Thomas HAWKINS - Coal Mining Occupations (General)

by isherwop, Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 11:45 (5691 days ago)

I have only a few loose ends to tie up befor I complete the research into the family of Thomas HAWKINS and his wife Mary ROBERTS married 1822 and living most of their lives at Lane End neat Coleford. Thomas worked in the coal mining all his life and had a variety of occupations including coal miner, collier, coal merchant, collier master and finally in 1861 a coal proprietor.

Can anyone tell me what a collier master was? Also did a coal proprietor simply trade in coal or does this term imply an interest in a mine or perhaps there is some ambiguity.

Any help much appreciated