Well Sinkers of the world unite!

[first-things-first]

Hi

My Gt Grandfather (and his father) were both well sinkers in the census and official documents. I have been trying to find an historical body who might be able to help with more information as to the occupation, employers in the London (specifically Shoreditch/Hackney area).

I have chatted with the historical diving society (Well Sinking/Diving can be related I have been told) who said they do not have any information on my ancestors. Family legend has it that my Gt Grandfather died whilst diving during construction of Southampton docks. I have found no trace of his death in local Hackney papers (have his death certificate in 1900 which states causes as "Syncope, Overloaded stomach and Weak Heart". Syncope as I understand it is lack of blood to brain). Death registered in Shoreditch. The coroner Wynn Westcott presided at the inquest as he was only 43 at time of death. I have been unable to find any coroner's reports from this time at the LMA. Anyone know different for the North East London Coroners courts?

Thanks

Andrew

[stanmapstone]

 Well Sinker was also the name for a man who drilled holes for artesian wells.

Stan

[cms]

Tagging onto this post .. . I would like more information on the occupation of well-sinking.

Would the well sinker be employed in this capacity full time? It seems unlikely.

What is the process of sinking a well, 100 years or so ago?

Before piped water, in the late 19th/early 20 th century, a householder got their water supply from a well if no water course was nearby? I am talking about in a village not in towns ... I assume that in a village, wells and pumps would usually be shared between several houses unless the property was large.

Any more info would be of interest.
Thank you

caroline

[youngtug]

I grew up in a village and our house and the one next door had there own wells. Also several other houses had there own wells but mains water was laid on before I was born so a lot of the wells where out of use, therefore I do not know if every house had its own well or if some shared.  Taking water from a stream or river might not have been a good idea, I can remember some cottages built by streams with the toilet being a hut with a seat built over the stream.

[Berlin-Bob]

One of "my mob" was a well sinker and there are other topics about well sinkers on Rootschat:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,440032.0.html
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,484338.0.html

regards,
Bob

[cms]

Thank you,young tug. It is the same where I live, only our cottage was once three very small  'one up one downs' and we have a well, which served all three. it used to be fitted with a pump and trough.And bob, that's very helpful.

[GrahamSimons]

Not totally on topic, but of interest about wells:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20498306

(One of my more distant relatives married a Reade)

The Wiltshire farm where I grew up had its own well: when we moved in, 1950s, the water quality was tested and found to be not safe for drinking.

[cms]

What a great story !

I expect most well water would not now be safe to drink by our standards. However it is useful for car washing and watering plants. Waiting for the next hosepipe ban!!

[youngtug]

My grandparents lived off the beaten track and they only had a well for water up until they left in 1972/3. They always boiled the water but it was never tested as far as I know.