volunteers--The King's Light Infantry) Regiment, 1st Battalion, in 1852, which was in Mauritius 1853-1856.

Unfortunately it makes it harder to explain what he meant by a "puddler", as he was not a Sapper, but the prisoners at Port Louis were sent out to work on public works, which may have involved working on boats.

My cousin has been forthcoming with some more info re James, my GGG:

"In 1857 he was at Billbank[sic: Millbank], London. In [B]1858[/] Portland Prison.

Feb 25 1860. Hired by George Randell allowed to work on the river between Perth, Fremantle and Guildford. 26/- per week June 12 1860.

March 31st fined 5/- for neglecting to send in his yearly Returns on 31st December 1861. He appears to have been a Boatman."

Portland Prison was included in the "public works" program for prisoners, which may have seen him learn some new skills:

"The work within the new prisons included labour on naval docks, quarrying and in agriculture..." ("Crime, Punishment, and Reform in Europe" by Mary Anne Nichols, Louis A)

Chris

[Mutley]

Footnote: Moderator: hope you don't mind some observations arising from occupations...

Chris

Observations arising from occupations is fine Chris, however you have now included in your update, information that you have also placed on another thread.
Members are really keen to help and you may find that the same answers will be given on both threads, even though they are not answers to the questions you originally asked.

This is the link to Chris's other thread.

[crisGloss]

"...questions you originally asked..."

My misunderstanding: I thought I was continuing the same line of enquiry, namely: "What was the occupation of my relative?" In other words: unravelling what he did [context centered]. I am learning that the thread is for simply asking: "What activities does the term cover?" May I explain that I was also thinking occupation specialists took an interest in this particular forum vis a vis other forums... Whether that is true, I now question.

Cheeers
Chris

[Mutley]

You are not doing anything wrong Chris, you are asking different questions and placing them on the appropriate forums. The threads are very interesting. The questions, however, ultimately refer to your ggg, James Joseph Glossop

Members open a thread if they are interested in the subject and think they can help. The thread can take a detour because they will often ask further questions or pick up on additional information given during the course of a thread.

In the future - days, weeks, months even in years to come, someone may open this thread and give answers without realizing that extensive research and solutions regarding your ancestor have been given on other threads.

A link to other threads that refer to the same ancestor by name can be helpful both to members and researchers.