Genealogy Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Boards

Quick Search

Single word search

Tools

Findmypast DNA Banner

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

Cutler and Grinder

Login to Add Reply Watch This
ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Report 21 Jun 2006 12:44

I've just found my first convict. His occupation was 'cutler and grinder'. Googled it and I think it was a cutlery maker. He was found guilty of possession of stolen saltpetre. Apart from gunpowder, why would you use it in cutlery. Tried googling.

lindamic

lindamic Report 21 Jun 2006 12:48

Saltpetre is used for grinding/sharpening knives. He may have been a knife grinder as well as or instead of a knife maker. Linda :o)

Researching:
Families in: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Devon, Essex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, London, Middlesex, North Yorkshire, Suffolk, Surrey

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Report 21 Jun 2006 12:50

Thanks Linda.

lindamic

lindamic Report 21 Jun 2006 12:51

Actually ... on second look ... I think I was looking at something to do with pig slaughtering and curing, LOL. Scrap my reply above, sorry. Linda :o)

Researching:
Families in: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Devon, Essex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, London, Middlesex, North Yorkshire, Suffolk, Surrey

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Report 21 Jun 2006 12:53

Liked the first one better.

Merry

Merry Report 21 Jun 2006 12:56

It's also used (or was) for curing meat, so maybe that's what he wanted it for? Don't think it has any connection to his job? Isn;t it potassium nitrate? If so, then that is also used as a fertilizer, I believe. Merry

fraserbooks

fraserbooks Report 21 Jun 2006 12:58

I can't find a use for Saltpetre in knife making. But I did dig up the fact that it is an anti-aphrodisiac and used to be given to male prisoners. Now who said family history was dull,

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Report 21 Jun 2006 12:59

Maybe he just wanted to make gunpowder. Worked out well in the end. His wife paid her own way over. He got a land grant when he finished his time, and his son went on to be the 'father' of Melbourne. Learnt about him in school in the 60s. Didn't know till today we were related.

Snowdrops in Bloom

Snowdrops in Bloom Report 21 Jun 2006 13:02

But Annie, isn't that why there was always the 'joke' about not drinking the tea in prison? Snowdrops