This Foldout collects the entries for some of the Jobs and Occupations which have been recorded in the district
| A |
Father or Fr is used for a Catholic priest
The term is widely used in censuses and other records.
Many of these were recorded prior to the Industrial Revolution
In the 12th century, the Warren family were appointed to oversee
ale houses.
In 1393, Richard II decreed that ale houses should have a
pictorial sign so that the ale-conner could recognise the
establishment
Anyone who is responsible for distributing charity to the needy, or
someone in charge of petty cash
See
Annatto
The adjective is armigerous
Father Ref 298-F23 Abraham man Ref 298-1977 Acater Ref 298-A41 Accomptant Ref 298-1063 Accoucheur Ref 298-A45 Acre-man Ref 298-A47 aegyptianus Ref 298-2 Affeerer Ref 298-2133 Ag.Lab Ref 298-23 Ale-conner Ref 298-1815 Ale-draper Ref 298-A12 Almoner Ref 298-1051 Alnager Ref 298-A13 Amen man Ref 298-A30 Anilepman Ref 298-A25 Annatto-maker Ref 298-2532 Apparitor Ref 298-2251 Appraiser Ref 298-1820 Archiator Ref 298-A32 Archil-maker Ref 298-2565 Archill maker Ref 298-90 Armiger Ref 298-A44
| B |
See
Tenter
An Act of 1697 required anyone who received parish relief to wear a
badge with the letter P – for pauper – sewn to their clothes.
These people were known as badgers, and were licensed by the
Quarter Sessions and recorded in Badgers' Recognisances.
The badge was a distinguishing mark, and designed to discourage
fraudulent beggars as people began to move from the countryside
into the towns.
Any pauper who refused to wear the badge was liable to be committed
to prison for 3 weeks' hard labour.
Any parish officer who gave relief to a poor person who was not
wearing a badge could be fined 20/-.
Badge wearing was compulsory until the law was repealed in 1810.
See
Cadger
The name was often qualified by adding the name of the product
sold: egg badger, potato badger, and so on.
The word is also used as a surname and in place names – often
spelled as Bagger – and is recorded around 1300.
See
Badger Lane, Brighouse and
Cadger
The name was also used for someone who was in charge of
a brothel
The man responsible for the winding mechanism and lift cage which are
used for lowering / raising the workers and the coal at a coal mine.
Later, the word was used for the person who oversees the reversing of
vehicles out of building sites
The striped red and white barber's pole reminds us of the blood and
bandages of the surgical practices.
See
Powler
See
Warper
Someone who makes and repairs iron objects.
See
Farrier
See
Grave
Bondmen were not allowed to live outside the manor without licence
from the lord.
Where permission was given an annual chevage was payable to the
lord by the bondman.
A bondman could not take legal action concerning rents or tenure
against the lord.
When a bondman died, his property passed to the lord of the manor;
the relatives could buy the property on payment of an entry
fee to the lord.
The word is also used to mean an apprentice who was bonded to a
master for the purpose of learning a skill or trade.
See
Slave
See
Bondman
See
Borough Treasurer of Brighouse,
Borough Treasurer of Halifax,
Borough Treasurer of Rastrick,
Borough Treasurer of Todmorden and
Town Clerk
In the 19th century, the terms botanist and medical
botanist were used for a herbalist.
Braces were made of leather or elastic fabric, and were used as
suspenders for holding-up trousers.
They were made by hand or by machine
Brewster sessions were a special Quarter Sessions meeting
which licensed inn-keepers and keepers of alehouses
See
Whitesmith
See
Good brother
Back-tenter Ref 298-B11 Back-washer Ref 298-B12 Badger Ref 298-2712 Badger Ref 298-2809 Bagniokeeper Ref 298-B41 Bairman Ref 298-1136 Bandmaster Ref 298-968 Bang-beggar Ref 298-2615 Banksman Ref 298-2837
Barber Ref 298-B74 Bareman Ref 298-1129 Basil-worker Ref 298-B14 Baumer Ref 298-B31 Beamer Ref 298-1243 Blacksmith Ref 298-944 Bluffer Ref 298-B75 Bobbin turner Ref 298-87 Body-snatcher Ref 298-1276 Boiler-tapper Ref 298-B21 Bondman Ref 298-1509 Bondsman Ref 298-B52 Boothman Ref 298-2663 Borough Treasurer Ref 298-2619 Botanist Ref 298-48 Brace maker Ref 298-72 Brasiater Ref 298-B20 Brasiler Ref 298-2699 Brazier Ref 298-B64 Brewster Ref 298-B48 Brightsmith Ref 298-20 Brogger Ref 298-1384 Brother Ref 298-B32 Brownsmith Ref 298-2719
| C |
See
Badger,
Cadge and
Cadger Lane, Brighouse
Later, the term was used for anyone who carried out research,
particularly for use in elections or sales
Someone who drives a cart & horse(s) to make deliveries of goods
Someone who drives a cart & horse(s) to make deliveries of goods
Corn chandlers and tallow chandlers are encountered
See
Copeman
It can also mean someone who works in the printing industry
See
Verney Horsfall
Later, someone who made cakes and sweets.
See
Confectionery
See
Tranqueter
See
Chapman
The word comes from Córdoban, after the leather
products of the Spanish city of Córdoba.
See
Clicker
Under an Act of 1752, coroners returned abstracts of inquests to the
Quarter Sessions in order to claim their expenses.
These returns are preserved in the sessions files and include the
date of the inquest, the name of the deceased and the verdict of the
jury.
These are public records and there is a 75 years' closure period on
them.
