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Royal Watermen |
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Watermen
Watermen have transported passengers across and along the river Thames for hundreds of years.
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Watermen's table of rates |
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Fixed rates were charged between the landing stages of the river, and published on notice boards. Look at this page from the charges in 1828, and see how much it would cost to travel from Southwark to Blackfriar bridge.
Some archives and libraries still hold examples of the beautiful certificates of apprenticeship, followed 5 to 7 years later with proof that the individuals have become freemen.
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Apprentice
This indenture witnesseth that Henry Andrew George Heather doth put himself apprentice to George Henry Heather, a freeman of the Company of Watermen and lightermen of the River Thames to learn his Art, and with him to dwell and serve upon the River of Thames from the day of this date hereof until the full end and term of seven years
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Indenture |
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Registration |
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Freeman
Know ye that at a court for the admission of Freemen of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames, this day holden at the hall of the said Company Joseph Heather was duly admitted, allowed and registered a Freeman of the said Company.
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Doggett's Coat and Badge Race
Thomas Doggett, an Irish actor, along with his friends may have encouraged watermen to race each other for a wager as they travelled the Thames. This became a formal race in 1715, for watermen who had completed their apprenticeships, with a gruelling course of over 4 miles from London Bridge to Chelsea.
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Doggett Coat and Badge |
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Watermen's School cash book, 1806 |
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Waterman's School, Putney
The Watermen's school, Putney, was founded in 1684 by Thomas Martyn, after he had been rescued from the river. 20 sons of local Putney watermen were admitted when the school opened in June 1718. Documents have survived including the cash book from 1806, showing the purchase of coats, waistcoats, breeches, caps and shoes.
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Many items of interest to family and local historians are available to view in the local studies room of libraries. This waterman's school report from 1883 list the names of the pupils and their aptitude for reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic.
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Watermen's School report, 1883 |
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