Hi Allan and Susan Allan, seems that your Abraham Ackers had the same background as my Rigbys - farmers, but investing in coal mines, and (like yours, Susan) one of mine also ran a pub at the same time. And we think we lead busy lives! So now we know what coal proprietors were, but I still don't know what a coal agent was (although they always started out as bookkeepers - but what was in their books?). Many thanks to all who've contributed. Ged

>So now we know what coal proprietors were, but I still don't know what a coal agent was (although they always started out as bookkeepers - but what was in their books?). Coal mainly! An agent is someone who acts on behalf of the owner of property/goods/commodoties to sell/purchase/negotiate deals etc (think estate agent). So, a coal agent was a middleman, presumably contracted by coal owners (proprietors) to sell their coal. He would not have been the man with a horse and cart going around the streets selling coal to customers, but would have been involved in wholesaling, and possibly other dealings for the colliery company not necessarily directly involving the black diamonds themselves. Peter Wood