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Benjamin Gregory, Boat builder

G

ginny123

Brummie babby
In my search for the origins of my ggg grandfather I have come across a reference to a Benjamin Gregory of Bridgnorth, residing in Birmingham in 1826. He was a boat builder by trade. He is next heard of in a reference to a boat built in Stratford in 1830 and then in Tewkesbury in December 1830 when he married. I can find no boat builders with the name Gregory in the Birmingham trade directories. I would love to be able to link the Bridgnorth Benjamin to the one in Tewkesbury (and Stratford) who is definitely my ggg grandfather. Does anyone know of any sources which I can use to research boat building in Birmingham in the 1820s. Bridgnorth Benjamin's father was a shoemaker and so he must have been apprenticed to some-one, but where? I assume that he would have been involved with the building of canal barges. Any suggestions gratefully received. Unfortunately I do not live close enough to Birmingham to visit.
 
It's funny that the description was 'boat building'...well not funny but maybe accurate. I read on here, years ago now in 'the canals of birmingham' thread, that the canal watercraft were always called boats and your post seems to confirm the same. I think Narrow Boats was the official designation. If you have not looked at the affore mentioned thread, then you might want to see it by entering it in search. Narrow boats are still being made around the country. Steel is used now rather than the wood of long ago and pleasure craft rather than working boats. Perhaps, though, some original work yards are still being used, maybe under the same name for some. A google of 'canal boat builders' will probably yield material but perhaps you have done this already.
 
ginny123 said:
In my search for the origins of my ggg grandfather I have come across a reference to a Benjamin Gregory of Bridgnorth, residing in Birmingham in 1826. He was a boat builder by trade. He is next heard of in a reference to a boat built in Stratford in 1830 and then in Tewkesbury in December 1830 when he married. I can find no boat builders with the name Gregory in the Birmingham trade directories. I would love to be able to link the Bridgnorth Benjamin to the one in Tewkesbury (and Stratford) who is definitely my ggg grandfather. Does anyone know of any sources which I can use to research boat building in Birmingham in the 1820s. Bridgnorth Benjamin's father was a shoemaker and so he must have been apprenticed to some-one, but where? I assume that he would have been involved with the building of canal barges. Any suggestions gratefully received. Unfortunately I do not live close enough to Birmingham to visit.
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Boat building did take place in Birmingham. There was boatyard on Tyburn road, Erdington. This I think was Moreton and Claytons premises. Also look in to boat building at Saltley dock. Hope this helps.
 
There were a small number of Gregory,s in the directory for Birmingham none as boat builders in the 1828 directory there is a Gregory as Carpenter Jioner
Gregory Zedrick Aston St,

in the 1823 directory he is listed as a
Brick maker and builder, Holt ST,



ginny123 said:
In my search for the origins of my ggg grandfather I have come across a reference to a Benjamin Gregory of Bridgnorth, residing in Birmingham in 1826. He was a boat builder by trade. He is next heard of in a reference to a boat built in Stratford in 1830 and then in Tewkesbury in December 1830 when he married. I can find no boat builders with the name Gregory in the Birmingham trade directories. I would love to be able to link the Bridgnorth Benjamin to the one in Tewkesbury (and Stratford) who is definitely my ggg grandfather. Does anyone know of any sources which I can use to research boat building in Birmingham in the 1820s. Bridgnorth Benjamin's father was a shoemaker and so he must have been apprenticed to some-one, but where? I assume that he would have been involved with the building of canal barges. Any suggestions gratefully received. Unfortunately I do not live close enough to Birmingham to visit.
Click to expand...
 
You could try searching newspapers of the time. Not only for advertisements of Boat Builders but also for the purchase/sale/lease of land and moorings.
 
Boat building certainly did take place in Brum, I have an ancestor, Samuel Banford, who is listed on the '81 census as Boat Builder. He lived in Stewart St.
 
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