Having difficulty trying to figure out the "profession, occupation or trade" for the father in an 1880 Sullivan County Census record for James & Sarah M. Smith and their 7 children. They are part of a Scotch-Irish family in TN under heavy scrutiny right now. The census-taker's handwriting is pretty clear and dark, but that still doesn't seem to help! It reads "Cole Coluer." Any ideas? One suggestion of something to do with coal was ruled out by a local who tells us there was no coal mining in that area of eastern Tennessee. The closest coal mining would be a 2-hour drive under modern conditions. The Y-DNA of this man's Smith family matches 37- for 37-markers (67-marker results espected any day) with several males (and one in particular) from a well-researched Smith family which was part of 1718 Scotch-Irish migration from Ulster, settling first in Chester, New Hampshire and ultimately New Boston, NH. DNA has contributed the first hint of a southern connection, despite decades of work. Any thoughts you might have on the significance of this 37 for 37, Linda or others, and ow far back, as well as ideas as to James Smith's "profession" would be appreciated. I have a feeling I may be back with more questions. Tennessee research is a new field for me, but I know not so new to many of you. Ruth Ottawa

Could the word be collier? Besides meaning a coal miner & a boat that hauls coal, it can also mean a person who produces or sells charcoal, or a coal merchant. On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 11:49 AM, Ruth McLaughlin <[email protected]>wrote: > Having difficulty trying to figure out the "profession, occupation or > trade" for the father in an 1880 Sullivan County Census record for > James & Sarah M. Smith and their 7 children. They are part of a > Scotch-Irish family in TN under heavy scrutiny right now. The > census-taker's handwriting is pretty clear and dark, but that still > doesn't seem to help! It reads "Cole Coluer." Any ideas? One > suggestion of something to do with coal was ruled out by a local who > tells us there was no coal mining in that area of eastern Tennessee. > The closest coal mining would be a 2-hour drive under modern > conditions. > > The Y-DNA of this man's Smith family matches 37- for 37-markers > (67-marker results espected any day) with several males (and one in > particular) from a well-researched Smith family which was part of 1718 > Scotch-Irish migration from Ulster, settling first in Chester, New > Hampshire and ultimately New Boston, NH. DNA has contributed the first > hint of a southern connection, despite decades of work. > > Any thoughts you might have on the significance of this 37 for 37, > Linda or others, and ow far back, as well as ideas as to James Smith's > "profession" would be appreciated. I have a feeling I may be back with > more questions. Tennessee research is a new field for me, but I know > not so new to many of you. > > Ruth > Ottawa > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Your really useful reply came about as quick as my query. The last sentence opens up the field to a wider range of possibilities which is great. Thanks, Sharon!! R On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 1:02 PM, Sharon Fontenot <[email protected]> wrote: > Could the word be collier?  Besides meaning a coal miner & a boat that hauls > coal, it can also mean a person who produces or sells charcoal, or a coal > merchant. > > On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 11:49 AM, Ruth McLaughlin <[email protected]>wrote: > >> Having difficulty trying to figure out the "profession, occupation or >> trade" for the father in an 1880 Sullivan County Census record for >> James & Sarah M. Smith and their 7 children. They are part of a >> Scotch-Irish family in TN under heavy scrutiny right now. The >> census-taker's handwriting is pretty clear and dark, but that still >> doesn't seem to help! It reads "Cole Coluer." Any ideas? One >> suggestion of something to do with coal was ruled out by a local who >> tells us there was no coal mining in that area of eastern Tennessee. >> The closest coal mining would be a 2-hour drive under modern >> conditions. >> >> The Y-DNA of this man's Smith family matches 37- for 37-markers >> (67-marker results espected any day) with several males (and one in >> particular) from a well-researched Smith family which was part of 1718 >> Scotch-Irish migration from Ulster, settling first in Chester, New >> Hampshire and ultimately New Boston, NH. DNA has contributed the first >> hint of a southern connection, despite decades of work. >> >> Any thoughts you might have on the significance of this 37 for 37, >> Linda or others, and ow far back, as well as ideas as to James Smith's >> "profession" would be appreciated. I have a feeling I may be back with >> more questions. Tennessee research is a new field for me, but I know >> not so new to many of you. >> >> Ruth >> Ottawa >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

