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Occupations in census
| Profile | Posted by | Options | Post Date |
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Dizzy | Report | 9 May 2007 14:43 |
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Can anyone tell me what a 'Penman' might be? This person was a School Master in 1841, an auctioneers Porter in 1851 and a 'Penman' in 1861 in St Pancras so it's nothing to do with farming. A strange change of carreer from School Master to Porter but I am certain it is the same person. Any ideas? |
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imp | Report | 9 May 2007 14:56 |
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It could be what we would call a 'Clerk' - one of mine is a 'Bookkeeper Penman' and he worked in Insurance Offices as a Clerk. Gail. |
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Honey | Report | 9 May 2007 14:57 |
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Can you give the name or/and reference for the census you refer to so we can have a look? |
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Janet in Yorkshire | Report | 9 May 2007 14:58 |
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Well schoolteachers were paid a pittance in the 1840's -often not enough to support a wife and family. Could penman be a professional letter-writer? i.e someone who charged pennies for writing letters for others. I assume he could read and write, having been a schoolmaster. Jay |
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imp | Report | 9 May 2007 14:58 |
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I have just found a pocket book for 'Alphabets for the ornamental penmen, engravers, signwriters and draughtsman'. 1946, but the meaning must be similar. Gail. |
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Honey | Report | 9 May 2007 14:59 |
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Google and it says that pen man and scribe are informal terms for journalists |
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Dizzy | Report | 9 May 2007 15:02 |
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Source Citation: Class: RG9; Piece: 117; Folio: 8; Page: 10; GSU roll: 542576. I guessed it might be to do with writing. I had no idea that school Masters were badly paid in 1840's! It would make sense that he changed jobs as he had 9 children! |
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Dizzy | Report | 9 May 2007 15:07 |
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Now I know where my love of Caligraphy comes from!! :) |
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