Hello listers, I am interested in canal and river folk working from Oxford, particularly those by the name of TAWNEY. Individuals I have listed are brothers William bc1605 and Nicholas bc1610, both boatmen and/or boatmasters (presumably a boatmaster owned his canal boat?). Nicholas had three sons, Nicholas bc1635, Edward bc1640 d1690 and William bc1650 d1686, all boatmen/boatmasters. Edward had four sons, Henry bc1669 d1717 river bargemaster of "Sovereign", Edward bc1671 d1744 river bargemaster, Robert b1679 d1745 river bargemaster of "Kings Arms" and Richard b1684 d 1756 river bargemaster. Robert had a son Thomas bc1717 d1763 river bargemaster. He also had a great grandson Richard b1774 d1832, a civil engineer engaged on the construction and running of the Oxford Canal. It would seem that canal development in the 1600s would have been limited and therefore trade restricted to the Oxford area? River trade was presumably on the Thames to and from London? Any information and references to records and publications covering the period would be much appreciated. With best wishes, Tony. ([email protected]) Bedfordshire, England.