Fire Man

[Daiwalker]

Hi all, my 3rd great grandfather's occupation in 1851 is Fire Man. His occupation in 1841 was Iron Founder ( casting iron in an iron foundry). Does this suggest that the occupation of Fire Man is related to an iron foundry? and if so, what would his job entail? He was living in Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend in 1851, what would be the nearest iron foundry? Thanks in advance for any help you could give, regards.

[Cas (stallc)]

Some history - scroll down to bottom & see map.

https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300018955-cefn-cribwr-ironworks-the-furnace-and-charging-house-cefn-cribwr

Only heard of a fire man in the colliery, not ironworks, but stand to be corrected. (Excluding Firefighter)

http://www.worldthroughthelens.com/family-history/old-occupations.php

See fireman

Cas

[MollyC]

Fire Engine was a early name for a pumping engine, i.e. a steam-operated beam engine as used in mines, which may have used a Fire Man to produce the steam.  (Previously pumps were operated by horse-engines = horse-powered gins.)  By analogy, the name may have been transferred to someone who attended to a furnace generally.

[west]

In the 1780s there was a industrial area in Cefn Cribwr called Bedford Park. If you go to the following web site it explains the history.

ggat.org.uk/cadw/great local sites/pdf/Bedford ironworkspdf.pdf

Hope this helps.

West.

[MollyC]

I think that should be:

http://www.ggat.org.uk/cadw/great_local_sites/pdf/Bedford_Ironworks.pdf

[hanes teulu]

Old map showing Cefn Iron Works
https://maps.nls.uk/view/102342571#zoom=6&lat=2855&lon=3255&layers=BT

[Daiwalker]

Thank you all for the replies, the iron foundry/ Bedford Iron works seems to have finished by 1836, but the link to the  map that was posted is brilliant. I would assume then that he was probably a stoker for some sort of steam engine, a colliery maybe? thanks anyway, regards.

[hanes teulu]

A "fireman/fire man" can be found in a range of employments - railways, ships, colliery and iron works etc..
The old map identifies the Cefn Iron works - so why plump for a colliery?. If you search Welsh newspapers you will find "Fire man/Fireman" in in various "Works" - not collieries.

What does come across in searching is just how dangerous this job could be, wherever employed.

pob lŵc

[Daiwalker]

Hello hanes teulu, thank you for your reply, assuming the Cefn Iron works is the Cefn Cribwr / Bedford Iron works, it says it was closed in 1836, my 3rd great grandfather was a fireman/ fire man in 1851, this is why I assumed if he was living in Cefn Cribwr  he was possibly fire man in one of the other industries stated on the map, a colliery or brickworks maybe? your suggestions would be gratefully received. Regards.