Watermen & Tailors - Cheshire

[delta59]

Found some info on Tailors but not very much, there doesn't seem to be much out there.  I just wanted info on what sort of life they led and their living conditions.

Del

[coombs]

I think many tailors worked in workshops or from home making hats. Some of them may have had their own tailoring business.

[delta59]

Thank you for that.  Yes you are right my ancestor had a business in Over Lane in Over and is mentioned in a Cheshire directory in the 1850s, however by the 1860s when his son is a tailor in Wharton they seem to have lost the business or at least I can't find it in the directories.

Del

[coombs]

Have you found them on the 1861 census? When did the father die? It could be he gave up the business or fell on hard times.

[delta59]

Hi Coombs

In 1861 he had moved to Bebington and is described as Robert Cawley Boarder Wid 69 Tailor Retired born in Over and he died sometime between 1861 & 1871 I haven't got his death details yet.

His son Thomas is living, in 1861, on Winsford Hill with 5 children and he is described as a Tailor.

Del

[coombs]

Maybe he saved up for years and lived off his own means so he gave up the business.

[coombs]

This may be him. Robert Cawley, died Dec Quarter 1861, Birkenhead, 8a 277. I notice Bebington came under Birkenhead district and this is the only Robert Cawley death 1861-1871 in the Birkenhead district.

Although a tree on Ancestry says a Robert Cawley was born 1793 in Over, and married an Ann and died in 1863.

[delta59]

I will check it out thanks.

Del

[delta59]

Phew, just checked it wasn't my tree you looked at, that would have been embarrassing if it had been mine and I had put the wrong date in.  The date sounds right, otherwise it's a big coincidence.  I will send for the DC or would they have this at the CRO I am visiting next week.

Del