A Cordwainer was a maker of high quality shoes as opposed to a plain bootmaker. Originally he was a person who worked in cordwain, a high quality leather from Cordova in Spain. In the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries, fine boots for the upper classes and nobility were not just to cover the feet, they were a fashion statement. They were so well made that often they can be found in wills being passed down to sons. Cordwainer boots were made for special purposes, one style to ride to the hounds, another style for an officer's military uniform, another style to visit his lordship or go courting, and another style for general travel."

Colin has ancestors who were cordwainers in the Bungay area of Suffolk. See the Cornabys. Celia Lincoln married Henry (or Harry) Cornaby in 1841. We have also found a Lincoln family in that town who were cordwainers, but we don't yet know if they were linked to ours