Can anyone read this occupation please?

[lesleyhannah]

I can't read the occupation of Ellen Benfield in 1861 - but I'm having problems attaching the image. I keep losing my messages - will try again, but if it doesn't work, the reference is RG09; piece 17; Folio 21; page 43.

All suggestions welcome!
Thanks

[PaulineJ]

Ends in ...tress whatever it is...

[lesleyhannah]

What's puzzling is the occupation is mentioned twice. She's staying with a solicitor's family -but that may not be relevant. She does go on to be a governess.

findmypast transcribes it as preepleef - but I think they just made that up!!

[Piglet01]

Possibly - Preceptress?

Regards,   Steve ?

[Barbara F]

I think it is preceptress too.

Female teacher or principal of a school.

Barbara

[carol8353]

I was just going to say that   it not only says it's her profession but that is her relationship to the household too.

I wondered about governess,the last two kids are both down as scholars even though they are 15 and 12,and most children of that age would be out at work by then.

Carol

[lesleyhannah]

Thanks, Steve - that's brilliant! I've just looked up the meaning of preceptress - a female teacher - and it fits perfectly. I'd never have worked it out from the image.

So, thanks again. Much appreciated.
Lesley

[lesleyhannah]

And thanks to you all - you'd replied while I was typing my thanks to Steve (if I'd waited a few minutes Barbara would have saved me googling the definition!)

Lesley

[tkw]

Hello

Ellen Cranch Benfield and her sister's Emma Mary & Laura Emily Benfield were all wealthy governesses (independent wealth) who remained independent and did not marry.

Regards,
Thorby