Occupation: Linen Draper

An ancestor's occupation as described in a vellum Indenture: 

Mortgage of 130 acres of marshlands and premises situate in the Level of West Maytham in the Parish of Rolvenden, Kent for securing £250 at 5 per cent dated 17 July 1705, Thomas Sharpe, Linen Draper of the ancient town of Rye, Sussex, to Mrs Elizabeth Collington

Draper: originally a term for a retailer or wholesaler of cloth that was mainly for clothing; dealer in fabrics

 

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Occupation: Stevedore

A stevedore is a skilled dock worker specializing in the task of loading and unloading a ship; placing cargo carefully in the hold to ensure the ship will remain stable at sea and not list or capsize due to an imbalance in the hold while keeping it in the proper order to accommodate unloading at different ports. The process of loading and unloading could involve rigging and tackle to hoist cargo into the hold and the building and placement of planks and gangways.

Workday Wednesday: Apprentices Wanted

 

The Maryland Herald

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Workday Wednesday Occupation: Mantua Maker

From the 1860 U.S.Federal Census:

 (click image to enlarge)

 

Widow Mary Foster and her daughter, Mary, were both listed as mantua makers in the census above.

Mantua Maker:  A maker of women's clothing; a dressmaker


A mantua (from the French manteuil ) was a late 17th century and 18th century article of women's clothing that was typically worn over stays, stomacher and coordinating petticoat.

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Occupation: Doffer

A doffer is someone who clears full bobbins and spindles holding spun fiber such as cotton or wool from a spinning frame and replaces them with empty ones.  In the textile mills this work required speed and dexterity rather than strength and was often done by children.  Modern textile mills now utilize doffing machines.

(Image source: ehistory.osu.edu)

Occupation: Farm Bailiff

 

John Cassingham

Occupation: Farm Bailiff

Barming, Kent, 1851 England Census Record

 

 Farm Bailiff:  An overseer appointed by the possessor or proprietor of a farm to direct and superintend the farming operations.

Historically, the farm bailiff oversaw the collection of rent and taxes from the barns and storehouses of the lord of the manor.  Was also known as a grainger  (derived from the Latin granicarius; a derivative of granica, meaning granary).

Occupation: Costermonger

Costermonger: 
A seller of fruits & vegetables; also referred to as a Coster

A common sight in mid-Victorian England, these street vendors would use a loud sing-song chant to attract attention. Their cart could be a stationary market stall, mobile wheelbarrel, or horse-drawn cart.

Occupation: Draper

(Click image to enlarge)

1890: Thomas Cassingham, Draper, is listed in the Applications for Debtors Discharge.

Draper :   A dealer in cloth; one who is a wholesaler or retailer of cloth, mainly for clothing; or one who works in a draper's shop.  

Harding, Howell & Co., 1810. A fashionable draper’s shop at 89 Pall Mall, 1796–1820.  Reproduced in London: A Social History by Roy Porter.

The Draper's Shop

 Girls Own Paper 1894

(Source: The Family Recorder)

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Occupation: Coremaker

1899 Cleveland City Directory

entry for Michael & Peter Busch:

                       
                           Occupation:  Coremaker
                                A person who makes cores for foundry molds.

An early 1900's foundry image

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Occupation: Iron Moulder

Stephen Welcheck  born.14 Dec 1864 in Bohemia, Austria, son of Frank Welcheck & Katrina Plumsky, listed his occupation in several census records including the 1900 U.S. Federal Census (seen in the post dated 08/19/2010) as an Iron Moulder.

An iron moulder made moulds (or molds) from which castings were made.
The moulder used a special wooden pattern or wax model to shape the mould. The model was then removed (or lost) leaving the shape required and creating the mould.

A moulding floor of a foundry.

An iron founder founds or casts iron using moulds.

Note on spelling differences: 
Most words ending in an unstressed –our in British English (colour, flavour, honour, neighbour, rumour, labour) end in –or in American English (color, flavor, honor, neighbor, rumor, labor).

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Occupation: Grazier

Grazier:  One who rears cattle or sheep on grazing land for market.

Romney Marsh - located in the south-east of England.

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Occupation: Wheelwright

(image source: History of Work)
  
One of our French-Canadian Ancestors: 

1900 census: Peter (Pierre) Robillard of Norwich, New London, Connecticut; Age: 63; b. Aug 1831 Canada; wife: Philomene Ducharme b. Nov. 1836 Canada; Occupation: wheelwright

A wheelwright is a tradesman who builds or repairs wheels for carts or wagons. The wheels were traditionally made from wood and were banded by iron tires. Sometimes bone or horn were used for decorative purposes. The iron hoop or 'tire' was supplied by the blacksmith. Wheelwrights were sometimes also referred to as a wainwright. The word, wainwright, is the combination of the root words 'wain' (a large wagon for farm use) and 'wright' (a worker or maker). In modern times, wheelwrights continue to make and repair a wide variety of wheels for horse-drawn vehicles used in farming, equine competitions, and historical events. One such wheelwright shop is located in Colonial Williamsburg creating the wheels for the carriages used in the historic district.

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