About the Lightermen and Watermen

Watermen

​​​​A waterman is a person who works on the water, typically operating small boats or ferries to transport passengers and goods. Historically, watermen played a crucial role in cities with major rivers, such as London, where they navigated the Thames to ferry people and cargo across the river. They were skilled navigators and knew the waterways intimately.

In London, watermen were part of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, a guild that regulated their trade and ensured they were properly trained and licensed. The profession dates back to medieval times and was essential for the city's transportation and commerce before the advent of bridges and modern transportation.

Lightermen

A lighterman is a worker who operates a type of flat-bottomed barge called a "lighter," which is used to transport goods and cargo along rivers and canals. Historically, lightermen played a crucial role in the transportation of goods on the River Thames in London, moving cargo between ships and the docks. They were skilled navigators, adept at maneuvering their vessels through the busy and often treacherous waters of the Thames.

The profession of lighterman dates back to the medieval period, and it was once a highly regulated trade with its own guild, the Company of Watermen and Lightermen. This guild ensured that lightermen were properly trained and licensed to operate on the river.

Apprenticeships

The lighterman apprenticeship was a formal training program for individuals who wanted to become lightermen, skilled workers who operated flat-bottomed barges called lighters to transport goods along rivers and canals.

This apprenticeship was regulated by the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, a guild established to oversee the profession.

Here are some key aspects of the lighterman apprenticeship:
Duration: The apprenticeship typically lasted seven years, during which apprentices learned the skills and knowledge required to navigate and operate lighters on the River Thames.
Age Requirement: Apprentices had to be between the ages of 14 and 20 to begin their training.
Training: Apprentices were trained by experienced lightermen, known as masters, who taught them the practical skills needed for the job, including navigation, cargo handling, and safety procedures.
Licensing: Upon completing their apprenticeship, individuals could apply for a license to work as a lighterman. This license was granted by the Company of Watermen and Lightermen.
Records: The Company of Watermen and Lightermen maintained detailed records of apprenticeships, including apprentice bindings, affidavits, and other documents related to the training and licensing process.

The lighterman apprenticeship was an essential part of maintaining the high standards and professionalism of the trade, ensuring that lightermen were well-trained and capable of safely transporting goods on the river.

The Goggin Lightermen and Watermen

Many of the Goggin ancestors who lived in London were Watermen and Lightermen.

Charles James Goggin (1864-1927)

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Charles James Goggin (born 1864) was taken on as an apprentice Lighterman by his Grandfather, Charles Billingsley (b.1815), as was his brother Thomas Goggin (b.1866). Their father, Thomas Goggin (b.1839) was also a Lighterman but committed suicide by drowning at St Katherine's Dock, Whitechapel when Charles was only 9 years old.

Charles' apprenticeship started on 9th April 1878 (it was usual for apprentices to start at the age of 14) at Stratford, under the master, his grandfather, Charles Billingsley. Apprenticeships lasted for seven years. The apprentice certificate was cut into two parts, one for the master and one for the apprentice.  

On 9th June 1885, Charles James Goggin was admitted as a Freeman of "The Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames".

Copies of the certificates can be seen below.

Charles James was born on 15th March 1864 at 25 Scarborough Street, Whitechapel and baptised on 10th April 1864 at St Botolph, Aldgate. The family then moved to 3 Tenter Street South Whitechapel (1871). His father, Thomas, committed suicide on 22 March 1873 when Charles was only 9 years' old. Three years later his mother, Jane, remarried to Andrew Frieze, and in 1881 Charles can be found living with them at 8 New Square, St Botolph. Charles started as a lighterman apprentice on 9th April 1878, at the age of 14, at Stratford until 9th June 1885 under the Master Lighterman, Charles Billingsley, who was his grandfather. He spent his life working in and around the docks and Thames.

Charles married Eliza Fitz-Simmonds at St Philips' Church Stepney on 14th April 1884 when he was 20 and was living at 20 Myrdle Street,Stepney. Witnesses to marriage of Charles and Eliza were his Mother's third husband James Henry Bush and Charles' sister Ada Goggin. He set up home at 9 Sidney Street and his first son, named Charles James after him, was born in Nov 1884 when Charles was 20. Charles completed his lighterman apprenticeship on 9th June 1895 and became a Lighterman and Waterman. He moved to Bromehead Street, Mile End where he had his second son James John who only lived for two years. Ada,their first daughter was born on 23 January 1888 when they were living at 12 Fordham Street, Mile End. In Aug 1889 Charles was living at 21 Severne Street and stayed there until at least 1903. Here they then had John, Mary Ann Isabella, Richard, Archibald, James, Thomas and Jane. In 1911 Charles was living at 3 Ellen Place, St George, moving to 8 Dean Street by 1927. Charles died on 30th May 1927 at the age of 63 from a cerebral haemorrage. In total, Charles and Eliza had ten children. 