See
William Barstow,
John Brigg,
John Brigg,
Coroner's Court, Halifax,
J. F. Dearden,
Thomas F. Dearden,
George Dyson,
George, Brighouse,
Halifax Town Hall,
John Hargreaves,
Ernest Hatton Hill,
John Richard Ingram,
Bernard Williamson Little,
Edward Wallace Norris,
William Stansfeld,
Joseph Wood and
Robert Wood
See
Monger
Cadger Ref 298-1885 Cafender Ref 298-C38 Canvasser Ref 298-C1036 Carboniser Ref 298-78 Carder Ref 298-96 Carman Ref 298-60 Carter Ref 298-61 Catagman Ref 298-C13 Chair bottomer Ref 298-67 Chandler Ref 298-2535 Chapman Ref 298-1734 Cheese winder Ref 298-27 Clicker Ref 298-45 Clogger Ref 298-4 Clothier Ref 298-C78 Cobbler Ref 298-974 Collier Ref 298-C51 Comber Ref 298-46 Cone Winder Ref 298-29 Confectioner Ref 298-965 Conveyancer Ref 298-962 Cooper Ref 298-930 Coparcener Ref 298-C12 Copeman Ref 298-2543 Cordwainer Ref 298-1300 Corn chandler Ref 298-1981 Coroner Ref 298-2361 Costermonger Ref 298-1888 Cottager Ref 298-C89 Cottar Ref 298-1761 Couper Ref 298-C53 Couple beggar Ref 298-2661 Cropper Ref 298-C102 Culler Ref 298-1715 Cunning man Ref 298-1635 Cursitor Ref 298-C113 Cutlooker Ref 298-82
| D |
A casual worker who is paid by the day.
See Journeyman
This was distinct from a stone miner who worked underground.
See
Master-taker and
Stone quarrying
Compare Textor.
There are
the
entries on
the Calderdale Companion
for people with the surname Dexter.
A steward or treasurer
To some extent, Dissenters were tradesmen and workers of the lower
class.
In the 18th century, Dissenters were excluded from membership of
certain bodies, for example, they could not be
a student at Oxford & Cambridge,
a Magistrate,
or
a Member of Parliament.
See
Baptists,
Congregationalists,
Methodists and
Unitarians
The dogs might be attracted by the tails of foxes, and other
animals – which were killed in order to collect a bounty – and nailed
to the church door.
Someone who makes or deals in dry chemicals, such as dyes and colours
for the textile industry
Question:
Is this the same as
a drysalter?
Dataller Ref 298-75 Delver Ref 298-57 Devil minder Ref 298-5 Devil worker Ref 298-6 Deviller Ref 298-68 Dexter Ref 298-24 Dispensatore Ref 298-1049 Dissenter Ref 298-2569 
Dog whipper Ref 298-2840 Doubler Ref 298-88 Drover Ref 298-1015 Drysalter Ref 298-1059 Dryster Ref 298-34
Duler Ref 298-7 Dummerer Ref 298-2546
| E |
The name continued to be used as alderman
See
Tenter
An executrix is a female executor.
Ealdorman Ref 298-77 Engine Tenter Ref 298-2524 Executor Ref 298-1980
| F |
See
Flag Facer
Someone who deals in hides and skins – particularly sheepskins – and
other animal products which were used for making glue, and a
tradesman who prepares skins for the tanner.
See
Monger
See
Cropper
See
Stone dresser
Compare this with freeman
See
Copyholder,
Inholder and
Smallholder
Facer Ref 298-1080 Farrier Ref 298-74 Fellmonger Ref 298-2482 Feoffee Ref 298-2019 Feoffor Ref 298-2048 Feroner Ref 298-F7 Fettler Ref 298-1146 Finisher Ref 298-F6 Fixer Ref 298-1942 Flag Facer Ref 298-1077 Freedman Ref 298-1835 Freeholder Ref 298-1613 Frith man Ref 298-2017 Fuller Ref 298-42
| G |
The name turnkey was also used
The work is carried out by a garnetter.
See
Shoddy
The sons of a men titled esquire are titled gentlemen.
See
Goodwife
See
Goodman
Aka
Aegyptianus,
Zingarius,
and
Zingari.
True gypsies speak the Romany language and are believed to originate
in South Asia.
Gaoler Ref 298-69 Garnet Ref 298-38 Garthman Ref 298-G12 Gasser Ref 298-8 Gaux collector Ref 298-9 Gentleman Ref 298-324 Good brother Ref 298-2851
Goodman Ref 298-1353 Goodwife Ref 298-1354 Goux collector Ref 298-10 Grace wife Ref 298-79 Gracer Ref 298-G19 Gunsmith Ref 298-946 Gypsy Ref 298-919
| H |
See
Brush Makers and
Horn merchant
It is recorded that there were 1057 half-timers working in Halifax in
1917.
The practice became illegal in 1922.
See
Child Labour and
Factory Acts
This is also a surname in some parts of the country
In the 19th century, the term botanist might also mean
a herbalist.
Some local herbalists were
John Anderton,
Charles William Bentley,
John Bull Herbal Remedy Company,
S. Challice,
William Culpan,
Prof Fairbairn,
Samuel Fleming,
George Galloway,
Greenwood Hanson,
Henry Hanson,
Mrs Ann Helliwell,
Charles Henry Hitchin,
A. Lambert,
Walter Burns Lingard,
Jonathan Lord,
M. Ringrose and
Mrs Mary Ann Vowles
See
Hurrier
See
Badger
Later, it was a mill worker who operated a machine which laid out a
length of cloth into uniform folds of the required length
See
Hair Merchant and
Horner
See
Horn merchant and
Horner surname
It was also a general term for anyone who sold goods from a small
shop or a booth
Huggers wore a leather saddle to protect themselves.
They used a hugging ladder – a ladder with broad rungs set
close together – which made the ascent easier for the worker who
could not use his hands to steady himself as he climbed.
The task was mechanised during the 1800s, although hugging continued
until about 1870.
There were numerous accidents involving huggers and stone workers
See
Hewer,
Mines Act [1842] and
Thruster
They came below yeomen on the social scale.
See
Bordar
Haberdasher Ref 298-H34 Hair merchant Ref 298-32 Half-timer Ref 298-2852 Hawker Ref 298-995 Hellier Ref 298-H49 Henter Ref 298-H23 Herbalist Ref 298-47
Hewer Ref 298-1366 Higgler Ref 298-2471 Highwayman Ref 298-1451 Hooker Ref 298-255 Horn merchant Ref 298-33 Horner Ref 298-71 Hosier Ref 298-H35 Hostler Ref 298-1598 Huckster Ref 298-2513 Hugger Ref 298-1280 Hurrier Ref 298-1050 
Husbandman Ref 298-1574 Hush-seller Ref 298-2489
| I |
Impropriator Ref 298-I15 Ingomon Ref 298-1199 Inholder Ref 298-1213
| J |
It is also an occupational surname mentioned around 1368, and was
common in Stainland
The name may be derived from the German Jæger, a type of
pony which was used as a packhorse.
