Tidesman

safficat · Post by **safficat** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:19 pm

Hello I am new to TS
If someone could help me with two questions please.
The eighth and last child to Alexander Hosack and Janet Coupar in 1761 Leith South shows fathers occupation as workman. ( at last i haven't been able to find any information at all on the couple) The witnesses are a School master William Lindsey and Jas Hosack, Tidesman
Q one What is/does this occupation entail?
Q two Could this be Alexanders second son James aged twelve?
and why workman instead of labourer for alex or was there a difference?

The question that has been haunting me is how did Alex's eldest son John b 1748
become a landed proprietor with property in Dumfries and a Sugar plantaion in Jamaica.. He married in 1807. The marriage entry states ' Mr John Hosack'
He signed his will and appointed his brother James and two parish ministers along with his wife to be tutors of his children. During the rest of the centuary his decendants became Magistrates/Historians, Members of thejamaican Assembly, Merchants and married into the Gentry
I had thought his father Alex had been 'well placed' but having found the above entry for the eighth child I'm at a loss
Could anyone offer any suggetions as to how this happened no matter how fanciful?
Ok so thats about half a dozen questions but its the meat of my family history that intrigues me the most so please forgive me.

Lorraine

Post by **paddyscar** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:49 pm

Hi Lorraine and welcome to [talkingscot]

I'll take the easy question: TIDESMAN
A customs officer who watched the unloading of ships to ascertain the duty due. from http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Vall ... /occs.html

I wasn't able to find a definition of workman, but would guess that he may have worked as a general labourer.

You've presented a lot of interesting facts which will perk up interest in our most talented sleuths!

In the meantime, you may find something about how John and his offspring rose to such heights by searching a time-limited free resource posted here http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11449

Also, you may be able to track some of their occupations after 1840 in the FreeCen database http://www.freecen.org.uk/cgi/search.pl

Again, welcome and come back for further answers which are being sought, probably as I'm typing this

Francs

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:58 pm

From http://www.scotsfamily.com/occupations.htm - Tidewaiter, Customhouse officer who secured payment of duty from merchant vessels coming in to port.

A google search shows they are the same thing.

Can't help with Alexander though. Are you positive it says workman as his occupation?

Regards,
Annette

safficat · Post by **safficat** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:41 pm

Hi
Thanks for the replies . I guess that couldnt be Alex's son . I originally thought it would be a boy watching the tide come in haha..and of course being paid to inform everyone.
It is possible that the tidesman could be a relative of Alex or not. That could possibly be an occupation recorded somewhere so could be another lead to pursue . Another witness on another child baptised was a Walter Mctagget listed as sower/sewer i think i remember seeing it had something to do with the stone mason business. I found Mctagett's marriage in 1732.
I'm trying to get a feel for the people that was associated with the family.
Ive searched Gale's online trial Lots come up for John's decendants
Was Leith a seaport could he have made his fortune by going to sea or was that not lucretive for a deckhand or sailor?
Many thanks
Lorraine

safficat · Post by **safficat** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:46 pm

Sorry dumb question Of course Leith was a seaport they wouldn't need a Tidesman otherwisw.
Yes Alex's occupation is listed very clearly. On the birth of his other children he is listed only as indweller in Leith

lorraine