Tin Plate Workers

[1pds]

I was checking graves in the churchyard last week ... we have one that says Mr X was a 'tinplate roller man' !!   

Hiya
a 'tinplate roller man' was the person involved in rolling iron plates and coating them with tin.

Cheers
failsafe

When I served an apprenticeship we spent the first year learning about many different trades, including tin plate work.  We took thin plate that was already tinned and rolled it using industrial rollers to make cylinder shapes, which we subsequently soldered and fitted a base to make beakers.  We didn't tin the plate, it came already tinned.

[tiawooster]

THE TIN-PLATE WORKER
Tin-plate, or tin, as it is usually called, is a composition of iron and block-tin, not melted together, but the iron, in bars, is cased over with tin, and then flatted or drawn out by means of mills.
In the year 1681, tin-plates were made in England by Andrew Yarranton, who was sent into Bohemia to learn the art. The manufacture did not seem to answer, and was even reckoned among the projects called bubbles in 1720: in a very few years it was again revived; and in the year 1740 it was brought to such perfection, that very small quantities have since that time been imported. Our plates are of a finer gloss, or coat, than those made beyond sea, the latter being chiefly hammered, but ours are always drawn out by the rolling-mill.
The tin-plate worker receives it in sheets, and it is his business to form them in all the various articles that are represented in the plate, such as kettles, saucepans, canisters of all sorts and sizes, milk-pails, lanthorns,
The instruments that he makes use of are, a large pair of shears to cut the tin into the proper size and shape, a polished anvil, and hammers of various kinds. The joints of his work he makes with solder, which is a composition of what is called block-tin and lead; this he causes to unite with the tin, by means of rosin.
The business of a tin-plate worker is very profitable to the master: and the journeyman, if sober and industrious, can with ease earn from thirty-five shillings to two guineas a week. The principal manufacturers in London, are Jones and Taylor's, in Tottenham-court-road, and Howards', in Old-street. These seldom employ less than one hundred, or a hundred and fifty men each. Those who manufacture tin-ware on a small scale may be found in every part of the metropolis; and one of the chief sources of profit which these smaller tradesmen enjoy, is that of lamp-lighting.
This business does not require great strength; but if a man would carry it on upon a large scale it requires a very considerable capital: journeymen's wages may amount to between two and three hundred pounds per week. In fact, the tin-plate-worker pays his men twice a week: for on the Wednesday night a bell is rung which announces to each workman, that the master or his chief clerk is ready in the counting-house, to lend money to those who cannot wait till Saturday night for their wages.
The large houses have constantly travellers in various parts of the kingdom; and, as they cannot carry the articles of their trade in saddle-bags, they have drawings of all works of taste, such as moulds for jellies, puddings, &c.

[1pds]

This business does not require great strength; but if a man would carry it on upon a large scale it requires a very considerable capital: journeymen's wages may amount to between two and three hundred pounds per week. In fact, the tin-plate-worker pays his men twice a week: for on the Wednesday night a bell is rung which announces to each workman, that the master or his chief clerk is ready in the counting-house, to lend money to those who cannot wait till Saturday night for their wages.

I was obviously born at the wrong time - I was only paid £13 per week...

[kerryb]