See
Ailsa O'Fusses
Typically, he travelled widely and worked away from home, and would
have completed his apprenticeship but was not yet a master
of his trade.
Journeymen were members of a guild
Jacksmith Ref 298-943 Jagger Ref 298-2001 Journeyman Ref 298-2335
| K |
King's archer Ref 298-1330 Kneller Ref 298-K3
| L |
See
Laik
See
Lister
In many online Census returns, this is wrongly transcribed as Loom
turner
Laiker Ref 298-L23 Lamiger Ref 298-L30 Lanternist Ref 298-73 Lardner Ref 298-11 Lavender Ref 298-L17 Lecturer Ref 298-L33 Limiter Ref 298-L27 Lister Ref 298-315 Little Maker Ref 298-2293 Loom tuner Ref 298-83 Loom turner Ref 298-85 Lorimer Ref 298-1206
| M |
In the 1830s, representatives from Toronto came to England to recruit
stone masons and market gardeners which were in great demand in
Canada.
Many local workers emigrated about this time.
There were many local people involved in gardening and market
gardening – see Local Gardening & Horticulture
See
Journeyman
In several cases, the master-taker was also the local
innkeeper, and would pay the wages to his delvers in his own inn,
ensuring that a proportion of their earnings was quickly returned to
him!
See
Chapman and
Halifax Act [1555]
See
Gossip,
Grace wife,
Monthly Nurse,
Wet nurse and
Wiseman / Wisewoman
The word originally meant someone from Milan, and later it can
to mean someone who sold fancy goods from Milan
Machine-breaker Ref 298-M40 Mantua maker Ref 298-12 Market gardener Ref 298-M44 Master Ref 298-2800 Master-taker Ref 298-493 Melder Ref 298-M20 Mender Ref 298-276 Mercer Ref 298-13 Mercury woman Ref 298-M30 Messor Ref 298-M19 Middle man Ref 298-1270 Middleman Ref 298-765 Midwife Ref 298-64 Milliner Ref 298-M11 Milner Ref 298-M16 Misegatherer Ref 298-M21 Monger Ref 298-1011 Monthly Nurse Ref 298-63
| N |
Many navvies were Irish migrants.
Navvy Ref 298-1449
| O |
The name was also used for someone who maintains and tunes the looms.
The name tackler is used in Lancashire.
See
Halifax & District Power Loom Overlookers' Society and
Powerloom Overlookers' Club, Todmorden
Ordinary keeper Ref 298-O8 Ostler Ref 298-O1 Overlooker Ref 298-224
| P |
The name comes from the French palisse meaning a pale
or a fence.
This and associated words are often corrupted to palace
See
Parker Surname
The National Passive Resistance Movement was formed in 1902 by
the Baptist Minister
John Clifford.
There was considerable opposition in February 1904, when non-payment
resulted in seizure of their goods and possesions to the value of the
rate and the costs.
On 23rd June 1905, there was a Passive Resisters'
Demonstration in Halifax with a speech by the Rev
A. T. Guttery.
In 1906, over 170 passive resisters were imprisoned at Wakefield.
See
Rev Roger Briggs,
Harold Chapman,
Rev William Lawrence,
James Edward Whiteley and
Rev John Wilkinson
See
Overseer of the Poor and
Roundsman
Later, it was any workman involved in paving paths and roads.
See
Setter
See
Police
A textile worker who joins any broken threads and feeds them into the
machines during the processes of slubbing, scribbling, carding
and spinning.
The intricate task was often performed by women or child workers.
See
Mule piecer and
Piece worker
An official who was responsible for rounding up and impounding stray
and wandering animals and cattle.
The animals were impounded in a pound or pinfold.
See
Culler,
Hayward,
Neatherd and
Pinder
Palisser Ref 298-2541 Palliard Ref 298-1298 Palmer Ref 298-P24 Pardoner Ref 298-P57 Parker Ref 298-43 Passive Resister Ref 298-1087 Pauper Ref 298-1138 Pavior Ref 298-P19 Paviour Ref 298-1057 Pawnbroker Ref 298-P14 Peeler Ref 298-P16 percher Ref 298-14 Pew-opener Ref 298-2713 Piece Worker Ref 298-92 Piecener Ref 298-86 Piecer Ref 298-211 Pikeman Ref 298-P55
Pinder Ref 298-1958 Pistor Ref 298-1047 Plug-drawer Ref 298-P48 Poulterer Ref 298-P29 Powler Ref 298-1012 Preemer Ref 298-P25 
Pretender Ref 298-P5 Prigger Ref 298-P12 Proctor Ref 298-P30 Puddler Ref 298-36
| R |
He was responsible for the maintenance of the chancel which was his
private part of the church.
In his absence, the vicar deputised for the rector.
There is now no difference between a vicar and a rector.
A curate is an assistant to the rector
Question:
Does anyone know what the job entailed?
See
Parish Relief
Rag & bone man Ref 298-R21 Reaver Ref 298-R2 Recorder Ref 298-R10 Rector Ref 298-1611 Reducer Ref 298-40
a reducer in a worsted factory
Relief innkeeper Ref 298-58
Relieving Officer Ref 298-130 Remittance man Ref 298-1228
Riddler Ref 298-R14 Ring spinner Ref 298-94 Ruffler Ref 298-2498
| S |
By 1817, 1,170 croppers were out of work in Yorkshire;
1,445 were employed part-time;
763 were employed full-time.
Also a man who sheared sheep
See
Mercer and
Silk industry
See
Silk warper
See
Silk thrower
See
Copyholder
See
Blacksmith,
Brownsmith,
Gunsmith,
Jacksmith,
Smithy,
Sucksmith and
Whitesmith
See
Flag Facer
This was distinct from a stone delver who worked in a open quarry
This may simply to dry the material, or, in some cases, to expose it
to sulphur fumes, or to produce a special surface effect.
