The village smithy, or blacksmith shop, was often located at the corner of two main roads so that it was easy to find. A blacksmith was a place where various types of tools and other objects were made out of metal. It wasn’t unusual to see several people waiting at the shop for their objects due to the fact that the smithy was a popular meeting place in the 1800’s.
The role of a blacksmith was very diverse, not only was he the local toolmaker and “engineer,” he was sometimes called upon to act as a dentist, doctor, vet etc. The blacksmith was at the heart of every country village. The blacksmith often crafted the tools farmers needed such as metal parts for plows, hoes and rakes. He would have sharpened and repaired these items as well. Most people in the 1800’s owned iron objects such as pots and pans for cooking over an open fire in which the blacksmith would have made. He would also make useful objects like candle holders and lanterns for lighting the rooms in home and barns. Larger towns often had many blacksmiths who would become experts at forging one type of object; such as a locksmith who made locks and keys.
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