Genealogy Forum UK

Morning all,
One of my rellies occupations on the 1851 census is a brick server, anybody have idea what this might be? thinking it might be a hod carrier of some description. I have tried to google it but no results.

Cheers
Mike

I am sure that would be a Brick Setter. The guy who stacks the Kiln before firing.

Could also be the bloke who carries them on the long pole for the bricklayers working on scafolding/ladders.

Being a computer person I thought, "is he a small computer server?" and then dismissed that a a possibility

Apparently "server" is an obsolete term for artisans assistant, so that might be something to consider.

If you could upload the document, or at least the occupation image, we might be able to see what if it says "server" or "setter" or something else.

It is quite clear on the image.

1851. Back Horse Yard, Birmingham St, Dudley.
John Newell. 65. labourer. born: East Indies.
Ann Newell. 36. West Bromwich.
Henry Newell. 17. Forge labourer. Dudley.
John Newell. 9. Brick server for workmen. Dudley.
Mary Melvina Newell. 4. Dudley.

I think it just means he gets the bricks for those who need them. I imagine he would be running around with a wheelbarrow and collecting them from a central pile and delivering them to wherever the bricklayer is.

MarkCDodd wrote:I think it just means he gets the bricks for those who need them. I imagine he would be running around with a wheelbarrow and collecting them from a central pile and delivering them to wherever the bricklayer is.

This seems highly likely given his age!

Afternoon guys,

Thanks for the replies, I think your right in saying that he was a bricklayers assistant and this involved carting the bricks around to where ever they needed them. Such a hard physical job for a boy of his age, thankfully times have changed.
I rather like the idea of an artisans assistant, it sounds very romantic. Somehow though I don't think he was one, but you never know.

Cheers and have a good day
Michael

He would have been better off carting bricks than working in a coal mine.

Jimmy wrote:He would have been better off carting bricks than working in a coal mine.

I think your right Jimmy, he would have had a much better life. However, saying that he did become a coalminer later in life if my memory serves me right

Michael