The work was done by a stover
See
Smith and
Sucksmith surname
Saltpetre man Ref 298-S37 Sawyer Ref 298-1029 Scavenger Ref 298-26 Scrivener Ref 298-S60 scutcher Ref 298-15 Scutiger Ref 298-1821 Serjeant Ref 298-S87 Setter Ref 298-50 Shearman Ref 298-2698
Sherman Ref 298-2587 Silk dresser Ref 298-51 Silk mercer Ref 298-52 Silk thrower Ref 298-54 Silk warper Ref 298-53 Singer Ref 298-1083
Pronunciation:
Singer rhymes with ginger
Sister Ref 298-S31 Skiver Ref 298-25 Slop tailor Ref 298-941 Slopseller Ref 298-S88 Smallholder Ref 298-2749 Smith Ref 298-945 Socman Ref 298-1314 Sojourner Ref 298-S13 Spencer Ref 298-S8 Spinner Ref 298-16 Squatter Ref 298-S34 Stationer Ref 298-91 Stay-Maker Ref 298-62 Stone Dresser Ref 298-41 Stone miner Ref 298-56 Stover Ref 298-49
Stravaiger Ref 298-S23 Strawman Ref 298-S22 Stuff Merchant Ref 298-17 Sucksmith Ref 298-948 Summoner Ref 298-S76 Surgeon Ref 298-37 Sutler Ref 298-S67
| T |
See
Chandler
See
Back-tenter,
Engine tenter and
Tenter frame
A testatrix is a woman who writes a will
A tierer was employed to spread a fresh surface of colour on
the printer's pad each time he used it to print calico
See
Smith
the bottles were re-used,
the rags were sold to makers of shoddy
and the bones were sold on to glue-making businesses
See
Cooper
A Tyler is a Doorkeeper or Guard at the Lodge
Tallow chandler Ref 298-2120 Tallyman Ref 298-T14 Teamer Ref 298-985 Temple maker Ref 298-95
Tenter Ref 298-1 Territorial Ref 298-18 Testator Ref 298-2227 Textor Ref 298-1173 Thief-taker Ref 298-T65 Thrower Ref 298-19 Thruster Ref 298-1547
Thumper Ref 298-T2 Tickneyman Ref 298-T68 Tierer Ref 298-76
Tilloter Ref 298-59 Tinker Ref 298-T52 Tinsmith Ref 298-65 Tippler Ref 298-T16 Tithingman Ref 298-35 Todhunter Ref 298-T67 Totter Ref 298-97 Town husband Ref 298-1632 Trammer Ref 298-926 Trampler Ref 298-T64 Tranqueter Ref 298-T13 Translator Ref 298-T66 Tranter Ref 298-T62 Trencherman Ref 298-21 Troacher Ref 298-T61 Tueler Ref 298-31 Tuler Ref 298-30 Turnkey Ref 298-70 Tutor Ref 298-2567 Twister-in Ref 298-66 Tyler Ref 298-762
| U |
At one point, the ullnagers increased the tax, and a number of
Halifax clothiers – refusing to pay – sold their cloth unsealed;
the ullnager attempted to seize the goods, but the clothiers won the
subsequent court case.
The records are held as Ullnagers' Accounts or Ullnagers'
Rolls.
See
Narrow cloth
At Heath Grammar School, the
Usher
had similar duties to the Headmaster, but received only half the
salary.
Thomas Preston
was Usher – or Ludimagister – at Heath Grammar School
[1671]
Ullnager Ref 298-80 Usher Ref 298-383
| V |
Vagrant Ref 298-22 Vat man Ref 298-933 Venetor Ref 298-V8 Verderer Ref 298-2782 Verger Ref 298-V12
| W |
See
Enclosures
See
Warner
The male form is Webb.
He took custody of, and was responsible for, goods delivered to the
wharf.
Typically, he had an office on the wharf or dock, and was responsible
for day-to-day activities including slipways, keeping tide tables and
resolving disputes.
The etymology is probably Elizabethan-era English.
The final 2 syllables are pronounced as in ginger not as
in finger.
See
Calder House, Sowerby Bridge and
Wharf House, Sowerby Bridge
See
Brightsmith,
Brownsmith and
Smith
See
Cheese winder and
Cone winder
A thick wire drawer produced wire of a greater thickness
Anyone who combs the raw wool during the making of cloth.
St Blaise is the patron St of woolcombers.
In 1853, a letter to the Reynold's Newspaper reported that
See
Bishop Blaise
Henry VIII abolished the practice.
See
Halifax Act [1555] and
Woolshops
A single fleece comprised many different staples and grades of
wool.
The staples of wool were sorted according to quality, colour, length
and fineness.
See
Huntriss family of Halifax,
Wooldriving and
Woolshops
This was a lowly-paid position, but had considerable responsibility
and prestige in the community
Walker Ref 298-44 Waller Ref 298-W1 Warper Ref 298-1242 Warrener Ref 298-39 Webster Ref 298-458 Wharfinger Ref 298-1207
Whitesmith Ref 298-W39 Whitster Ref 298-936 Willeyer Ref 298-55 Winder Ref 298-28 Wire drawer Ref 298-89 Wiseman / Wisewoman Ref 298-81 Woolchapman Ref 298-W12 Woolcomber Ref 298-230
the woolcombers of Halifax and its district number about 10,000, with
their wives and children, making a population of nearly 30,000
dependent in that particular branch of labour.
They are in great distress, but the mill owners are making colossal
fortunes
Wooldriver Ref 298-84 Woolsorter Ref 298-466 Woolstapler Ref 298-188
Workhouse Master Ref 298-1961
| Y |
See
Journeyman
Some clothiers were also weavers and producers of cloth, and some
were merchants.
John Royds was one of the wealthiest clothiers in the
district.
Under the Weavers' Act [1555], clothiers in country districts
were forbidden to keep more than one loom, and woollen weavers were
forbidden to keep more than two looms.
Many clothiers became very prosperous, and many were Quakers.
As the export trade increased through Hull, many local
clothiers moved from Halifax to live at the port.
In the 16th century, John Winchcombe – known as Jack of
Newbury – was probably the most famous clothier in England.
More recently, the term clothier has been used to refer to a
tailor, or a retailer of mechanically produced cloth.
See
Clothier's Seal,
Little maker and
Ullnager
Yagger Ref 298-934 Yardman Ref 298-937 Yearman Ref 298-2767 Yeoman clothier Ref 298-2295
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
| A |
Father or Fr is used for a Catholic priest
The term is widely used in censuses and other records.
