Meaning
A person who rode one of the horses drawing a carriage to guide the team.
Description
Postilions rode the nearside horse of a pair or one of the lead horses of a larger team drawing a coach or carriage, guiding the horses rather than driving from a box. The role was common when travelling through difficult terrain or when a coachman alone could not manage a large team. Postilions were employed at posting inns where fresh horses were provided for long-distance travellers. They were typically young men or boys. The trade declined with the coming of the railways which ended the long-distance coaching era.
Also Known As
Post Boy, Rider, Horse Rider
Commonly Found In
- Census Returns
- Trade Directories
- Inn Records
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