The iron furnace and forge business up until around 1850 used charcoal to melt the iron ore. A charcoal burner or collier was a man who made charcoal from wood. Small furnaces and forges used charcoal as fuel longer than the big furnaces which switched to coal. Those workers were also referred to as "coalers" in business records. After the general use of coal as fuel the word "collier" became synonymous with coal miners. A perfectly good word so why waste it? Ann ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ruth McLaughlin" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 11:49 AM Subject: [S-I] a "profession" of a Scotch-Irish inhabitant of Sullivan Co.,Tennessee Having difficulty trying to figure out the "profession, occupation or trade" for the father in an 1880 Sullivan County Census record for James & Sarah M. Smith and their 7 children. They are part of a Scotch-Irish family in TN under heavy scrutiny right now. The census-taker's handwriting is pretty clear and dark, but that still doesn't seem to help! It reads "Cole Coluer." Any ideas? One suggestion of something to do with coal was ruled out by a local who tells us there was no coal mining in that area of eastern Tennessee. The closest coal mining would be a 2-hour drive under modern conditions. The Y-DNA of this man's Smith family matches 37- for 37-markers (67-marker results espected any day) with several males (and one in particular) from a well-researched Smith family which was part of 1718 Scotch-Irish migration from Ulster, settling first in Chester, New Hampshire and ultimately New Boston, NH. DNA has contributed the first hint of a southern connection, despite decades of work. Any thoughts you might have on the significance of this 37 for 37, Linda or others, and ow far back, as well as ideas as to James Smith's "profession" would be appreciated. I have a feeling I may be back with more questions. Tennessee research is a new field for me, but I know not so new to many of you. Ruth Ottawa ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4925 (20100308) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4925 (20100308) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com

The replies from all of you, you included Ann, fit together so beautifully giving a glimpse into TN with which a northern researcher wouldn't be familiar. Why I am always telling researchers to subscribe to this List!! Thanks Ann Ruth Ottawa On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 1:53 PM, Ann Heinz <[email protected]> wrote: > >    The iron furnace and forge business up until around 1850 used charcoal > to melt the iron ore. A charcoal burner or collier was a man who made > charcoal from wood. Small furnaces and forges used charcoal as fuel longer > than the big furnaces which switched to coal. > Those workers were also referred to as "coalers" in business records. >    After the general use of coal as fuel the word "collier" became > synonymous with coal miners. A perfectly good word so why waste it? > Ann > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ruth McLaughlin" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 11:49 AM > Subject: [S-I] a "profession" of a Scotch-Irish inhabitant of Sullivan > Co.,Tennessee > > > Having difficulty trying to figure out the "profession, occupation or > trade" for the father in an 1880 Sullivan County Census record for > James & Sarah M. Smith and their 7 children. They are part of a > Scotch-Irish family in TN under heavy scrutiny right now. The > census-taker's handwriting is pretty clear and dark, but that still > doesn't seem to help! It reads "Cole Coluer." Any ideas? One > suggestion of something to do with coal was ruled out by a local who > tells us there was no coal mining in that area of eastern Tennessee. > The closest coal mining would be a 2-hour drive under modern > conditions. > > The Y-DNA of this man's Smith family matches 37- for 37-markers > (67-marker results espected any day) with several males (and one in > particular) from a well-researched Smith family which was part of 1718 > Scotch-Irish migration from Ulster, settling first in Chester, New > Hampshire and ultimately New Boston, NH. DNA has contributed the first > hint of a southern connection, despite decades of work. > > Any thoughts you might have on the significance of this 37 for 37, > Linda or others, and ow far back, as well as ideas as to James Smith's > "profession" would be appreciated. I have a feeling I may be back with > more questions. Tennessee research is a new field for me, but I know > not so new to many of you. > > Ruth > Ottawa > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature > database 4925 (20100308) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. > > http://www.eset.com > > > > > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4925 (20100308) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. > > http://www.eset.com > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi Ruth In 1877 the Bristol Coal & Iron Railroad began building its railroad which ran from Bristol, Sullivan County, Tennessee to Big Stone. Shortly thereafter, the railroad was transferred to South