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please explain the meaning of occupation
| Profile | Posted by | Options | Post Date |
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Flossie | Report | 19 Nov 2003 16:17 |
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On the 1901 census for Islington. London my G Grandfathers occupation was listed as Labourer Islington Vestry. does anyone know what this means. Thanks xx |
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Carol | Report | 19 Nov 2003 17:58 |
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As I understand it, the vestry is part of a church, the room where couples go to sign the register after the marriage service. It is probably used for other things as well. I would guess that he was probaby the cleaner or odd job man. The term labourer just means worker |
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Emma | Report | 19 Nov 2003 18:17 |
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Gillian, Islington vestry was a parish vestry which was a bit like the parish council we have now. This is from Dartford archives but would also be applicable to Islington vestry. "THE PARISH VESTRY The governing body of the parish was known as the vestry. Parishes already had the power to raise a church rate [tax], but further legislation gave them power to raise a rate to help the poor, and assist with the repair and maintenance of the highway, two areas which increased the role and importance of the parish vestry. The lord of the manor of Dartford still retained some power over the local community, but these powers were limited to holding a manorial court, which dealt with minor matters connected with landholding. Most parish vestries were open, in that any male ratepayer could attend the meetings and vote on important issues. Some parishes did not like this relatively fair and democratic system so they opted for the establishment of a select vestry, composed of local gentry, with no voting rights for ordinary local ratepayers. The vestry appointed churchwardens, the parish beadle [define], and the overseers of the poor, the surveyors of the highway, and constables." Emma. |
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Flossie | Report | 19 Nov 2003 18:28 |
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thanks girls |
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Olgiza | Report | 19 Nov 2003 19:11 |
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Gillian. Just a wild guess. Could the labourer be paid or supported by the Vestry under the powers described above. I have a similar query about a rellie who was described as "Porter (Poor Law) and I have tried all the combinations as to what that may mean cryptically and literally....of course I have no answer! Roger in Eastbourne |
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Flossie | Report | 19 Nov 2003 20:35 |
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hm its a possibility |
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Bob | Report | 19 Nov 2003 20:49 |
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Lucy, I think you probably mean a Parochial Church Council rather than a Parish Council. The fist serves that local parish church that second is the most local form of government having nothing to do with the parish church. This is a common error that I have to explain as a Parish Councillor. Bob Wood |
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