Hello Listers, When I found that one of my ggfathers, his brothers and sons were wagonmakers,and they married daughters of coopers, farriers and saddle-makers of Paarl, I decided to search for some information about this industry. I received some very interesting history from various sources, too much to send in one message. However I also found names of artisans in the wagonmaking industry. If any of your names appear below I will be happy to do a lookup and provide more information about the person if possible. Please send your request directly to me (OFF LIST) and allow a couple of days for a reply as I have a day job. <Paarl’s wagon trade had its origin in a number of one-man workshops where the old craftsmen specialised in repairs. Then they began making wheels and harness, woodwork and axles. Droeriem was the quarter of Paarl where every backyard was devoted to some form of wagon-building. Some of the interesting names of especially the carts were: The Boston; Victoria; Jubilee; Java Spider; Doctor's Gig; Doctor's Comfort; Grasshopper; Beauforter; Vrystater; Ceres Buggy; Wellingtoner; Pickstone’s Favourite; Voortrekker; Wanderer. The sanitary wagons were known as night wagons. There were also hearses and other vehicles used to provide public services. Wages of the wagonmaking undustry: 1885 - 7/6 per day , 1909 - 6/- to 10/- per day. By 1914 the decline of the wagonmaking industry was evident. The most important reason for this was the appearance of motor cars, trucks and tractors. During the 1920’s the wagon factories started closing, one by one. Paarl’s last wagonmaker was Harry Solomon who operated his business from 27 Main Street, from the 1940’s until 1974.> Wagonmakers, blacksmiths, farriers, wheelwrights, carpenters, painters, saddle-makers, harness-makers, coopers, turners, tanners, upholsterers. Some of the NAMES OF ARTISANS I found mentioned include: John du Plessis, P. du Plessis,D.J. du Plessis Moerats Kiampies J.C. Wahl; C. Wahl; C.J. Wahl; D.H. Wahl; Constant Wahl, C. sn; A.S. Brink; L. Brink , Jan Andreas PetrusBrink G.C. van Ellewee, G.C. Bonthuys; M.C.V. Thom; Michiel Thom; H.J. Havenga, A.J. Bester; Jan Phillips, B. Phillips; J.F. Phillips; Wheeler Zuidmeer J.H. Bernardi, C.C. Bernhardi Pieter B. de Ville; J.D. de Ville; J.D. de Ville, jr; P.B de Ville en Kie; P.B. de Ville, sr; P.B. de Ville, J.D. sn; J.H. de Villiers, Jan Jacobus de Villiers, S.W.A. de Villiers; A.T. de Viliers; O.T. de Villiers; I.J. de Villiers, O.T. sn; M. Smuts du Toit Moses Lurie Michael Krawitz Kaplan Roup J. Spangenberg; Johannes Petrus van Blerk Frans van Nierop; Johan Coenraad Waldpot; Gillian Johannes Wolfaart H.A.J. Basson; Jacob de Bot; Sybrand Johannes van der Spuy Jan Jacobus Anthon; C.J.F. Delvecchio Francis Hepburn; Joseph Verster; S.J. Verster B.G. Reyneke; B.J. Solomon; Hermanus Jacobus van der Spuy. Robert C. Allsop G.C. Keet J.F.B. Page; J. Rode; J. Blignault; Geo. Church; M H J Uys Wm. Gebhard; J. Genade; S.P. Jordaan; P.A. le Roux Melt Louw, T. Louw; G.J. Malherbe; G.W. v.d. L. Malherbe; J. Malan; A.J. Marais, J. Marais; F. Perold; J.P. Retief; F.J.P. Retief David Dennit Small; Jacobus Hendrik Theunissen Jacob Coenraad Johannes van Ellewee; H.A.W. van Niekerk; J.O. van Niekerk Jan Daniel Wannenburg B.B. Wilson; J. Woudberg W.L. Arnold; Jan Frederik Baartman, jr. Pieter Casper Bartman Paul F. de Kock P.A.J. de Roubaix; Gabriel Domingo, K. Domingo, Baderdien Domingo, Kiamodien Domingo Bazier Latief ,Abdol Latief J. Francke; J.E. Minnaar; P.C. Page I.A. Perold; A.J. Roome; R.J. Smith. C.G.E. Starke Johannes Jeremias Blignaut Henry Samuel Dickson Everhardus Jacobus Frick J Hendrik Durr P. de Kock M.F. Gibbons; Jan Boyes Jan Derksen Weintroub My apologies if some names were repeated Regards, Elva