Contract Farm Worker - Steam Engine

[Evad_dj]

My Great Grandfather Sam Reason (1858-1924) from Tysoe, Warwickshire owned a steam engine which he used for contract farm work.
I am trying to find out where this steam engine may have been manufactured / purchased and also what type of work he may have done with it. Ultimately I would like to find out what happened to it.
Also my grand mother Adeline Reason told me that he damaged his hand while operatin this machine. Any ideas where I could find medical records relating to such an injury? Many thanks

[Carmela]

Hi,
I don't have time at the moment to do an extensive search, but most likely your gt. grandfather was a thresherman. Threshermen went from farm to farm at harvest time to thresh grain (wheat, oats etc.). This was still happening in the the 1950s, but I think by then many threshing machines were powered by gasoline (petrol) rather than steam. These machines were gradually replaced by combine harvesters. I have fuzzy memories of threshing days on the Devonshire farm of my childhood. Extra men would be hired for the day and neighbours would come to help. All very exciting for a small child.
Sorry, I can't provide more detail, but it was a long time ago and I was very young.

Cheers,
Carmela

P.S. for a description see:

http://www.virtualsk.com/current_issue/harvesting_nostalgia.html
 

[mickgall]

Hi Evad

try these links to steam traction engines they may be of help

http://www.steam-up.co.uk/

http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/ejones/tony/strt1.html


Mick

[kmo]

http://www.waterend.freeserve.co.uk/Stmplo1.jpg

The picture in the link shows a steam engine ploughing.

A steam engine would sit on each headland and the plough would be towed from one to another on a wire rope.

They could also be used for cleaning ponds by attaching a scoop  on the wire rope and dragging it from side to side.

Using a belt drive off a pulley they could also drive any sort of machinery  eg circular saws  for processing timber in a forest.

[runner]

Hi
I have a feeling that there was an article in 'Old Glory' or one of the other steam traction/vintage commercial vehicle magazines about a year ago about your family and their business. I think there is an active steam heritage group around that area.
Perhaps a contact with one of the magazine editors might produce either a direct hit or , at least suggestions for other contacts
Best of luck with the search and if I can find my old magazines........?

Russell