Nerve 16 - Liverpool Horse Power

The Carters and Working Horses of Liverpool

Liverpool Horse Power

From the commissioning of the first line of docks in 1710 right up to the early 1960s the Liverpool horse was a common sight, and the prosperity of the port depended largely on their strength and willingness.

Liverpool had the reputation of possessing the finest carthorses in the country. This was due to the city being surrounded by the fertile farming areas of Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Shropshire, all ideal places for nurturing huge strong horses.

With the great boom in trade in the 1800s men and horses from the countryside poured into Liverpool seeking work and this influx gave work to other businesses. The city horses were stabled far from green fields, so huge amounts of grain and hay were imported from the country areas as well as from overseas. The vast amount of manure produced was then taken back to the country to assist in growing the feed for the city horses. A whole section of the community became entirely dependent on the city horse as the ancillary trades of Farriers, Blacksmiths, Harness makers and Wagon builders mushroomed.

Feed for the day for horses was usually between 14-20 lbs of a mixture of oats, chopped beans with a little of bran, maize or linseed. This mixture called chop or provender was delivered by the forage merchants in huge sacks or bought in bulk and mixed by stable staff.

The iron horse shoes of these Liverpool carthorses weighed 2½ lbs each shoe; the granite setts of the road they walked on made many horses ‘leg weary’ and due to the heavy work they tended to slide their feet rather than lift them. This meant new shoes were needed every 3 – 6 weeks.

If a horse was sick or needed shoeing the Carters would work together and use a spare horse. Each horse had its own number and name, such as Barn Owl, Daredevil, Inkspot and Bluebottle to name only a few. Horses were used in the fire brigade and even for funerals, pulling the Hearse. Pony and traps would make the postal and milk deliveries, while bakeries and factories would have their own teams, or small independent Carters with their own horse. Coal merchants bagged their own coal into sacks then used the massive horse and cart to make their deliveries.

Before the Second World War horses were stabled along docks from Garston in the south to Bootle in the north. Every neighbourhood had its own stable, with many Carters having their own horse. Stables could be as large as the three storey buildings of Liverpool Cartage Co. in Grafton Street, with lorries on ground floor, horses on first floor and hay and provender on top floor. One of the smallest stables could be a single stall shed behind a terraced house, where the horse was taken through the front door, down the passage and out of the back door to the stable.

The working week lasted Monday to Saturday lunchtime, a total of 66 hrs a week. Horses had to rest and be cared for on a Sunday, so a rota was fixed for this in all stables. To work Sunday was a bonus, and meant five shillings extra. The rule though was ‘married men only’.

Liverpool’s Carters and their horses were famous for moving heavier loads than was common elsewhere, yet the men also had a good reputation for the treatment of their animals.

Liverpool Retired Carter’s Association: Ethel Wooding (Treasurer), Harry Wooding, Norman Taylor, Joe Magee, Billy Murphy, Tucker Wingberg, Bobby Sargeant, Billy Fitzpatrick, Jimmy Doran, Joe Hartley (Chairman).

One of the skills of the Carters was to watch they didn’t get their cart too close to the back of the one in front, especially if the load was of sugar or chick peas, otherwise the lead horse would have his teeth into a bag at the first chance.

In the streets of Liverpool during this period the carts were constantly moving in all directions with their deliveries. There was a constant hub of noise, clipping of hooves, neighing horses and clanging from the steel rims of the wheels on the carts. At their peak it is estimated that 20,000 horses worked on the streets, more than in any other city outside of London. During the Second World War the Liverpool Carters and their horses maintained the vital link between the docks and the city, keeping food and raw materials moving during, and after, the devastation of bombing.

Many people only remember the huge horses, decorated with their fine brasses, ribbons and flowers when they walked in the Mayor’s May Day parade. But the horse was a vital part of our city’s heritage and was instrumental in placing Liverpool second most prominent port next to London.

It could be said that Liverpool was built on the back of horses and that their important role in the city’s history should be properly celebrated. For the past 10 years, the Liverpool Retired Carter’s Association have campaigned for this, and as a result, a life size bronze statue of a working horse was unveiled at the Albert Dock, Liverpool on 1 May 2010; this date is significant, as it was the traditional date for the May Day Horse parade.

The eight foot sculpture, called ‘Waiting’ is mounted on a plinth, accompanied by information on the history of the working horse; a fitting monument to honour the city’s hard working dock horses and Carters that worked in our city for 250 years.

In memory of my grandfather: Arthur Adams 1858-1928. Carter.

Notes taken from William Brown Library: The Cart Horse on the Quay By Edward N Clark (1989), A Countryside Publication.
Also: www.scottiepress.org
Image from: Sharon Brown of National Museums Liverpool

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Comments:

Comment left by lesley on 20th October, 2010 at 21:11
hi i am looking for some information about a william treble who was a carter in the 30s or 40s i know he was killed saving a childs life i am now at a dead end all the information i can find is about the scotland road carters i feel so proud ov them for all there dedication in all weathers please can u help yours lesley

Comment left by Billy Fitzpatrick on 1st November, 2010 at 16:59
Looking Forward to May 1st m2011

Comment left by Anne (Nee Jackson) on 31st May, 2011 at 21:43
All my dad's family were carters, The Jackson family. Living in Leadon St, the stables were down the road. They were Frank, Jimmy, Tommy (and wives) and sons Jimmy Frank (my dad) and their cousins Arthur and Tommy. Does anyone have any further information or could direct me where to go to get more information please? I would love to have more information about a dearly loved family and I was raised on "stable" stories of favourate horses called Brother and Sister. Thankyou.

Comment left by Alan Brassey on 13th October, 2011 at 17:18
My Grandmother 'Ma Cater' had a shop on Smith Street, Kirkdale upto 1955 and the carters from the haulage company in Whittle Street would buy their cigarettes, etc before or after work. I on many occasions would accompany the carters to the docks and warehouses on Saturdays or when on school holidays.

Comment left by Albert Martin on 11th November, 2011 at 16:18
I was picked up by George Summner the runner for The Liverpool Cartage Co and taken yo husskisson dock to load trailers for the Scammel Horses. After 2 days of this George asked me if I would take a team of horses in Grafton St.This I did and finished up with "Jackie and Prince"a team of dapple grey shires.The horse keeper was Sammy Robinson and I think I am right in saying that Dick Benson was the only coloured carter in L,pool,I once commented on the fact that his horse named "Velvet"had a nice shine to its coat and he said"All Black things shine son".Some times when we were working the north end docks the counter off would say"Sett up Carter and we would leave the waggon and load at the dock and take the horses home,in a case like that we would stable the horses at Cotton St. I worked for G,D,&Son,Thomas Harrison &son,William Harper &son.Horse Keepers;Billy Turner(waleoil)Harpers,Bill Parker Harrisons,Sammy Robinson Lpool Cartage.Sammy Marsh GD&S Runners;John Spencer,Freddie Moss,George Summner.

Comment left by Rita Curtis (nee Robson) on 14th November, 2011 at 17:09
I am researching my family tree and found that my Great Grandfather, George Robson, was a Carter and team owner around 1901.

Comment left by donna Lee on 8th December, 2011 at 15:59
Hi My Grandad and his father where Carters. Joseph Lee from Scotland Rd the Bootle...My Nans family Cassidy where also Carters and I think her relation was a Bainbridge

Comment left by mattymays on 22nd December, 2011 at 3:11
hi www.catalystmedia.org.uk-ers merry xmas to all of you - matt-mays

Comment left by j gerrard on 22nd January, 2012 at 10:44
hi my father was a carter when he come back from ww1 and his brother,they were well known on the dock road like all dockers they looked after each other.thats when men were men

Comment left by Jay Jones on 27th February, 2012 at 19:50
My great Grandfather,Tom Jones, was a carter who lived in Foley Street,Kirkdale.I'm not too sure of the date(s),sometime in the mid 1800s I think.

Comment left by Michael Stratton on 29th February, 2012 at 16:15
Hello, My Mam's side of thefamily were Carters then Motor Wagon Drivers. The family name is Meredith.My G/Grandad James Highton Meredith,had two teams of horses,think they were stabled in Back Great Mersey Street.Which I think were co-owned with the Barnes Family. James H.Meredith died in 1926,his son James Meredith lived in Luther Street,Everton and went on to work at Goddards in Litherland as a driver. Any help with finding info on more info on this Carter would be appriated,Thanks

Comment left by Billy Fitzpatrick on 26th March, 2012 at 9:45
Are we so Quickly Forgotten? We worked so hard With Jim Doran (Deceased).To have a Monument Installed to To the Carters and Horses.Let not that Memory Fade...Billy

Comment left by Peter Bedson on 30th March, 2012 at 13:57
In reference to Albert Martin although my name is BeDson my mum was a BeNson and Dick was her grandfather and was supposedly Liverpool's only black carter. There used to be a large picture of him with his horse velvet in the old Liverpool Life Museum but not sure what happened to this when the old museum closed and the new one opened. Shame as it was a good exhibition even if i am a bit biased

Comment left by Sharon Brown on 23rd April, 2012 at 14:00
Hello Peter - there is a photo of Dick Benson in the new Museum of Liverpool plus lots of other information and images of Liverpool Carters. There is an event celebrating May Parades at the Museum of Liverpool on 1st May 2012, between 11am and 3pm - see www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk for more details. Thanks, Sharon Brown, Curator, Museum of Liverpool and Secretary, Liverpool Carters Working Horse Monument Fund

Comment left by Dorothy Taylor on 17th June, 2012 at 12:45
My grandfather was John Taylor ,he was a carter ,my Nan Annie Taylor nee Draper,they lived in 2 Sackville St Liverpool,they had stables i the back yard, Dorothy.

Comment left by Joan Rylands on 23rd June, 2012 at 0:48
My Grandad was Tommy Eden who was a carter and lived in Luther St for a time. his wife was Janet .I would love to know which regiment some of the carters joined in WW1 .I left a comment in the museum at the start of this year saying how disapointing the carters exibition was .I wish I had known there was another one in May .

Comment left by Vera on 4th July, 2012 at 0:41
According to the 1901 census my Great Grandmother Elizabeth Bigley was a Team owner and lived at 20 Whittle Street, Kirkdale and the stables were behind somewhere, her sons Charles & Henry also worked in the business as did her husband Richard (then deceased) does anyone remember these stables? ant info would be appreciated. Thank you

Comment left by I Smith on 13th August, 2012 at 12:51
I saw the wonderful statue at the Docks this week. My Grandfather, William Edward Smith, worked for George Davis until the early 1960's but once he didn't have his horses and moved to the wagons it was never the same for him. He won the 1933 May Day certificate. I have the framed certificate but sadly no photograph.

Comment left by Judy boyt on 15th August, 2012 at 1:20
It was my great pleasure to have created and sculpted the Liverpool Working Horse Monument. And to have met the Carters who dedicated 10 years to making this project happen. It is in memory of all of those who worked in the docks _ they will never be forgotten.

Comment left by PAUL DAVIES on 17th September, 2012 at 23:02
My dad is 90 his name is Henry Davies from Cornwall St,Everton, his dad was also Henry and from a family of carters . My dad briefly was carting just before ww2. Does anyone remember his dad or family.

Comment left by helen carr on 7th October, 2012 at 18:27
I am trying to do some research on horses that were requisioned in world war one in my area on the Wirral. does anyone know if any of the horses were taken from Liverpool and any stories about them. Any thing at all would be very welcome.

Comment left by gary wooding on 22nd April, 2014 at 21:33
my children and grand children have seen the amazing horse and the pictures in the museum -but still waiting to meet their grandad ?

Comment left by ron harrison on 1st May, 2014 at 20:00
my dad was a carter all his life he worked for jarvis robinson in canal st nr millars bridge apart from his service in the first world war on the ship virginian sadly he died in 1944 when i was six years old,i would have loved to have been able to listen more of his stories about his horses

Comment left by John cullen on 1st June, 2014 at 16:26
Hi I lived with my grand father in hornby street l.pool 5 in 1942 I was only 4 yrs old at the time but I remember one day when my grandad took me to bank hall were bowler a big gray stallion was my g.father.shorse I think I was the railways horse but what big fella he was. And I was always playing around him in and out of his legs and him swishing his tail he was a gentle giant and very gentle to me my g.grandad was always one eye out for me anthe other on bowler no need to worry their I think it was the other way about haha oh happy days my mother was a carter as well she drove a four team and on one time a six team it was for ammo going to Kirkby under ground that is what I was told . My mum told me so many stories you take care out their.

Comment left by Alan Clegg on 17th July, 2014 at 8:45
Helen Carr's query 2012. My Grandfather's horses were requisitioned from Liverpool for WW1.

Comment left by Carol on 9th August, 2014 at 7:14
I am researching my great grandfather Thomas alexander Butler born in Ireland. He was a carter in Liverpool. In 1901 census he is listed as a railway agents carter and lived in Claudia street. Would love any information or help with where I could find a list of carters.

Comment left by Sharon Brown on 8th September, 2014 at 9:46
This is a message for Alan Clegg who left a comment on 17th July. The Museum of Liverpool is also interested in finding out about the requisition of horses in WW1 so I would love to talk to him about this if he has any further information. Thank you, Sharon Brown, Museum of Liverpool 0151 478 4064

Comment left by Pauline on 29th September, 2014 at 20:09
I would be interested to know anything about a RICHARD KIRBY who lived in Denmark St, Waterloo, Liverpool. He was a carter from 1910 - 1949 ?

Comment left by jim Bevis on 1st October, 2014 at 1:24
Hi I'm trying to find out more information on Dick Benson "Liverpool only black carter" he was my wifes great grandfather jamesbevis@yahoo.co.uk Ive seen the pics at the museum but that's about it, cheers Jim

Comment left by pat on 30th November, 2014 at 15:58
My gtgrandfather Thomas Hartley and his father William were carters in Liverpool about 1860/1870's. Maybe working in coal yards? Anyone recognise their surname please?

