Every colliery would employ blacksmiths, sometimes in quite large
numbers. In the 1840s they would probably have been based on the
surface, assisting with any surface construction work etc, but would
also venture underground; carrying out work on rail points and turn
outs, where anything comlicated was required, for example. A fireman
is, of course, a completely different job. But it was not uncommon to
change trades, particularly where it was perceived that there was the
potential to earn more money. Thus it may be that someone employed at
the colliery as a blacksmith would switch to being a miner and progress
to being a fireman.
Barry Job.
-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Eve Gardner
Sent: 29 June 2005 23:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Blacksmiths and mining
William Hallam (1819-1888) was a miner but not from a mining family --
thus, he didn't fall into mining naturally or as a matter of course. His
father was a blacksmith and William was trained as a smith. Some time
after 1848 William became a miner and in the 1871 census he was said to
be a fireman at a coal pit. This was his title also when he died in
1888. My question is, would his being a smith have been an advantage in
applying for work at the mines? Was there a job in the mines in the
1840s and 1850s that would have required the training of a smith?
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