Hi Ged I have an Ancestor in Parr, on his daughter's marriage cert. he is listed as a 'Coal Proprietor' With further research we found he was a Coal Mine OWNER! He owned the small mine of Redgate Colliery, Parr. He also was the publican near the coal mine which is still there, the Princess Royal. He seems to have had both busnesses running at once. The Coal mine didn't last long, we understand there was an accident and it closes shortly before his death. I always thought it was a coal merchant but 'Proprietor' means the owner of a business. This is according to www.askoxford.com Would love to know your thoughts on this. Best Regards Susan in Dubai> Does anybody know exactly what a 'coal agent' was/did around Wigan in the > 1840s and 50s. Sometimes it's even just 'agent' and in later years it > becomes 'coal proprietor'. I don't think it's a coal merchant, so what is > it? Could it be somebody who employs workers for the mines?> > Ged