The March 2012 edition of the genealogy magazine, Who Do You Think You Are? has an article on Thames Watermen and features the lighterman apprenticeship certificate and details of Charles James Goggin. 

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Thomas Goggin

Thomas Goggin (1769-1883) was another lighterman, but with a tragic story. Thomas Goggin, born on 1st February 1839 in Southwark, London to Thomas Goggin (b 1912) and Catherine Collins. He worked as a waterman and lighterman on the River Thames at St Katharine Docks. He committed suicide by drowning at St.Katharine's Docks, London. Thomas had a total of eight children.

Birth and early years
Thomas was born on 1st February 1839 and baptised on 24 Feb 1839 at St George RC church. In 1841 Thomas was living at 2 Brewers Alley, St Olave. Thomas' mother, Catherine, died when he was aged 5. When Thomas turned 14 he became an apprentice lighterman under master Frederick Dawson at St Dunstans-East from 10th November 1853 until 11th December 1860 when he finished his apprenticeship.

Marriage and children
On 18th July 1859, at the age of 20, Thomas married Jane Billingsley at The Parish Church, South Hackney. Witnesses William Henry Billingsley (Jane's brother) and Jane Billingsley (her mother). Thomas and Jane's first son, Thomas Charles, was born in October 1859 (he died in 1861). Throughout this time, they were living at 1 Butlers Buildings, St Boltoph without Aldgate, with Thomas' parents-in-law (Charles and Jane Billingsley) according to Thomas Charles' birth certificate and the 1861 census. On 29 November 1862 their daughter Sarah Jane Goggin was born, who died in December 1864. Thomas was now living at 72 Christian Street, St George in the East, London. Thomas and Jane had set up their first home at 25 Scarborough Street, Whitechapel (very close to Tower Bridge), here they had their second son, Charles James, who was born in March 1864. Another son, again named Thomas, was born on 27th June 1866. The family then moved from 25 Scarborough Street to a house in the neighbouring road, 3 Tenter Street South where Ada was born on 13th April 1868. Richard was born there on 9th February 1870. Daughter Kate Elizabeth was born on 21 December 1871.

Lighterman
Thomas took part in the Legal Quay Regatta on Saturday 24th May 1862. Despite coming third in the second heat Thomas when on to gain his place in the final. In a good race he came second, losing by three lengths to miss out on the price of a purse of soverigns amoung the watermen of Legal Quay.

In July 1862, Thomas participated in the Scullers' race from Putney to Mortlake in old-fashioned boats. He came second after missing his stroke in the rough water and very nearly capsized. At the time he was of Ironsgate Stairs, which was a wharf by St Katharines, where grain was landed for the City of London and was the major base for the General Steam Navigation Company.

Death
On 22nd March 1873, at the age 34, Thomas committed suicide by throwing himself in the Thames at St Katherines Dock. A Coroner's inquest was held at the Crown Tavern Aldgate where his wife said that he had been in a very despondent state of mind for the three weeks before his death as he owed money for rent and likewise to other people. At three o'clock on the Saturday morning he got up and dressed and left the house without saying a word. He had often threatened to make away with himself as he was out of employment. After he left the house, his wife Jane found a letter lying on the table...

"Dear Wife, Good-bye, love, for ever. The knowlee of my debts I cannot bear. You know that I am your husband and may God forgive me for my rash act, as you know it will be better for you."

John Rowe, the dock gatekeeper, said that about half past three he heard a spash in the lock and found Thomas struggling in the water; he procured the drags but Thomas was dead before he could recover the body. The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst in a state of unsound mind. Thomas was of unsound mind due to debts according to the Coroner's report.

Shortly after Thomas' death, Rosetta Rebecca was born. Thomas had a total of eight children. 

Apprentice Lighterman binding certificate for Charles Goggin, dated 9th April 1878, Stratford:

Licence for Charles Goggin to operate as a Lighterman - to December 1982:

Admission as a freeman to the Company of Waterman and Lightermen:

Licence for Charles Goggin to operate as a Waterman: