1851 census: what would a 'labourer at a gas station' have done?

[wulliam]

Hi,

An ancestor of mine was a 'labourer at a gas station' on the 1851 census. He lived on the outskirts of Bath, Somerset.
By the time of the 1861 census he was a 'drysalter'...might there be a connection between the two occupations?

Has anyone any idea what a 'gas station' was, or what working there would have involved? Likewise for 'drysalter'.

Many thanks for taking the time to read.

[clematised]

http://rmhh.co.uk/occup/

Dry Salter 1) Dealt in dried meat, sauces, pickles 2) Dealt in dyes for fabrics etc.

I think Gas means from Manufactured Gas not Gas as in Petrol.

Edna

[clematised]

Look up Gas in the same link

Edna

[wulliam]

Thanks for the quick reply Edna - very helpful.
I'm sure there'll be another question before long!

[Janet]

There were coal mines in the area and gas stations were associated with coalmines. Also Bath was a Spa Town and the engineering involved in the naturally heated water might have de,manded the use of a gas station.

Janet

[keldon]

The local Bath newspaper reports in 1847 that during excavations for the installation of a new tank at the Bath Gas Station fossils and a skeleton were found. Perhaps this is the type of work he was involved in.

[wulliam]

Sorry I haven't checked this thread for a few days - thanks to Janet and Phil for your thoughts!