SMITHS APPRENTICE c1851 Stirling.

[brionne]

Please can anyone tell me if a Smiths Apprentice in Stirling c1851 would have  been for a Blacksmith, or was there some sort of engineering establishment in the Stirling area at this time.

1851 Census,shows Barn Rd Stirling with John and Marion Murray.
Thomas McPherson,  16 unmar lodger Smiths Apprentice.
This guy later went into the Royal Engineers as an engine fitter c1870 Woolwich.
Any comments appreciated, as trying to find more detail on Thomas McPherson early life.
Thanks Brionne.

[little meg]

Hi Brionne,
I spotted your posting as I was curious with the mention of engineer.

I have a family of blacksmiths, when they travelled to Australia they are recorded in the shipping records as engineers.  At first we though it wasn't our lot, but because there was 3 brothers and one of them had a son age 14, you just couldn't find that twice.

so perhaps blacksmiths like to bignote themselves as engineers 
I don't know if this helps but felt it might be of some interest.

regards
Margaret