Hi Paul, Many thanks for your answer, I was very pleased to get it. The possibility of an on-call maintenance man is worth my thinking about. Nicholas COURTNELL is about 52, could be 55, in 1851. I have always thought people had to work until much older than now in former times, but maybe not always. He has a 2nd, or even 3rd young family in 1851, so perhaps needed to supplement his income if he was already on a pension. I know there's little chance of finding the facts, but it is an interesting thought. Thankyou for taking the time to pass on the information. Although I had heard of the telegraph system of old it was super to see the contraption by the Museum. Best wishes, Sally -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.11 - Release Date: 08/07/2005