THE TIN-PLATE WORKER
Tin-plate, or tin, as it is usually called, is a composition of iron and block-tin, not melted together, but the iron, in bars, is cased over with tin, and then flatted or drawn out by means of mills.
In the year 1681, tin-plates were made in England by Andrew Yarranton, who was sent into Bohemia to learn the art. The manufacture did not seem to answer, and was even reckoned among the projects called bubbles in 1720: in a very few years it was again revived; and in the year 1740 it was brought to such perfection, that very small quantities have since that time been imported. Our plates are of a finer gloss, or coat, than those made beyond sea, the latter being chiefly hammered, but ours are always drawn out by the rolling-mill.
The tin-plate worker receives it in sheets, and it is his business to form them in all the various articles that are represented in the plate, such as kettles, saucepans, canisters of all sorts and sizes, milk-pails, lanthorns,
The instruments that he makes use of are, a large pair of shears to cut the tin into the proper size and shape, a polished anvil, and hammers of various kinds. The joints of his work he makes with solder, which is a composition of what is called block-tin and lead; this he causes to unite with the tin, by means of rosin.
The business of a tin-plate worker is very profitable to the master: and the journeyman, if sober and industrious, can with ease earn from thirty-five shillings to two guineas a week. The principal manufacturers in London, are Jones and Taylor's, in Tottenham-court-road, and Howards', in Old-street. These seldom employ less than one hundred, or a hundred and fifty men each. Those who manufacture tin-ware on a small scale may be found in every part of the metropolis; and one of the chief sources of profit which these smaller tradesmen enjoy, is that of lamp-lighting.
This business does not require great strength; but if a man would carry it on upon a large scale it requires a very considerable capital: journeymen's wages may amount to between two and three hundred pounds per week. In fact, the tin-plate-worker pays his men twice a week: for on the Wednesday night a bell is rung which announces to each workman, that the master or his chief clerk is ready in the counting-house, to lend money to those who cannot wait till Saturday night for their wages.
The large houses have constantly travellers in various parts of the kingdom; and, as they cannot carry the articles of their trade in saddle-bags, they have drawings of all works of taste, such as moulds for jellies, puddings, &c.

Thank you Tiawooster, that is probably the most comprehensive bit of information I have received on tin plate workers and what they did and the amount of money earnt may explain how James was able to afford 5 wives.  (at different times not altogether!)

Where did the information come from?

Kerry 

[tiawooster]

I brought a copy of The book of trades or library of useful arts 1811 vol 2, I also have vol 1 & 3 from the library if anyone needs to know about a trade I can look it up.

Mary

[axecalibre]

Amazing information, my g grandfather Richard Thomas, made his fortune (lost now!) from iron and steel trade and owned tinplate firms including Mellengriffith, so interesting to know how and what the tin was used for.

axecalibre

[geronamo2011]

HI there I am new to this site but MY ancestors BENJAMIN LOWE b.1834 and his sons were TIN PLATE WORKERS around bilston, staffirdshire before moving to Birmingham warwickshire from around when his son was born also named BENJAMIN LOWE b.1854 who continued the profession before they moved to Australia in 1883 aboard the DUNDEE ship; that is what his profession was listed as tinsmith/tin plate worker.

[Missmoss]

My first foray into a forum so please forgive any mistakes...I have a copy of my grandfather's birth certificate (Charles William Jones born 25th December 1864 Portway, Warminster, Wiltshire). Father's name Henry Jones, 'Tin worker and Umbrella Mender', mother Mary Jones, formerly O'Donel.  I also have a copy of Charles William Jones marriage certificate April 25th 1894 on which his father is named Charles Henry Jones, Tin worker. My father told me that my great grandfather lived in a cottage at Tintern, Monmouthshire but I've found no evidence as yet regarding him or Mary - work in progress.  I'm beginning to feel they may have been itinerant. (Charles William joined the police in Bournemouth and later became bodyguard/private detective to Empress Eugenie at Farnborough where my father was born).  There cannot have been much of a living to be made from umbrella mending!

[Lydart]

Hello Miss Moss, and welcome to Rootschat.   

Tintern (Welsh side of the R. Wye) is quite near (about four miles) to Redbrook, which is on the English side of the river.   Redbrook used to have a massive tin plate works, so it is quite possible its the place where your ancestor used to work .... many men would easily have walked that distance to work.

However, with Jones as a surname in Wales, you will have an interesting search ahead of you !   

You can try the Gwent Archives as a starter for information on the Redbrook works.
 
    Gwent Archives
    Steelworks Road
    Ebbw Vale
    Blaenau Gwent
    NP23 6AA   

enquiries@gwentarchives.gov.uk

The production of tinplate at Lower Redbrook began in 1771 and continued until 1961.