CANAL-PEOPLE-L Archives

From: "Phil Lamb" <>
Subject: [CANAL-PEOPLE] Contractors on the Canals
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 14:28:19 +0100

Hello Yorkie
The term Contractor can mean different things depending upon the time
frame and location. When the canals were being built it would refer to
someone who was engaged in the building of them. Rather like the men
(companies) we have seen in the last 45 or so years contracting in the
building of the motorways. The great days of canal building had finished by
the mid 1800's.
After this time the term Contractor would refer to what today would be
called a haulage contractor. He could be a "one man band" or a sizeable
operation. eg: FMC, Barlows, T& S Element, ( a descendent is/was on this
list) or Pickfords. Both these later are still in existence but carrying out
haulage work by road.
I am by trade a draughtsman and a few years ago was self employed or found
work through an agent. I was known by those that I worked for as a contract
draughtsman.


Phil in Hales Owen



-----Original Message-----
From: Yorkie <>
To: <>
Date: 27 October 2001 12:40
Subject: Re: [CANAL-PEOPLE] Tracing a relative - Beighton


>Hi Phil,
>
>You mention the term 'contractor'. Can someone please
>define the meaning of this 'job description'. I have ancestors who I know
>were connected with the canals and the employment description on census
>returns describes them as 'contractors'. At first I thought perhaps
>glorified labourers but after reading your letter I am beginning to
question
>this.

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• [CANAL-PEOPLE] Contractors on the Canals by "Phil Lamb" <>