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Archiver > LANARK > 2003-01 > 1043022190


From: Pat McIntosh-Spinnler <>
Subject: [LKS] Re: Hammerman
Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 00:23:10 +0000
In-Reply-To: <200301190701.h0J71FnY016901@lists5.rootsweb.com>


Kieran asks what a Hammerman did.

I think the answer is-- he used a hammer. The Hammermen was a survival of a
mediaeval gild which united all the trades which used hammers, so it
included any kind of metalworker-- blacksmith, whitesmith, coppersmith,
tinsmith; goldsmith, indeed; riveters and shipbuilders. I think it cd be
stretched to cover stonemasons and people who worked with wood. Can you
think of any other trades which used a hammer?

In the context of the original posting, with rivetters and shipwrights and
painters under the same roof, it seems likely that the two hammermen were
shipyard workers, but that still leaves a fair choice of specialist trades.

The ancestors want to be found, but they don't make it easy for us.

Best,
Pat


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