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Anyone know anything about Wagon Painters, decorative or otherwise?

My great-grandfather, George Thornton Metcalfe, did the striping on wagon wheels for a living in the late 1800's/early 1900's (he died in 1918.) He lived in Bergen and Hudson Counties in New Jersey, so while he probably worked in New Jersey, it is possible that he worked for a New York company.

I know very little about the occupation so far; although I did find a book, The Complete Carriage and Wagon Painter by Fritz Schriber, published in 1895. Unfortunately, I just found it recently and haven't had a chance to read it yet. Does anyone know anything about this particular occupation, or have any ideas about additional research sources?

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Permalink Reply by Denise Mortorff on August 23, 2009 at 8:37pm

I think your best bet is looking at the book you mentioned. There was a guild in England called The Worshipful Company of Coahmakers and Coach Harness Makers. At some point they may have evolved or had a guild form from them, but that was in England, not New York. Let me know what you learn and maybe there will contain further leads to pursue. I will hek to see if there are any books about guilds in that period for you and get back to you. Denise Mortorff

Permalink Reply by Kathleen Fox Allen on August 23, 2009 at 9:08pm

Thank you, Denise!

My great-grandfather did come to the U.S. from England in 1865, but he was a child then, so probably not a member of the guild.:-) It does give me a line to tug, though.

I'll post updates to this discussion if I find anything of use in the book.

Thanks again,
Kathleen

Permalink Reply by William Nolin Deragon Jr. on November 9, 2010 at 12:33pm

Try the national/state park in Reading,PA area. I can't remember the name but there was a conestoga wagon factory in the park. It was a long time since I was there

wdracos

Permalink Reply by Kathleen Fox Allen on November 30, 2010 at 4:55pm

Thank you for your response, William!

I found CAA Online (Carriage Association of America) & they had a listing for:

Gruber Wagon Works
restored wagon factory, 24 vehicles
Park & Recreation Dept. of Berks County
2201 Tulpehocken Road
Wyomissing, PA 19610

Could that be it? (Even if it isn't, you've given me a good lead, because this is the first time any of my searches has turned up CAA & they might be a reference for me.)

Anyone know anything about Wagon Painters, decorative or otherwise?

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