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What a Sawyer did?

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Teresa

Teresa Report 27 Oct 2003 21:56

Hi, Does anybody know what a sawyer was? My guess is that it has something to do with wood! Im probably completely wrong! If anyone knows or has any ideas, I'd love to hear them. Many thanks in advance. Regards Teresa.

Carol

Carol Report 27 Oct 2003 21:58

I think a sawyer used a saw

Kathleen

Kathleen Report 27 Oct 2003 22:01

Carpenter,I think

Maz (the Royal One) in the East End 9256

Maz (the Royal One) in the East End 9256 Report 27 Oct 2003 22:11

I would expect him to have been someone who sawed stuff (wood I suppose!) up at a saw mill. Maz. XX

Janet

Janet Report 27 Oct 2003 22:12

One of my relatives was shown as Sawyer/Wood Machinist. I imagine he worked at a saw mill, cutting trees into planks for instance. Jan.

Teresa

Teresa Report 27 Oct 2003 22:21

Hi, Thanks for your replies. I guess he was the equivalent of a modern day carpenter then! Regards, Teresa.

Stan

Stan Report 27 Oct 2003 22:25

I believe that, historically, two sawyers would work a large saw, with two handles, between them. The timber to be cut would be suspended over a saw pit, and cut at an angle, with one sawyer above and one below. The bottom sawyer would get all the sawdust in his eyes, so to be promoted top sawyer would be a real achievement. Stan

Julia

Julia Report 27 Oct 2003 23:09

Stan is perfectly correct - a sawyer is one of two men working a saw. I learnt this forma teacher at John Ray Primary School, Braintree, Essex in about 1968 - a Mrs Sawyer.

Christine

Christine Report 27 Oct 2003 23:57

My great grandfather was a Stone Sawyer and then became a Stone Mason - so I presume the Sawyer just relates to cutting. Chris

Bob

Bob Report 27 Oct 2003 23:59

If you go to Chatham's historic docks you can see one in action

Unknown

Unknown Report 28 Oct 2003 00:02

It was from the use of the Saw Pit that we get the expressions Top Dog and Underdog.