Bricklayer in London in 1800's

[Hampshire Lass]

Incredible information Darren, Thank you so much.

I really like to think my 3x Great Grandad was involved in that sort of building.

I don't get to London very often but I'll look at Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, The Royal Exchange and Trafalgar Square, with a totally different kind of respect from now on. An amazing thought

[Nick29]

Places like the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, etc, would have been built more by stonemasons than bricklayers.  If you want to see the art of bricklayers in London, look towards the railways, houses, and smaller shops. 

[Hampshire Lass]

Oh, OK Nick, I expect you're right there, but it's still interesting to imagine what London would have been like in 1820-1850 when all the historical buildings like those mentioned were under construction.

[janetbournecarling]

I just found this site while looking for information on bricklayers.  My 3rd great grandfather was at least a journeyman brick layer.  He did have others working for him.  In the 1841 census he lived in Ledbury and in 1851 he lived in Kings Norton.  In a family story it is said he and his sons build several homes on one street and that street was nicknamed Bourne's row.  Does anyone know anything about Bourne's row?

[HeatherLynne]

Hi Janet, welcome to Rootschat! 

Do you have any idea where Bourne's Row might be?  Does the family story say it's in London or could it be somewhere else?  There's a Bourne's Row and Bournesfield in Hoghton near Preston, Lancashire that Google maps found when I searched.  Bourne's Row is a terrace of houses that could be old enough to be the ones you're looking for.

Hope that helps, Heather

[CndBrn]

  Hi, I found your story fascinating, to have that many generations of bricklayers. I have multiple generations as well, I'm also a Brick and Stone Mason.

I've seen a few old videos of Bricklayer/Masons back when they did it all, footings, foundations, from plumbing the toilets and sinks to roughing in windows/doors. They even did roofing, putting the shingles on. When complete, if called for they'd parge/render the building. They were the original Jack of all Trades

I managed to find a pretty old video that gives you an idea of what was expected of the Masons'
https://youtu.be/oEL3K45yWUw

          Here's a 354 year old short-story (Bricklayers' Parable) called "The 3 Bricklayers"

     After the great fire of 1666 that leveled London, the world’s most famous architect was commissioned to rebuild St Paul’s Cathedral.

One day in 1671, Christopher Wren observed three bricklayers on a scaffold,
one crouched, one half-standing and one standing tall, working very hard and fast.

To the first bricklayer, Christopher Wren asked the question, “What are you doing?” to which the bricklayer replied, “I’m a bricklayer. I’m working hard laying bricks to feed my family.”

The second bricklayer, responded in a similar wat but slightly different, “I’m a builder. I’m putting up a wall.”

But the third brick layer, when asked the question, “What are you doing?” replied with pride in it’s voice, “I’m a cathedral builder. I’m building a great cathedral to The Almighty.”

Author of the Three Bricklayers: Unknown.