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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: greenvalley on Thursday 27 March 08 18:08 GMT (UK)
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Hi,
I found John Easson (1715-1790), master artificer, who was commissioned by the Board of Ordinance in London and sent to serve in Annapolis Royal in 1737.
So what did he do?
Greenvalley
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Hi
An Artificer was a military mechanic who carried out repairs.
Sandie
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thank you Sandie
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Hi
An Artificer was a military mechanic who carried out repairs.
Sandie
He was attached to the ordnance, artillery, and engineer service, to be employed in the construction of military materials as well as repairs.
Stan
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Engine Room Artificers in the Royal Navy today repair and maintain engines - they don't have to build them, not now.
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The reference was to a a soldier mechanic not a a mechanic in the Royal Navy. As far as I am aware there were no artificers in the Royal Navy in the 18th Century as the ships did not have engines only sails :)
Stan
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Thanks guys,
I take it that if he was a Master artificer, he was heading the outfit??
Greenvalley
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Just to add that at that time an Artificer or Artificier made fire-works or worked in the artillery laboratory, preparing fuses, bombs, grenades etc. The name was also applied to military smiths, collar makers etc. and to a particular corps.
From "A New and Enlarged Military Dictionary", 1805
I would assume that a Master Artificer would be a senior position similar to a Master Gunner etc.
Stan
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I've been looking in a book on naval records at TNA and while it does not give a definition of artificer per se, I get the impression that an artificer was a master craftsman. (In fact I have an 18th century relative, from a shipwright family, who is mentioned in the Artificer's Records of Deptford Naval Dockyard.) In the 18th century, artificers (civilian officers appointed by the Navy Board) could be warranted as inferior officers at sea. This would have included such craftsmen as sailmakers, caulkers, ropemakers and coopers. This practice died out in the 19th century.
Description books of Artificers 1748-1830 are held in class ADM106.
But since he was appointed by the Board of Ordnance, as Stan says, his line of work involved a bit more destruction than construction. ;)
Nell
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Thanks to all of you.
John Easson was stationed at the Fort in Annapolis, so him making fireworks, presumably to fight the French, makes perfect sense now.
Thanks for your help.
Greenvalley
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Can anyone confirm whether he was born in Scotland or England?
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Is this him?
https://memoryns.ca/easson-family-fonds
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A "Tiffy!" in naval parlance?
Skoosh.
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Yes, that is the same John Easson, but I have found conflicting reports of his birthplace. I’m thinking that perhaps he was born in Scotland but was living in England at the time he was sent to Annapolis, NS by the British. Someone has him listed as the John Eason born in England in 1715 but was christened in 1711. That doesn’t make sense to me. I was just wondering if anyone else has any information (family trees, etc) that may confirm my suspicions.
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The information I found on John Easson was that he was from Scotland, as was his wife Avis.
They were engaged in Scotland and she came over later to Nova Scotia marry him.
Here is a website about the family
https://novascotia.ca/archives/easson/
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Hi, aside from some fantasy-game personality, the dictionary said an artifice is/are clever or cunning devices or expedients, especially as used to trick or deceive others.
"the style is not free from the artifices of the period"
Presumably, then, someone gets to be a master of this hideous hobby... not to be judgemental...
Northumberland Daughter
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Have you read any of the previous replies?
Carol
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A bit early for the sherry? ;D
Skoosh.
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Hi Northumberland daughter
Artifice is also defined by Miriam Webster as "Clever or artful skill" not sure what's hidious about that.
Meanwhile Cambridge Dictionary gives the meaning of Artificer as a "skilled mechanic in the armed forces" in modern useage and the archeic meaning as a "skilled craftsman or inventor" Still see nothing hideous there.
Hope this helps a bit. :)
Happy Christmas ;) ;)
Greenvalley
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Hello, I guess I should have let that one go. Googled the words and delivered what I got - nope, I'm not on the sauce. Google maps are often wrong, too. Best of the Season to you. ND