What is the most interesting occupation in your family tree? (#1: locked)

[nora T]

lock keeper on the shropshire union canal, my husbands g,g, grandad, also one female ancestor was , school monitor. clever clogs, regards nora T

[Little Nell]

Amongst the ag. labs, coachmen, grooms, carpenters, shipwrights, caulkers, linen drapers, Royal Marine etc, there was a vicar (of Ticehurst in Sussex), a woad man in Northamptonshire, a parchment maker in Buckinghamshire area.  And way back, a Master of Horse to Henry VIII - also MP for Sussex and Gentleman of the Privy Bedchamber to Edward VI.  As an occupation, I think that should go down as keeping his head!

Nell

[Fitty]

A teazle grower would be a farmer or small holder who grew the prickly teazel plant which was used in the woollens industry to raise the nap on cloth - g-d knows why!

Have you ever felt a dried Teazel, hack?   it's rock hard and very spikey. ( and a nightmare to get rid of if you have them growing in the garden).  It was used as a hairbrush too.

[teddybear1843]

In a village in Norfolk, the Vicar tended to be a little honest in his descriptions of people and my ancestor was a fishmonger thankfully.  The Miller was "Teddy the Grinder"  One man who fathered at least a couple of bastard children was "Tom Town Bull"  The Miller's bit on the side was "Whore and Mantrap"  One chap was a "Cucumber Cutter"  The Publican was a "Beggar-Maker" etc etc.

These are all true transcripts from  a Parish Register of the late 1820's 1830's.  By the way, the Vicar described  himself as "Philosopher"

My lot were mainly Agricultural Workers in one way or another but my favourite was a Wool Comber.

Teddybear1843

[Hackstaple]

Hi Fitty - as a quite keen gardener I loath all invader plants of any kind and teazels, thistles come under that heading. But, yes - when I was a kid on a farm they grew in all the drystone walls and would stick to one's woollen clothing like mad. Imagine growing them!

[Boongie Pam]

I got a S*** Shoveller as well!  Well he is a Manure Warehouseman on his second marriage - nowadays that would be a Senior Faecal Technician I'm sure.

Other than Michael Fallen above with his poo, I have ag labs, masons, glovers, & potters (as in dealers) galore!

Nowt much else outside them either.

Pam
 
 

[nutkin]

I have a rat catcher who made enough money to open a pub called "the Dog and Rat Public House".  I guess he and his dog did okay killing vermin.

[floridagirl]

My great great grandfather was the Town Crier of Oswestry, can't find out much else about him though, but I will!!!!!!!!!
Viv
 

[Fitty]

Nutkin,  I think i've mentioned this somewhere before but my grandad was a rat catcher and he made a small fortune by coursing them.  They would take the live rats to a field then let them, go one by and bet on whos dog would catch them first.