Occupation 1861 - Outfilter?

[Lucky P]

Hi,

Came across this occupation on 1861 census - Beer House Keeper & what looks like Outfilter or Outfitter...and was left wondering what an Outfilter/Outfitter did.

Have found a few posts on here about Beer House keepers which made for interesting reading, but can't find any like Outfilter/Outfitter on the few occupations websites I found. I thought of Outfitter as maybe someone like a tailor... but on the 1851 census the same guy gives his occupation as 'Publican & Coal Miner'

Is there anyone out there who has spotted a profession like this before?

Thanks for any help you can offer 

Lucky

[old rowley]

hi lucky,

can not find an outfilter as an occupation but according to Colin Waters in "A dictionary of old trades, titles and occupations" an "Outfitter" was a person who fitted out the empty hulks of a ship after it was built.

And from the Britannic World Language edition of the Oxford Dictionary (1962) an "Outfitter" was a dealer in outfits for travelling, athletic sports etc.

hope that this is of some help

old rowley

[Headbanger Veron]

Hi lucky

I have a gg uncle who was a "tailor and outfitter" - ran the local draper's shop. I've never heard of an outfilter. Looks as if your man was a jack of all trades!

Veron 

[Lucky P]

Thanks Old Rowley & Veron,

The ship link is interesting as he was in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Don't know why but I can't see him as a tailor or anything like, seems too 'up-market' a profession for any of my lot 

Thanks again for your input, it's all interesting stuff that adds to the mystery of our ancestor's lives 

Lucky

[Emmeline]

Hello Lucky - It certainly looks like Outfilter. Perhaps that is  it - he simply  filtered out anything unsuitable in the brown liquid