Many of these were recorded prior to the Industrial Revolution
In the 12th century, the Warren family were appointed to oversee
ale houses.
In 1393, Richard II decreed that ale houses should have a
pictorial sign so that the ale-conner could recognise the
establishment
Anyone who is responsible for distributing charity to the needy, or
someone in charge of petty cash
See
Annatto
The adjective is armigerous
Father Ref 298-F23 Abraham man Ref 298-1977 Acater Ref 298-A41 Accomptant Ref 298-1063 Accoucheur Ref 298-A45 Acre-man Ref 298-A47 aegyptianus Ref 298-2 Affeerer Ref 298-2133 Ag.Lab Ref 298-23 Ale-conner Ref 298-1815 Ale-draper Ref 298-A12 Almoner Ref 298-1051 Alnager Ref 298-A13 Amen man Ref 298-A30 Anilepman Ref 298-A25 Annatto-maker Ref 298-2532 Apparitor Ref 298-2251 Appraiser Ref 298-1820 Archiator Ref 298-A32 Archil-maker Ref 298-2565 Archill maker Ref 298-90 Armiger Ref 298-A44
| B |
See
Tenter
An Act of 1697 required anyone who received parish relief to wear a
badge with the letter P – for pauper – sewn to their clothes.
These people were known as badgers, and were licensed by the
Quarter Sessions and recorded in Badgers' Recognisances.
The badge was a distinguishing mark, and designed to discourage
fraudulent beggars as people began to move from the countryside
into the towns.
Any pauper who refused to wear the badge was liable to be committed
to prison for 3 weeks' hard labour.
Any parish officer who gave relief to a poor person who was not
wearing a badge could be fined 20/-.
Badge wearing was compulsory until the law was repealed in 1810.
See
Cadger
The name was often qualified by adding the name of the product
sold: egg badger, potato badger, and so on.
The word is also used as a surname and in place names – often
spelled as Bagger – and is recorded around 1300.
See
Badger Lane, Brighouse and
Cadger
The name was also used for someone who was in charge of
a brothel
The man responsible for the winding mechanism and lift cage which are
used for lowering / raising the workers and the coal at a coal mine.
Later, the word was used for the person who oversees the reversing of
vehicles out of building sites
The striped red and white barber's pole reminds us of the blood and
bandages of the surgical practices.
See
Powler
See
Warper
Someone who makes and repairs iron objects.
See
Farrier
See
Grave
Bondmen were not allowed to live outside the manor without licence
from the lord.
Where permission was given an annual chevage was payable to the
lord by the bondman.
A bondman could not take legal action concerning rents or tenure
against the lord.
When a bondman died, his property passed to the lord of the manor;
the relatives could buy the property on payment of an entry
fee to the lord.
The word is also used to mean an apprentice who was bonded to a
master for the purpose of learning a skill or trade.
See
Slave
See
Bondman
See
Borough Treasurer of Brighouse,
Borough Treasurer of Halifax,
Borough Treasurer of Rastrick,
Borough Treasurer of Todmorden and
Town Clerk
In the 19th century, the terms botanist and medical
botanist were used for a herbalist.
Braces were made of leather or elastic fabric, and were used as
suspenders for holding-up trousers.
They were made by hand or by machine
Brewster sessions were a special Quarter Sessions meeting
which licensed inn-keepers and keepers of alehouses
See
Whitesmith
See
Good brother
Back-tenter Ref 298-B11 Back-washer Ref 298-B12 Badger Ref 298-2712 Badger Ref 298-2809 Bagniokeeper Ref 298-B41 Bairman Ref 298-1136 Bandmaster Ref 298-968 Bang-beggar Ref 298-2615 Banksman Ref 298-2837
Barber Ref 298-B74 Bareman Ref 298-1129 Basil-worker Ref 298-B14 Baumer Ref 298-B31 Beamer Ref 298-1243 Blacksmith Ref 298-944 Bluffer Ref 298-B75 Bobbin turner Ref 298-87 Body-snatcher Ref 298-1276 Boiler-tapper Ref 298-B21 Bondman Ref 298-1509 Bondsman Ref 298-B52 Boothman Ref 298-2663 Borough Treasurer Ref 298-2619 Botanist Ref 298-48 Brace maker Ref 298-72 Brasiater Ref 298-B20 Brasiler Ref 298-2699 Brazier Ref 298-B64 Brewster Ref 298-B48 Brightsmith Ref 298-20 Brogger Ref 298-1384 Brother Ref 298-B32 Brownsmith Ref 298-2719
| C |
See
Badger,
Cadge and
Cadger Lane, Brighouse
Later, the term was used for anyone who carried out research,
particularly for use in elections or sales
Someone who drives a cart & horse(s) to make deliveries of goods
Someone who drives a cart & horse(s) to make deliveries of goods
Corn chandlers and tallow chandlers are encountered
See
Copeman
It can also mean someone who works in the printing industry
See
Verney Horsfall
Later, someone who made cakes and sweets.
See
Confectionery
See
Tranqueter
See
Chapman
The word comes from Córdoban, after the leather
products of the Spanish city of Córdoba.
See
Clicker
Under an Act of 1752, coroners returned abstracts of inquests to the
Quarter Sessions in order to claim their expenses.
These returns are preserved in the sessions files and include the
date of the inquest, the name of the deceased and the verdict of the
jury.
These are public records and there is a 75 years' closure period on
them.
