Shiny Objects found along the way #5 - Porters and Freedom of the City of London

I ran across an 1839 document declaring John Churchman license as a fellowship porter in the Freedom of the City of London.   It wasn't in my family but I was still interested in several elements.  What is a fellowship porter?  What is a Freedom of the City of London? So many questions. So I did a little research.

Freemen in London in the 16th century was a social class. A freeman was a person who was not enslaved or in bondage and a member of the City craft guilds - masons, millers, carpenters, porters, bakers, weavers, etc.  Craft guilds grew out of a growing population, division of labor, specialization, and urbanization.  As time went on, the designation of Freeman was hereditary by a closely controlled group consisting of those entitled by birth, apprenticeship, marriage, purchase, or through the granting of a favor.

The porters played an irreplaceable role in London’s economy from the 17th to the 19th centuries, one that was the equivalent of white van delivery driver, motorcycle courier, and postman rolled into one.  Porters were responsible for moving everything that came into the City via the river Thames.  Fellowship Porters carried “measurable” goods (grain, coal, salt and the like) on and off ships moored in the Thames and in and out of warehouses.  Ticket Porters carried everything the Fellowship Porters didn't carry that came in via ships,  Street Porters carried everything up to 350 pounds that needed to be moved from one place to another but not involving a ship,