Does anybody know how Brass Founders learned their trade? Were they apprenticed? My g-g-grendfaher was a Brass Founder in Clerkenwell in the early to mid 1800's. After the collapse of the watch making industry due to cheap imports from the US, he fell upon hard times and died in Clerkenwell Workhouse in 1867.
The site oldcopper.org deals with Birmingham brass founders, and there were 100's. There doesn't appear to be any mention of apprenticeships though. Several of my forebears were brass founders and the majority of them were clearly cases of sons following in their fathers' footsteps.
If he was an apprentice, it might be worth contacting the London Metropolitan Archives or the National Archives to see if there are any indenture records held by them. However, as many were private agreements, not all the paperwork survived. Click here to read a short article about Apprenticeships.
I believe they served apprenticeships. I have a number of brass founders - my great aunt's husband worked in a foundry not far away making ships' bells. Welcome to Top Dog, Charles.
Google brings up a photo of brass foundry apprentices in the north-east from just over a hundred years ago (Tyne & Wear museum). A lot later than your ancestor, Charles, but an interesting photo.
Seems that Brass Founder/Brazier are apprenticed. 'The Fraternity of Brass Founders was incorporated by letters patent of James 1 in the year 1614' Google books that I omitted getting the name of. Lots on google anyway about Brass Founders and their mates Braziers.
Got it. 'The Complete Book of Trades' by Nathaniel Whittock, John Baddcock and John Bennett. 1837 Great book. Explains every trade known to man. Might bookmark it for future refs.
Thank you all. I will look into these suggestions drekly. At present busy celebrating my 90th with a glass of bubbly at my side!
Guessing that's 90 Birthdays Charles- not glasses. Congratulations for yesterdays attainment & wishing you a lovely year ahead.