See
William Barstow,
John Brigg,
John Brigg,
Coroner's Court, Halifax,
J. F. Dearden,
Thomas F. Dearden,
George Dyson,
George, Brighouse,
Halifax Town Hall,
John Hargreaves,
Ernest Hatton Hill,
John Richard Ingram,
Bernard Williamson Little,
Edward Wallace Norris,
William Stansfeld,
Joseph Wood and
Robert Wood
See
Monger
Cadger Ref 298-1885 Cafender Ref 298-C38 Canvasser Ref 298-C1036 Carboniser Ref 298-78 Carder Ref 298-96 Carman Ref 298-60 Carter Ref 298-61 Catagman Ref 298-C13 Chair bottomer Ref 298-67 Chandler Ref 298-2535 Chapman Ref 298-1734 Cheese winder Ref 298-27 Clicker Ref 298-45 Clogger Ref 298-4 Clothier Ref 298-C78 Cobbler Ref 298-974 Collier Ref 298-C51 Comber Ref 298-46 Cone Winder Ref 298-29 Confectioner Ref 298-965 Conveyancer Ref 298-962 Cooper Ref 298-930 Coparcener Ref 298-C12 Copeman Ref 298-2543 Cordwainer Ref 298-1300 Corn chandler Ref 298-1981 Coroner Ref 298-2361 Costermonger Ref 298-1888 Cottager Ref 298-C89 Cottar Ref 298-1761 Couper Ref 298-C53 Couple beggar Ref 298-2661 Cropper Ref 298-C102 Culler Ref 298-1715 Cunning man Ref 298-1635 Cursitor Ref 298-C113 Cutlooker Ref 298-82
| D |
A casual worker who is paid by the day.
See Journeyman
This was distinct from a stone miner who worked underground.
See
Master-taker and
Stone quarrying
Compare Textor.
There are
the
entries on
the Calderdale Companion
for people with the surname Dexter.
A steward or treasurer
To some extent, Dissenters were tradesmen and workers of the lower
class.
In the 18th century, Dissenters were excluded from membership of
certain bodies, for example, they could not be
a student at Oxford & Cambridge,
a Magistrate,
or
a Member of Parliament.
See
Baptists,
Congregationalists,
Methodists and
Unitarians
The dogs might be attracted by the tails of foxes, and other
animals – which were killed in order to collect a bounty – and nailed
to the church door.
Someone who makes or deals in dry chemicals, such as dyes and colours
for the textile industry
Question:
Is this the same as
a drysalter?
Dataller Ref 298-75 Delver Ref 298-57 Devil minder Ref 298-5 Devil worker Ref 298-6 Deviller Ref 298-68 Dexter Ref 298-24 Dispensatore Ref 298-1049 Dissenter Ref 298-2569
Dog whipper Ref 298-2840 Doubler Ref 298-88 Drover Ref 298-1015 Drysalter Ref 298-1059 Dryster Ref 298-34
Duler Ref 298-7 Dummerer Ref 298-2546
| E |
The name continued to be used as alderman
See
Tenter
An executrix is a female executor.
Ealdorman Ref 298-77 Engine Tenter Ref 298-2524 Executor Ref 298-1980
| F |
See
Flag Facer
Someone who deals in hides and skins – particularly sheepskins – and
other animal products which were used for making glue, and a
tradesman who prepares skins for the tanner.
See
Monger
See
Cropper
See
Stone dresser
Compare this with freeman
See
Copyholder,
Inholder and
Smallholder
Facer Ref 298-1080 Farrier Ref 298-74 Fellmonger Ref 298-2482 Feoffee Ref 298-2019 Feoffor Ref 298-2048 Feroner Ref 298-F7 Fettler Ref 298-1146 Finisher Ref 298-F6 Fixer Ref 298-1942 Flag Facer Ref 298-1077 Freedman Ref 298-1835 Freeholder Ref 298-1613 Frith man Ref 298-2017 Fuller Ref 298-42
| G |
The name turnkey was also used
The work is carried out by a garnetter.
See
Shoddy
The sons of a men titled esquire are titled gentlemen.
See
Goodwife
See
Goodman
Aka
Aegyptianus,
Zingarius,
and
Zingari.
True gypsies speak the Romany language and are believed to originate
in South Asia.
Gaoler Ref 298-69 Garnet Ref 298-38 Garthman Ref 298-G12 Gasser Ref 298-8 Gaux collector Ref 298-9 Gentleman Ref 298-324 Good brother Ref 298-2851
Goodman Ref 298-1353 Goodwife Ref 298-1354 Goux collector Ref 298-10 Grace wife Ref 298-79 Gracer Ref 298-G19 Gunsmith Ref 298-946 Gypsy Ref 298-919
| H |
See
Brush Makers and
Horn merchant
It is recorded that there were 1057 half-timers working in Halifax in
1917.
The practice became illegal in 1922.
See
Child Labour and
Factory Acts
This is also a surname in some parts of the country
In the 19th century, the term botanist might also mean
a herbalist.
Some local herbalists were
John Anderton,
Charles William Bentley,
John Bull Herbal Remedy Company,
S. Challice,
William Culpan,
Prof Fairbairn,
Samuel Fleming,
George Galloway,
Greenwood Hanson,
Henry Hanson,
Mrs Ann Helliwell,
Charles Henry Hitchin,
A. Lambert,
Walter Burns Lingard,
Jonathan Lord,
M. Ringrose and
Mrs Mary Ann Vowles
See
Hurrier
See
Badger
Later, it was a mill worker who operated a machine which laid out a
length of cloth into uniform folds of the required length
See
Hair Merchant and
Horner
See
Horn merchant and
Horner surname
It was also a general term for anyone who sold goods from a small
shop or a booth
Huggers wore a leather saddle to protect themselves.
They used a hugging ladder – a ladder with broad rungs set
close together – which made the ascent easier for the worker who
could not use his hands to steady himself as he climbed.
The task was mechanised during the 1800s, although hugging continued
until about 1870.
There were numerous accidents involving huggers and stone workers
See
Hewer,
Mines Act [1842] and
Thruster
They came below yeomen on the social scale.
See
Bordar
Haberdasher Ref 298-H34 Hair merchant Ref 298-32 Half-timer Ref 298-2852 Hawker Ref 298-995 Hellier Ref 298-H49 Henter Ref 298-H23 Herbalist Ref 298-47
Hewer Ref 298-1366 Higgler Ref 298-2471 Highwayman Ref 298-1451 Hooker Ref 298-255 Horn merchant Ref 298-33 Horner Ref 298-71 Hosier Ref 298-H35 Hostler Ref 298-1598 Huckster Ref 298-2513 Hugger Ref 298-1280 Hurrier Ref 298-1050
Husbandman Ref 298-1574 Hush-seller Ref 298-2489
| I |
Impropriator Ref 298-I15 Ingomon Ref 298-1199 Inholder Ref 298-1213
| J |
It is also an occupational surname mentioned around 1368, and was
common in Stainland
The name may be derived from the German Jæger, a type of
pony which was used as a packhorse.
