I wonder if anybody out there might know what the employment status of a ferryman might be in the 1840s/1880s. My greatgreatGrandfather - Robert MUNRO - was a ferryman at Tongue in that period and in order to follow up some aspects of his life I'm trying to find out if he would be self-employed, in the service of one of the landowners or in County or State service. Any information gratefully received. A' the best to you and yours Jim Fowler Gateshead UK http://members.aol.com/chieflymurder

The ferry at Tongue was a rowing boat, si I doubt whether the ferryman was anything but self employed, although he probably had to pay rent for the use of any pier, landing stage, etc. Does anyone else have any information ? For those interested in Tongue, there is an informal Email Group of, at present about 20 people worldwide. For further details contact me on donaldmassey @compuserve.com NOT my Yahoo address. Donald Massey ----- Original Message ----- > I wonder if anybody out there might know what the employment status of a > ferryman might be in the 1840s/1880s. > > My greatgreatGrandfather - Robert MUNRO - was a ferryman at Tongue in that > period and in order to follow up some aspects of his life I'm trying to find > out if he would be self-employed, in the service of one of the landowners or > in County or State service. Any information gratefully received. > > > ______________________________