Nail makers (General)

by jmay , Monday, August 08, 2011, 17:37 (4860 days ago) @ slowhands

Slowhands, thank you once again for your rapid reply. I see that you don't think there were any schools in the area so bang goes that line of 'putting meat on the bones ' of my family ! My 3x gr grandfather Thomas Stevens was a nailmaker in the Abenhall area of the Forest, then took his family to continue in this work in Cirencester, where his sons also became nailmakers. I have obtained several books from the library which I was hoping would tell me more of this profession but , so far, they have just mentioned the trade with no further explanations. You mention that the men may have taken their work home, but, how did they make nails, or was this just a general term for many things. Do you know of any books I may find more information in ?
Many thanks