stuff warehouseman

[skimble]

I have two ancestor's who both were occupied as Stuff Warehousemen.  One was in 1891, one in 1901.  They were both from Bradford so I'm presuming it was something to do with the wool textile industry.   But I would like to know what 'Stuff' was.

Anyone know?

Thanks.

[Josee]

Skimble
According to Rodney Hall's excellent Old Occupations List
http://rmhh.co.uk/occup/s.html

a stuff weaver wove "stuff".... a coarse cloth.

Jo

 

[skimble]

a stuff weaver wove "stuff".... a coarse cloth.

 
Thanks Jo, and thanks for the link.

[charlotteCH]

 Hi Jo and skimble, 

Was the coarse cloth woollen?  My great grandfather was, in 1891 census,  a " retired stuff merchant" in Bradford,  and that makes me think the cloth must have been woolllen.   Is that a reasonable assumption?

charlotte

[Josee]

Hi charlotte & skimble
Funnily enough on Rodney Halls list the item above "stuff weaver" is a "stuff gownsman"   apparently a junior barrister!
I wonder if this is because the fabric of their gown is rougher, 'less fine' than a senior barrister etc??
What do you think?

jo

Sorry charlotte that didn't really answer your question  but it seems reasonable to me. Think I feel a 'google' coming on!!

[skimble]

Hi Jo and Charlotte

I just assumed wool because they lived in Bradford. 

I also have a brother to one of the Stuff Warehousemen who is a Wool warehouseman - this is in the same year, 1891.  So there must have definitely been a difference between 'stuff' and 'wool'.

[skimble]

Well as yet I can't find anything by Googling Stuff Warehouseman.  However I did find another old occupations site here - http://web.ukonline.co.uk/thursday.handleigh/demography/occupations-wages-money/old-occupations/oldocc-s.htm
which says stuff is the coarse part of flax.

[Josee]

http://www.rootschat.com/links/02wi/

Not sure if this clarifies things or not..... but interesting


jo

[skimble]

Thanks Jo, interesting - it's amazing what 'stuff' can make!