See
Ailsa O'Fusses
Typically, he travelled widely and worked away from home, and would
have completed his apprenticeship but was not yet a master
of his trade.
Journeymen were members of a guild
Jacksmith Ref 298-943 Jagger Ref 298-2001 Journeyman Ref 298-2335
| K |
King's archer Ref 298-1330 Kneller Ref 298-K3
| L |
See
Laik
See
Lister
In many online Census returns, this is wrongly transcribed as Loom
turner
Laiker Ref 298-L23 Lamiger Ref 298-L30 Lanternist Ref 298-73 Lardner Ref 298-11 Lavender Ref 298-L17 Lecturer Ref 298-L33 Limiter Ref 298-L27 Lister Ref 298-315 Little Maker Ref 298-2293 Loom tuner Ref 298-83 Loom turner Ref 298-85 Lorimer Ref 298-1206
| M |
In the 1830s, representatives from Toronto came to England to recruit
stone masons and market gardeners which were in great demand in
Canada.
Many local workers emigrated about this time.
There were many local people involved in gardening and market
gardening – see Local Gardening & Horticulture
See
Journeyman
In several cases, the master-taker was also the local
innkeeper, and would pay the wages to his delvers in his own inn,
ensuring that a proportion of their earnings was quickly returned to
him!
See
Chapman and
Halifax Act [1555]
See
Gossip,
Grace wife,
Monthly Nurse,
Wet nurse and
Wiseman / Wisewoman
The word originally meant someone from Milan, and later it can
to mean someone who sold fancy goods from Milan
Machine-breaker Ref 298-M40 Mantua maker Ref 298-12 Market gardener Ref 298-M44 Master Ref 298-2800 Master-taker Ref 298-493 Melder Ref 298-M20 Mender Ref 298-276 Mercer Ref 298-13 Mercury woman Ref 298-M30 Messor Ref 298-M19 Middle man Ref 298-1270 Middleman Ref 298-765 Midwife Ref 298-64 Milliner Ref 298-M11 Milner Ref 298-M16 Misegatherer Ref 298-M21 Monger Ref 298-1011 Monthly Nurse Ref 298-63
| N |
Many navvies were Irish migrants.
Navvy Ref 298-1449
| O |
The name was also used for someone who maintains and tunes the looms.
The name tackler is used in Lancashire.
See
Halifax & District Power Loom Overlookers' Society and
Powerloom Overlookers' Club, Todmorden
Ordinary keeper Ref 298-O8 Ostler Ref 298-O1 Overlooker Ref 298-224
| P |
The name comes from the French palisse meaning a pale
or a fence.
This and associated words are often corrupted to palace
See
Parker Surname
The National Passive Resistance Movement was formed in 1902 by
the Baptist Minister
John Clifford.
There was considerable opposition in February 1904, when non-payment
resulted in seizure of their goods and possesions to the value of the
rate and the costs.
On 23rd June 1905, there was a Passive Resisters'
Demonstration in Halifax with a speech by the Rev
A. T. Guttery.
In 1906, over 170 passive resisters were imprisoned at Wakefield.
See
Rev Roger Briggs,
Harold Chapman,
Rev William Lawrence,
James Edward Whiteley and
Rev John Wilkinson
See
Overseer of the Poor and
Roundsman
Later, it was any workman involved in paving paths and roads.
See
Setter
See
Police
A textile worker who joins any broken threads and feeds them into the
machines during the processes of slubbing, scribbling, carding
and spinning.
The intricate task was often performed by women or child workers.
See
Mule piecer and
Piece worker
An official who was responsible for rounding up and impounding stray
and wandering animals and cattle.
The animals were impounded in a pound or pinfold.
See
Culler,
Hayward,
Neatherd and
Pinder
Palisser Ref 298-2541 Palliard Ref 298-1298 Palmer Ref 298-P24 Pardoner Ref 298-P57 Parker Ref 298-43 Passive Resister Ref 298-1087 Pauper Ref 298-1138 Pavior Ref 298-P19 Paviour Ref 298-1057 Pawnbroker Ref 298-P14 Peeler Ref 298-P16 percher Ref 298-14 Pew-opener Ref 298-2713 Piece Worker Ref 298-92 Piecener Ref 298-86 Piecer Ref 298-211 Pikeman Ref 298-P55
Pinder Ref 298-1958 Pistor Ref 298-1047 Plug-drawer Ref 298-P48 Poulterer Ref 298-P29 Powler Ref 298-1012 Preemer Ref 298-P25
Pretender Ref 298-P5 Prigger Ref 298-P12 Proctor Ref 298-P30 Puddler Ref 298-36
| R |
He was responsible for the maintenance of the chancel which was his
private part of the church.
In his absence, the vicar deputised for the rector.
There is now no difference between a vicar and a rector.
A curate is an assistant to the rector
Question:
Does anyone know what the job entailed?
See
Parish Relief
Rag & bone man Ref 298-R21 Reaver Ref 298-R2 Recorder Ref 298-R10 Rector Ref 298-1611 Reducer Ref 298-40
a reducer in a worsted factory
Relief innkeeper Ref 298-58
Relieving Officer Ref 298-130 Remittance man Ref 298-1228
Riddler Ref 298-R14 Ring spinner Ref 298-94 Ruffler Ref 298-2498
| S |
By 1817, 1,170 croppers were out of work in Yorkshire;
1,445 were employed part-time;
763 were employed full-time.
Also a man who sheared sheep
See
Mercer and
Silk industry
See
Silk warper
See
Silk thrower
See
Copyholder
See
Blacksmith,
Brownsmith,
Gunsmith,
Jacksmith,
Smithy,
Sucksmith and
Whitesmith
See
Flag Facer
This was distinct from a stone delver who worked in a open quarry
This may simply to dry the material, or, in some cases, to expose it
to sulphur fumes, or to produce a special surface effect.
