Stone Mason

[otterlady]

Hi can anyone tell me what sort of building etc would a stonemason born 1790, in Bampton, Oxfordshire undertake. Married early 1820's and according to the various census stayed in the area, did not move to Oxford until in his 50's. Thank you

[t mo]

well having looked up bampton on google to get an idea of what sort of place it was/is although only a village way back in the 1790,s no doubt he would have turned his hand to most types of stone work as the village improved and more houses and shops were built from stone instead of wooden frames and plastered also he no doubt would have travelled around looking for work this is the begining of an age of prosperity for a lot of people , have a look at the site www.bamptonoxon.co.uk/  click on parish council on the next page click on history it ,s an interesting article on the history of bampton .
trevor

[Dulaigh]

Most  likely Rough stone Mason as distinct to Cut stone Mason. Both had different skill sets. Usually inherited within families.

[adam smith]

Were apprenticeships served for this occupation?

adam

[otterlady]

Hi not sure about whether he served an apprenticeship but would love to know any ideas how I can find this out, On the all the census's he if down as a stone mason

Thanks

Sheila

[t mo]

for stone mason apprentiship records check out the tna they have a guide on there regarding them , also don,t forget that from stone masons came the free masons it all began with them back in time even within the stone masonry trade different mendid different jobs those that did the carving didn,t necessarily do the fitting .
trevor

[Maggie.]

As in the excellent Ken Follett novel 'Pillars of the Earth'.  Although these ficticious stone masons were involved in the building of a cathedral in the 12th century, the book gives a good idea of the different skills of the stone mason, apprenticeships and guilds.

I have stone masons in my family - it was the occupation of several generations of most of the men in one family.

Maggie

[t mo]

hi maggie
yes a great book well researched in the field of stone masons and also shows how they coveted there craft by not letting outsiders in hence again from this came the freemasons who at one time were almost a secret society .
trevor