occupation: Gas Founder

[leslie48]

I've  just received info on my ancestor from the 1841  census from Cheshire, and his occupation was listed as a "gas founder".  I've done numerous websearches with no luck.  Any ideas what this would mean?

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi there leslie

Have searched my Oracle for Gas-Founder without success.

My own thoughts on it are:

Gas was produced by cooking coal in an oven (waste product was then called coke) and the resultant gas (now called 'town gas') was stored in large holders.

The operation was very much like a foundry with the coal and coke ovens - so the person worked in this type of environment

Chris in 1066Land

[leslie48]

That would fit in with what he did when he came to America.  He became an iron worker when he came to Buffalo.  

Thanks for the look.

[ChrisRose]

I have “The Gas Founders Handbook”.  Josiah Hilliard 1861, it even tells you the right type of shovel to use with which to throw the coal into the oven.  Chris is right that’s exactly what a Gas Founder was or is I supose if they are still around.

[leslie48]

Thanks folks--I really appreciate the information.  

Happy Easter to one and all!