What did a ball man in a brewery do? Please

[ozchook]

Hi all, I'm researching for a friend, and found one of her rellies, an Alexander Maule who lived in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, who worked at Doll's distillery as a ball man. 
What would his job have entailed?
Thanks in advance.
Regards, Irene

[bervonian]

Could it be a 'boll' man ?  A boll is a measure of capacity for grain, etc., used in Scotland and the North of England.  Usually 6 imperial bushels.  Perhaps someone will be able to give a more definitive explanation.

[stanmapstone]

A brewery is not a distillery
A ball man , aka pot still man, charged the still in the presence of an Excise Officer. He judged the state of the wash by sound, by swinging a suspended ball against the neck of the still, or tapping with a wooden hammer.
Stan

[ozchook]

Thank you Bervonian and Stan, for your replies.
It's funny Stan, I woke up this morning (in Oz) and the first thing that came to mind was that a brewery is not a distillery. Duh, silly me.
 

Sounds like a ball man had a very cushy job. Thanks for that interesting explanation.

Regards, Irene

[stanmapstone]

Hi Irene,
You can read about a pot still at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_still
The pot still man, or ballman also regulated the heat of the still as the ingredients of the still, the 'wash' were liable to overflow if overheated.
Stan

[ozchook]

Thanks Stan, Another interesting reply.

Regards, Irene

[Revolution]

Hi Irene

Im one of Alexanders descendants. Have you seen my blog and the newspaper story about how he died along with his wife?

https://cerberuscoins.wordpress.com/2021/03/22/maule-family-of-scotland/

Regards

[Calleva]

Another source:

http://www.talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15288