Drysalter

Drysalters were dealers in a range of chemical products, including glue, varnish, dye and colourings.

They might supply salt or chemicals for preserving food and sometimes also sold pickles, dried meat or related items.

Drysaltery is closely linked to the occupation of salter which in the Middle Ages simply meant someone who traded in salt.

[citation needed] In 1726, Daniel Defoe described a tradesman involved in the "buying of cochineal, indigo, galls, shumach, logwood, fustick, madder, and the like" as both dry-salter and salter.

The Salters' Livery Company tells us that "some of the members who were salt traders were also 'Drysalters' and dealt in flax, hemp, logwood, cochineal, potashes and chemical preparations.