Help needed please

[AliceO]

Could someone please help decipher this occupation.

Thanks, AliceO

[HeatherLynne]

Well I'm pretty sure the second word is Builder but the first has me stumped.  Can you post a little more so we can see how the writer forms different letters please?

Heather

p.s.  doesn't really look like it, but could it be Master Builder?  How old is the person it refers to?

[candleflame]

Probably completely off beam but does the top part of the cert say Durham in which case what about a funny way of writing Organ Builder. The very famous Harrison and Harrison organ builders started in 1861 and came to Durham in 1872. They are still in Durham now. I know it doesn't actually look like organ but its what came to my mind becuase of the end part of the word- its just the front thats funny.

[AliceO]

Thanks for your replies. I'm having trouble downsizing the certificate to compare writing.
Hope this one works!

[HeatherLynne]

Thanks for posting more of the cert, although it should help loads it's still a struggle!  The first letter looks most like the 'A' of Ann in the witness's name but with the bottom of the letter not showing, the next letter could be a 'g' and I thought it might be Agric. Builder but probably not.  Candleflame's Organ Builder is a possibility but I wondered if it might be something to do with ship building as there are two shipowners on the cert?  Maybe someone local to Durham would know a dialect word/name for a type of ship that it could be?

This is really tantalising, we should be able to read it but it's still a puzzle.

Heather

[brianz]

Could the first word be "Retired??

[avm228]

I don't think I can add much to the reading of Thomas' occupation, but just in case William was prone to understating his age in later life you may want to keep this baptism in reserve (from www.familysearch.org):

Baptism, Sunderland, Durham

22 Sep 1811

William ROGERS, born 29 Dec 1807, son of Thomas ROGERS and Jane Mc MARBRIDE

(and also on the same date)

James ROGERS, born 17 Dec 1809, son of Thomas ROGERS and Jane Mc MARBRIDE

[stanmapstone]

It could be mason Builder with a long S in mason. This is an example of a directory entry.

Stan

[candleflame]

With ships and Bishopwearmouth recorded - near the sea - I don't think Durham city's organ builders- not next to the sea-  is a good suggestion- but I tried
I don't suppose you have tracked the senior family down on the 1851 census( if Thomas was still alive then) which might show an occupation?
It is very difficult handwriting to read - but then who am I to talk