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Author Topic: Porter in 1840s Liverpool?  (Read 1207 times)

Offline Mercia118

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Porter in 1840s Liverpool?
« on: Monday 13 January 20 09:42 GMT (UK) »
Title covers it quite well really, what would a porter actually have been doing in 1840?
I'm working on David Anderson, whose recorded as a Porter in 1840 and 1841.. I'd assumed porter was just a slightly upper-market way of saying a docker, but given his address of Parr street, I'm thinking it might have been something more warehouse based?

Anyone know what sort of financial status this would have been? I've been hoping it was quite low down so his sons would be in the Caledonia school records  ::)

Thanks in advance!

Offline Pennines

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Re: Porter in 1840s Liverpool?
« Reply #1 on: Monday 13 January 20 09:56 GMT (UK) »
He could have been on the Railway (the Liverpool-Manchester line was up and running by then). Or in a hotel.

What is he on the next census - or is his occupation shown on children's baptisms?

I can't imagine it being a well paid job - it wasn't skilled as such.
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Offline Mercia118

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Re: Porter in 1840s Liverpool?
« Reply #2 on: Monday 13 January 20 10:07 GMT (UK) »
Ah I hadn't thought of the railway!

Unfortunately David drops off the records after 1841; I think he dies in 1849.
I'm still trying to verify his children, the only one I know for sure is:
 Robert (born 1809 in Scotland), who notes his da as a porter at his marriage.
James (born 1826 Liverpool)
John (born 1827 Liverpool)
The baptisms I'm *almost* sure are for both of them don't show an occupation..
I think there was also Andrew, born 1811 Liverpool, but I'm still checking that!

Offline medpat

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Re: Porter in 1840s Liverpool?
« Reply #3 on: Monday 13 January 20 11:49 GMT (UK) »
My gt gt grandfather was a porter of stationery but where that was I don't know. He did however live by the railway station in Walsall but that's in the main high street area so may have been a small factory or warehouse close to the centre of Walsall.
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Offline Milliepede

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Re: Porter in 1840s Liverpool?
« Reply #4 on: Monday 13 January 20 11:56 GMT (UK) »
Have a look up and down the census street you have him on in 1841 and see if any other similar occupations or even the name of somewhere larger he may have been working jumps out.
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Offline mazi

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Re: Porter in 1840s Liverpool?
« Reply #5 on: Monday 13 January 20 13:14 GMT (UK) »
If you google. Old Liverpool parr street.     You can see images of parr street, a mix of warehouses and housing of a sort.

It’s my thought that he was most likely moving small goods from dockside to warehouse using a two wheel handcart, although there are many other options

Mike
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