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Francis Owens Father: Francis Owens Married: 08 Oct 1845 in Chester, Cheshire, England In the 1851 Census - Francis and Ellen were living at 83 Vauxhall Road in Liverpool. They had the following children: Margaret Owen George Owen John (Jack) Owen [Editor's Note: Hanmer is near Oswestery, Wrexham and llangollen, and is
actually in the country of Flintshire, Wales. However, it is only a few
miles from Shropshire, thus a common error to list it in England and not in
Wales.] Saddlers started their apprenticeship (formal indentured training) at the age of about 14. they were tied to a Master Saddler and usually lived in his house on pitifully small wages for 7 years. they then usually became a journeyman (which just meant that they were paid the correct daily rate for a trained saddler). Jour in journeyman is the French word jour (day) this gave them enough money to save and get married. It was illegal to get married whilst still an apprentice, though it did happen occasionally. Usually they then became a Master Saddler and joined the Guild of Master Saddlers. At this point, their wages became too expensive usually so they had to set up their own business. If their Master was old, they might buy him out and continue his trade. But usually they bought into a business many miles away. In a country area like Hanmer, they would have concentrated on ordinary saddles for country people and harnesses for working horses, which would have been many in an agricultural area. there would be the occasional expensive fancy saddle (perhaps side saddle) for the wealthy ladies and gentlemen. In towns, there was much more specialization. Some were curriers who just made fancy and fashionable leather accessories Hamner present day (2003) is a small village, one general shop/post office, one Butchers shop, a primary school (up to age 11) a pub, called the Hanmer Arms, and a picturesque Lake. the original name of the village was Handmere. The Welsh word for lake is 'mere' and the lake is in the shape of a hand, thus the name of the village, Hanmer..
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