1841 census - what could this be: "Sp Dealer"?

[JAP]

Prue,

Wouldn't want you to become complacent!

One lot of the Spirit Dealers I've come across came from Stirlingshire (Kippen) farm origins.  Then went to the USA (or whatever it was at the time) - who knows why.  Returned to Scotland - Glasgow - and became Spirit and Tea Dealers there (connected with the Southern Necropolis perhaps via the wife's Dad - not to mention becoming bankrupt).   Then to London ... etc.

JAP

[PrueM]

Thanks for your input everyone    It's much appreciated!

Gadget, you got me all excited there - I went and searched Scotland's People for a will for John...not a sausage   
Never mind, wouldn't want to break the habit of a lifetime and find a will for someone in my family   

Prue

[Fransmoi]

Browsing genea sites as usual at 2a.m I came upon a Harold Milne at Tynet.May be one of yours ?  It is in the Milne family history section of the Portgordon website-
http://rgu-sim.rgu.ac.uk/history/welcome.htm
Good hunting from a fellow Milne hunter.
Fransmoi


Moderator Comment:  URL modified to become a link

[PrueM]

Hi Fransmoi,
Thanks for that link, I hadn't seen that site before.  I've bookmarked it for future reference!
I'm not sure of any link at this point, but I noticed a few names in there that I have in my tree (such as Geddes) so as I get more details of my own family I might be able to tie them in.
Good luck with your own Milne searching!
 
Prue

[Doug-Mini]

I am waking up an old thread as my question is somewhat related to the OP's question.

Was it legal in the 1840s and 1850s for a woman in Scotland to be a Spirit Dealer?

Thank you in advance,
Doug

[ADP]

There is no indication in the instructions to the census enumerators that Spirit Dealers were likely to be male only. The wording on the instructions is "Add Sp. Deal. to the trade of all persons who are also engaged in vending Spirits."

In one of the other occupations, it is implied that the people are male - that is miners: "Always add the name of the Mineral in which each person is employed to the occupation in which he is engaged. If only general work add M., as "Coal M.," "Copper M.," "Iron M."". There is a distinct reference to "he".

ADP

[Doug-Mini]

Thank you. 

The person I am researching lists themselves as a Spirit Dealer in the 1841 census and the 1837 Pignot commercial directory.  In a Sasine record and a legal document in my possession the same person is listed as a Sawyer.  I have no doubt that it is the same person.  I need to keep digging to see if I can find an explanation.

Thanks again,
Doug