Help with wording

[fossey]

I have a Robert Romans death in 1821.  I am not sure it is the right person, but want to know what the wording is after in the first column, Robert Romans Merchant son of Robert and Ann Romans (then the next word I cant understand.  If it is the right person his mother was mentioned in the same page.

I cant attach the document.  Hope this link works

https://mediasvc.ancestry.co.uk/v2/image/namespaces/1093/media/e6342646-6dc2-4471-ba9b-ce5baf6f7b0e.jpg?client=trees-mediaservice&imageQuality=hq

thanks
Angela

[angelfish58]

It looks like yeoman.

[ShaunJ]

Agree - yeoman

[feno]

I agree,Yeoman,love the profession of  the second name on the list, MOLE CATCHER.Feno

[fossey]

Thanks what is Yeoman, is that a profession?  Never heard of it, still not sure if it is the right person as never heard of him being a merchant, presume that is a navy man

Thanks
Angela

[Mabel Bagshawe]

No - a merchant is just someone who buys and sells stuff

[ShaunJ]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeoman

[ShaunJ]

I would take Yeoman as suggesting someone who farmed a small piece of land for his own benefit. A smallholder.

[Andrew Tarr]

Thanks what is Yeoman, is that a profession?  Never heard of it, still not sure if it is the right person as never heard of him being a merchant, presume that is a navy man

A yeoman was a cut or two above Ag.Labs in having a stake in the farm where he lived, usually as a tenant or leaseholder.  Ag.Labs were typically hired each autumn and often had to move their family to a different tied cottage.
My 3g-grandfather was a yeoman farmer in Devon and accumulated several hundred pounds which he bequeathed to several descendants in his 1850 will.