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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Topic started by: Acrossthepond on Thursday 10 May 07 04:09 BST (UK)
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Does anyone know if Hansom cab drivers were at one time required to register with the Metropolitan Police Force in London (late 1800's) when they took out a license. I am wondering if the paperwork might still exist somewhere for the registration or the licenses and whom I might contact. I'm not sure if my g-grandfather was a 'cab driver' or a coachman around that time, but both must have needed licenses I presume?
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Some useful information about cabs at
http://www.victorianlondon.org/dickens/dickens-cha.htm
In 1643, Oliver Cromwell granted licenses for 200 hackney carriages to ply for hire in the streets of London. That was the birth of the licensed hackney cab. Over the years, the form and number of Hackney carriages changed. From horse drawn coaches in the 16th century to hansom cabs in the 19th,
http://www.taxi-premier.net/34.html
See also http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A744888
Stan
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The Metropolitan Police records are held at TNA, Kew, and there are lots of relevant pieces in the catalogue:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/default.asp?
Try searching for hackney carriage or public carriage office
Enjoy your browsing.
Good luck
Colin
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I assume they were registered with the police. My great grandfather was also a cab driver in census returns for London in 1881 - 1901, and on the 1911 census he is described as "Pensioner Police"