The work was done by a stover
See
Smith and
Sucksmith surname
Saltpetre man Ref 298-S37 Sawyer Ref 298-1029 Scavenger Ref 298-26 Scrivener Ref 298-S60 scutcher Ref 298-15 Scutiger Ref 298-1821 Serjeant Ref 298-S87 Setter Ref 298-50 Shearman Ref 298-2698
Sherman Ref 298-2587 Silk dresser Ref 298-51 Silk mercer Ref 298-52 Silk thrower Ref 298-54 Silk warper Ref 298-53 Singer Ref 298-1083
Pronunciation:
Singer rhymes with ginger
Sister Ref 298-S31 Skiver Ref 298-25 Slop tailor Ref 298-941 Slopseller Ref 298-S88 Smallholder Ref 298-2749 Smith Ref 298-945 Socman Ref 298-1314 Sojourner Ref 298-S13 Spencer Ref 298-S8 Spinner Ref 298-16 Squatter Ref 298-S34 Stationer Ref 298-91 Stay-Maker Ref 298-62 Stone Dresser Ref 298-41 Stone miner Ref 298-56 Stover Ref 298-49
Stravaiger Ref 298-S23 Strawman Ref 298-S22 Stuff Merchant Ref 298-17 Sucksmith Ref 298-948 Summoner Ref 298-S76 Surgeon Ref 298-37 Sutler Ref 298-S67
| T |
See
Chandler
See
Back-tenter,
Engine tenter and
Tenter frame
A testatrix is a woman who writes a will
A tierer was employed to spread a fresh surface of colour on
the printer's pad each time he used it to print calico
See
Smith
the bottles were re-used,
the rags were sold to makers of shoddy
and the bones were sold on to glue-making businesses
See
Cooper
A Tyler is a Doorkeeper or Guard at the Lodge
Tallow chandler Ref 298-2120 Tallyman Ref 298-T14 Teamer Ref 298-985 Temple maker Ref 298-95
Tenter Ref 298-1 Territorial Ref 298-18 Testator Ref 298-2227 Textor Ref 298-1173 Thief-taker Ref 298-T65 Thrower Ref 298-19 Thruster Ref 298-1547
Thumper Ref 298-T2 Tickneyman Ref 298-T68 Tierer Ref 298-76
Tilloter Ref 298-59 Tinker Ref 298-T52 Tinsmith Ref 298-65 Tippler Ref 298-T16 Tithingman Ref 298-35 Todhunter Ref 298-T67 Totter Ref 298-97 Town husband Ref 298-1632 Trammer Ref 298-926 Trampler Ref 298-T64 Tranqueter Ref 298-T13 Translator Ref 298-T66 Tranter Ref 298-T62 Trencherman Ref 298-21 Troacher Ref 298-T61 Tueler Ref 298-31 Tuler Ref 298-30 Turnkey Ref 298-70 Tutor Ref 298-2567 Twister-in Ref 298-66 Tyler Ref 298-762
| U |
At one point, the ullnagers increased the tax, and a number of
Halifax clothiers – refusing to pay – sold their cloth unsealed;
the ullnager attempted to seize the goods, but the clothiers won the
subsequent court case.
The records are held as Ullnagers' Accounts or Ullnagers'
Rolls.
See
Narrow cloth
At Heath Grammar School, the
Usher
had similar duties to the Headmaster, but received only half the
salary.
Thomas Preston
was Usher – or Ludimagister – at Heath Grammar School
[1671]
Ullnager Ref 298-80 Usher Ref 298-383
| V |
Vagrant Ref 298-22 Vat man Ref 298-933 Venetor Ref 298-V8 Verderer Ref 298-2782 Verger Ref 298-V12
| W |
See
Enclosures
See
Warner
The male form is Webb.
He took custody of, and was responsible for, goods delivered to the
wharf.
Typically, he had an office on the wharf or dock, and was responsible
for day-to-day activities including slipways, keeping tide tables and
resolving disputes.
The etymology is probably Elizabethan-era English.
The final 2 syllables are pronounced as in ginger not as
in finger.
See
Calder House, Sowerby Bridge and
Wharf House, Sowerby Bridge
See
Brightsmith,
Brownsmith and
Smith
See
Cheese winder and
Cone winder
A thick wire drawer produced wire of a greater thickness
Anyone who combs the raw wool during the making of cloth.
St Blaise is the patron St of woolcombers.
In 1853, a letter to the Reynold's Newspaper reported that
See
Bishop Blaise
Henry VIII abolished the practice.
See
Halifax Act [1555] and
Woolshops
A single fleece comprised many different staples and grades of
wool.
The staples of wool were sorted according to quality, colour, length
and fineness.
See
Huntriss family of Halifax,
Wooldriving and
Woolshops
This was a lowly-paid position, but had considerable responsibility
and prestige in the community
Walker Ref 298-44 Waller Ref 298-W1 Warper Ref 298-1242 Warrener Ref 298-39 Webster Ref 298-458 Wharfinger Ref 298-1207
Whitesmith Ref 298-W39 Whitster Ref 298-936 Willeyer Ref 298-55 Winder Ref 298-28 Wire drawer Ref 298-89 Wiseman / Wisewoman Ref 298-81 Woolchapman Ref 298-W12 Woolcomber Ref 298-230
the woolcombers of Halifax and its district number about 10,000, with
their wives and children, making a population of nearly 30,000
dependent in that particular branch of labour.
They are in great distress, but the mill owners are making colossal
fortunes
Wooldriver Ref 298-84 Woolsorter Ref 298-466 Woolstapler Ref 298-188
Workhouse Master Ref 298-1961
| Y |
See
Journeyman
Some clothiers were also weavers and producers of cloth, and some
were merchants.
John Royds was one of the wealthiest clothiers in the
district.
Under the Weavers' Act [1555], clothiers in country districts
were forbidden to keep more than one loom, and woollen weavers were
forbidden to keep more than two looms.
Many clothiers became very prosperous, and many were Quakers.
As the export trade increased through Hull, many local
clothiers moved from Halifax to live at the port.
In the 16th century, John Winchcombe – known as Jack of
Newbury – was probably the most famous clothier in England.
More recently, the term clothier has been used to refer to a
tailor, or a retailer of mechanically produced cloth.
See
Clothier's Seal,
Little maker and
Ullnager
Yagger Ref 298-934 Yardman Ref 298-937 Yearman Ref 298-2767 Yeoman clothier Ref 298-2295
Page Ref: MMJ84
|
||
| site search by freefind |