Genealogy Chat

I'm old enough to have known my grandfather - and Tommy! I had horses of my own until about three years ago. Getting too stiff now to ride. Had two Belgians, a quarterhorse and an Indian pony. Could ride him without a saddle, he never tried to wipe you off on trees, was trained for hunting and could 'point' for game. Got lots of stories about my bunch. Broke my heart when I had to let them go. The LMS would, I think, be out of Manchester as grandfather's area was around Stockport. Tommy used to get into scrapes too - helped himself to a cabbage once - right out of a lady's basket as she walked by.

Thats a fantastic story Joan. It makes me wonder, I'm the only person in our family who loves horses and rides on a regular basis. Maybe I got it from him! Now I need to know which company it would have been in Manchester. How did you find out about your grandfathers occupation? Who knows I might even find the name of his horse!!!

My grandfather was a carter for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. He had a draught horse and cart. His horse, Tommy, was the love of his life and was solely in his care. When my grandfather retired Tommy was retired also and grandfather still cared for him - they had been together for over 20 years. Tommy knew every stop on their route and would not move from any place he had received a carrot or sugar until he had received his tidbit.

Thanks for that Anthony. Looks like I'm going to have to start digging around to find out who employed him. He lived in Cheetham (Nth Mcr) so I suspect he may have worked out of Victoria, Piccadilly or even Central Station as it was. Never thought I would say it but may need to get my hands on a Railway enthusiast!!

Back in 1871 my gt grandfather was a horse keeper for the railway, so presumably they were the horses that pulled the carts.

A railway carter was employed by the railway Co.. He was the original 'white van 'man. Goods would be offloaded at the station and the carter would deliver them around the district by horse and cart. They were still around in the 1950s Tony

I've had a look on google and it also refers to a railway porter. My great grandfather was in the early 1900's.

Possibly a chap with horse and cart who collected goods from the railway station and delivered to the destination? Heather

I have looked it up on Google...it says a carter is someone who carried goods by wagon, so supposedly a railway carter is someone who transported goods by rail?

Does anybody have one of those books which explains occupations? Ta