Atlantic & Ohio Railroad which ran to the coal fields at Estillville, Scott County, Virginia. When the family of James Smith was enumerated in the 1880 U.S. census of Sullivan County, Tennessee he had only been employed with that job for six months, and at age 46 this appears to have been a new occupation for him. He may have been involved in the unloading or transporting of the coal upon its arrival at Bristol from the coal fields of Virginia. Sullivan County, Tennessee is situated on the border of Virginia. Lee Ramsey -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ruth McLaughlin Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 12:49 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [S-I] a "profession" of a Scotch-Irish inhabitant of Sullivan Co., Tennessee Having difficulty trying to figure out the "profession, occupation or trade" for the father in an 1880 Sullivan County Census record for James & Sarah M. Smith and their 7 children. They are part of a Scotch-Irish family in TN under heavy scrutiny right now. The census-taker's handwriting is pretty clear and dark, but that still doesn't seem to help! It reads "Cole Coluer." Any ideas? One suggestion of something to do with coal was ruled out by a local who tells us there was no coal mining in that area of eastern Tennessee. The closest coal mining would be a 2-hour drive under modern conditions. The Y-DNA of this man's Smith family matches 37- for 37-markers (67-marker results espected any day) with several males (and one in particular) from a well-researched Smith family which was part of 1718 Scotch-Irish migration from Ulster, settling first in Chester, New Hampshire and ultimately New Boston, NH. DNA has contributed the first hint of a southern connection, despite decades of work. Any thoughts you might have on the significance of this 37 for 37, Linda or others, and ow far back, as well as ideas as to James Smith's "profession" would be appreciated. I have a feeling I may be back with more questions. Tennessee research is a new field for me, but I know not so new to many of you. Ruth Ottawa ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

In a flood of email this afternoon, I overlooked your email until now, Lee. Better late than never!! It is a really useful and *very specific* addition to the other replies. Adds info no one else mentioned. Actually all the relpies have been like that. Why this List is such a great one!! Since Bristol is the relevant area for James Smith and your revelation that there was even a Bristol Coal & Iron Railroad being built in the same era as the James Smith record I was trying to decipher, is pretty useful, to put it mildly. It sure is a contrast being told that coal wasn't relevant to Bristol!! I assume your reference to 6 months in the job is because of that crossed out 6 in the column titled "No. of months the person was unemployed in the Census year"—I had not known fully how to interpret that. Your interpretation seems a good one! Now, if only success can come in nailing who the grandfather of this James Smith is it will be terrific. His father, John C. Smith b. 1812 Carter County, who resided and died in Sullivan County, is already clear. James was John C.'s eldest son and so it won't be a surprise if the grandfather might turn out to be an earlier James. Getting back one, or preferably 2, generations gives hope of discovering the link with the Scotch-Irish family in New England to which DNA says these TN Smiths are "closely related.* Thanks for our help, Lee!! Ruth Ottawa On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 2:03 PM, Lee K. Ramsey <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Ruth > > In 1877 the Bristol Coal & Iron Railroad began building its railroad which > ran from Bristol, Sullivan County, Tennessee to Big Stone. Shortly > thereafter, the railroad was transferred to South Atlantic & Ohio Railroad > which ran to the coal fields at Estillville, Scott County, Virginia.  When > the family of James Smith was enumerated in the 1880 U.S. census of Sullivan > County, Tennessee he had only been employed with that job for six months, > and at age 46 this appears to have been a new occupation for him.  He may > have been involved in the unloading or transporting of the coal upon its > arrival at Bristol from the coal fields of Virginia.  Sullivan County, > Tennessee is situated on the border of Virginia. > > Lee Ramsey > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ruth McLaughlin > Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 12:49 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [S-I] a "profession" of a Scotch-Irish inhabitant of Sullivan Co., > Tennessee > > Having difficulty trying to figure out the "profession, occupation or > trade" for the father in an 1880 Sullivan County Census record for > James & Sarah M. Smith and their 7 children. They are part of a > Scotch-Irish family in TN under heavy scrutiny right now. The > census-taker's handwriting is pretty clear and dark, but that still > doesn't seem to help! It reads "Cole Coluer." Any ideas?......