Comment left by Lydia milne on 6th January, 2015 at 20:12
Im just wondering if there is a Carter association that has regular meetings in Liverpool, as my dad is researching our family history and has discovered that our great grandfather was a carter in Scottland road. Thank you

Comment left by tracy on 1st March, 2015 at 20:54
hi I am looking for any information on my G Grandfather Robert Hargreaves who was born in 1885 and had died before 1907 who ad lived in Grafton street, Liverpool. He was a carter and would like to know if anyone has any information to help me thanks.

Comment left by Albert Martin on 3rd March, 2015 at 22:54
To Jim Bevis,I had the privelidge of working with Dick Benson as a pony waggon lad and on my return from N/S as a team driver.An absolute gentilman and a good friend of Joe Thornton another Carter at L,C,C

Comment left by james.bowers on 13th April, 2015 at 19:39
hi i am searching for any information on my grandfaher who was a cartier during the 30s and 40s onwards for LMS later british rail or corporation his stables were based in park lane liverpolhis name was Arthur Bowers if anyone has any information can you e.mail me please many thanks

Comment left by Rose O'Neill on 20th May, 2015 at 22:04
l am researching my family tree my father was henry cuddy he died in 1945 aged 43. I was just 2 years old at the time . I believe he contacted Anthrax. any information will be appreciated please contact me via e mail

Comment left by Helen Dover on 24th May, 2015 at 15:29
Im looking for information about my greatgrandfather Henry Houghton, Carter on Scotland Road, Any information would be greatly appreciated via my email.

Comment left by Beresford Lambert on 21st June, 2015 at 20:33
Looking for any information on William Tipping who was a carter before WW1 , my Great Grandfather, Also anything on Beresford Tipping,my Grandfather. Please contact me via e-mail Thanks.

Comment left by Marian Gallagher on 10th July, 2015 at 19:49
My Grandfather was the Carters Runner for Smithards on Virgil Street on Scotland Rd. They were bombed out in 1941, My Grandfather was Bernard Smith and was a Carter in 1908 onwards although he did fight in WW1.

Comment left by dereck jones on 21st July, 2015 at 8:55
hi does anyone remember benjamin jones and his son charles jones fron the early 1900's as i have just found out he was a carter in liverpool and am tring to trace my relatives

Comment left by John Proffitt on 2nd August, 2015 at 23:33
My Grandfather William John Proffitt had a carting business in Liverpool from WWI to the end of WWII. He had his stables on Queens Drive, Walton Village. There have been several articles written about this. I am so proud you have a web site in honour of all the carters and horses who made a significant contribution to Liverpool and the country in those times.

Comment left by Francis Golden on 22nd August, 2015 at 14:37
Mothers father John Glynn managed stables at Taylor Street and lived in Eldon St./Bond St. Bankrupt in the 20/30s (may be due to his losing a leg due to kick from a horse. Is there a register of carters please?

Comment left by hilary cowan on 24th September, 2015 at 22:18
my grandfather was a carter in the early 1930s liverpool 8.we do not have any photographs of him .his name was Owen Glendower thomas .Is there register please

Comment left by Peter McIlveen on 8th February, 2016 at 16:37
My grandfather was Charles Smithard owner of Smithards stables I remember visiting them in the 1940s if anyone has information re smithards

Comment left by Albert Martrin on 22nd February, 2016 at 20:09
I remember taking a load of wet hides to the tannery in Birkenhead.TheCarter I was with was Billy Harris from George Davies and we had to use the floating roadway to join the cattle boat.The tide was out and we had to lock both rear wheels on the waggon to use the floating roadway.When we arrived at the B/head side a carter named Billy Ferns hooked up two chain horses to take us to the top

Comment left by Matthew Cox on 23rd February, 2016 at 9:23
My Great Grandfather John HEATLEY was a General Carter from about 1880 until the I believe the 1920s (he'd died in 1925). He lived at the following addresses Edgeware St, 17 Greenland St, 48 Rokeby St, 79 Thomaston St. I would be very grateful if any one has any information on him or suggestions where I can look for it. I live in NZ so regretfully visits to the UK are not on the cards anytime soon. My email address is harryheatleysgrandson@gmail.com Thanks Matthew

Comment left by Jean Hoyle on 17th April, 2016 at 22:19
On the 1871 census my GGrandfather, Michael McMahon from Dundalk, Ireland s shown as a cart owner. He lived at 16 Sophia street and at No 18 lived a Charles Frodsham, Carter. I want to find out if my GGrandfather was a member of the Carters' Union and any information about the McMahon family.

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