Meaning
A craftsman who made boots and shoes by hand from leather.
Description
Bootmakers cut, shaped and stitched leather uppers and soles to produce footwear to order or for sale. The trade was divided between those who made bespoke footwear for wealthy customers and those who produced cheaper ready-made goods. Cordwainers worked with new leather while cobblers traditionally repaired existing footwear, though the distinction was often blurred in practice. The introduction of machinery in the late 19th century transformed bootmaking from a cottage industry into a factory trade.
Also Known As
Cordwainer, Shoemaker, Cobbler
Commonly Found In
- Census Returns
- Trade Directories
- Apprenticeship Records
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