What is this???

[JenB]

1871 census, RG10/1680/125/26 - not much help -

Still in Harwich - it looks like 'continental labour' (in common with another on the same page).

[JenB]

An 1861 occupation search turns up several other men in nearby Harwich whose occupation was 'stone dredgerman'.

[stanmapstone]

Cement stone, or coprolite, dredging was carried out in the Harwich area.
This had been going on at least since the 1850s when many men described themselves as cement stone dredgers and loaders. See http://bernardoconnor.org.uk/Coprolites/Suffcops/SHOTLEY.htm

Stan

[derek4gramps]

My money's on stone dredger!!
in where born the D in dovercourt looks the same.

regards Derek

[stanmapstone]

Essex Lent Assize. John Mowtell, stone dredger, was charged with stealing half a ton of cement stone, at Harwich, the property of the Board of Ordnance........ he had an iron crome used for picking up the stone
There were similar indictments against three other men "The Judge, addressing them said......Outside the low water-mark they were quite at liberty to dredge for stone......"
The Essex Standard, and General Advertiser for the Eastern Counties (Colchester, England), Friday, March 10, 1854; Issue 1212. 19th Century British Library Newspapers: Part II.

Stan

[Pels.]

Can't believe I've done this just to prove it's a 'D' !! 

The first from the left, is the D in Dredger. The second is the D in Dovercourt.

The third is a combination of the first one with the second layered on top at 50% opacity.
Slight manipulation due to the middle one being slightly rounder.

[JenB]

Can't believe I've done this just to prove it's a 'D' !! 

To my mind there's no need any more to prove it 

I'm in no doubt it's a 'd' and that the occupation is stone dredger.

[stanmapstone]

Just to confirm everything I've posted   

Harwich St Nicholas  District 5  RG9  Piece1094 Folio 108  Page 31
Stan

[Gadget]

3 pages - I think it's clear that it's Stone Dredger