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Archiver > CHESHIRE > 2010-01 > 1263217119


From: "Adrian B" <>
Subject: Re: [CHS] Thomas Lea 1773
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:38:45 -0000
References: <BLU0-SMTP186116EAF5464D3258EE7EBE6E0@phx.gbl><316815.22204.qm@web86706.mail.ird.yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To: <316815.22204.qm@web86706.mail.ird.yahoo.com>


<<snipped>>
I also have an ancestor who was a cordwainer, I believe this to be a
boot/shoemaker who worked in expensive Italian Leather ie they were at the
better end of the trade ! Mine lived in Hereford early-mid 19c.
<<snipped>>

I understand that's what the derivation of the word "cordwainer" was, but I
am not sure if it's necessarily true in later years or other places. The
word "cordwainer" seems to be the usual word for a boot or shoemaker in
Nantwich but from memory, the typical product there in the 19th century was
the "Nantwich Boot", which was favoured by agricultural workers. This seems
more likely to be a basic boot than something to be favoured by the upper
classes - maybe the name started out there referring to more skilled workers
but just got used everywhere.

Adrian B

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