Lighterman

[linda51]

I'm looking at an old brickwall and attempting to break it.
William Jones, Lighterman is the father named on a marriage certificate in 1867 for the son, also William Jones.
William Jones - the son - christening on 14th February 1819 Parish of New Windsor, Berkshire. William s/o William and Mary, Bargeman of Spital.

Any ideas how to get more information on this Bargeman / Lighterman?

[Treetotal]

Some useful information here:

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=647978.0

Carol

[linda51]

Thanks Carol

I had a go at searching the database earlier this afternoon and put in just the surname Jones and Berkshire.........no results. It could of course be me!!!

[BumbleB]

This might be useful:

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-records/thames-watermen-and-lightermen-1688-2010

[linda51]

Thanks, but that doesn't have anything. The information I have is probable marriage:
William Jones. Aged 43, born 1782. Spittall. Burial 8 December 1825. St Andrew, Clewer.

and burial:
William Jones. Aged 43, born 1782. Spittall. Burial 8 December 1825. St Andrew, Clewer.
and occupation given on the marriage certificate of his son - also William Jones
.......and christening records for his children:
14th February 1819. Parish of New Windsor, Berkshire. William s/o William & Mary Bargeman of Spital
26th May 1822 Mary Jones, St Andrew, Clewer d/o William Jones Lab and Mary of Spital Row b 28th April 1822
7 May 1826 Charlotte Jones. St Andrew, Clewer. d/o Wiliam Jones Bargeman and Mary of Spital

Bargeman or Labourer?

[Viktoria]

As I undersrand it, a lighterman supplied ships/ boats .
He would have a small boat and would take food supplies etc, to ships at anchor but not right in hadbour.
There is one in my family  tree ,in the 1881 census.
“ Lighterman ,off the coast at Hull”.
Viktoria.

[linda51]

Thanks Viktoria. I can imagine that would certainly be the case on coastal waters, but this is Windsor in Berkshire.................but perhaps he took supplies to smaller boats or barges. I'm not sure how navigable the Thames is past Windsor - though I think barges go up at least as far Henley and possibly further, but huge great ships surely wouldn't sail there. On the other hand, he could have been provisioning boats from Windsor eastwards towards London and the coast.

[Viktoria]

Yes, a lighter was a type of barge ,so perhaps there would be inland ones too,as well as provisioning ships they also took cargo off ,hence “ lighters”.
Viktoria.

[linda51]

Thanks Viktoria - that helps my understanding a lot.

Do you think lightermen would need apprenticeship - or even a licence..........anything which may have left a paper record.