With his brothers, Edward and Samuel , Francis plied his trade at the mast-yard in Dover, styling himself carpenter. In Captain John Gerrish's account of ye Masting Aug 09, 1686 , ...Franc: Small is credited with work upon the Madbury bridge, and his name also appears upon several other time-tables. The "1 payr french sols: which were charged to him were doubless a luxury but little indulged in at that period.