Oldtime Occupations

Sources:

Contributed to the Orange Co. (NY) Gen. Soc.

by Dan Burrows

 dburrows1@juno.com
Marc (Mosher)'s Links
His link :A History of Jefferson County (NY) Region
Page 3 contains a list of occupations.
 http://mail.imcnet.net/~lectrich
The following list includes occupations of hundreds of years ago
as well as the past two centuries.   For most recent information on
contemporary occupations, go to this webiste:
     Dictionary of Occupational Titles Index,  
www.immigration-usa.com/dot_index.html
Then Now
Accomptant Accountant
Almoner One who donated to the needy
Amanuensis Secretary; stenographer
Aquarius Waterman
Artificer Soldier mechanic
Aurifaber Goldsmith
Avenator Hay and Forage Merchant
Bailie Bailiff
Barker Tanner
Baxter Baker
Belhoste Tavern keeper
Belleyetere Bellfounder
Bever Beverage maker
Blockmaker One who crafted pulleys
Bluestocking Authoress
Boniface Inn Keeper
Bowyer Bow maker
Brasiler Dyer
Brazier Brass worker
Brewster Beer manufacturer
Brightsmith Metal worker
Burgonmaster Mayor
Burneman Carrier of barm or water for brewers
Cardmaker Maker of cards for combing wool
Carnifex Butcher
Castor Hat maker
Caulker One who fills cracks in ships' seams
Chaisemaker Carriage maker
Chaloner Shalloon dealer, material made in Chalons
Chandler Also, grocery retailer; ship supplier
Chandler Dealer; trader who makes/sells candles
Chapman Merchant
Chiffonnier Wig maker
Chirugion Surgeon; Apothecary
Cissor Tailor
Clark Clerk
Clerk Clergyman; cleric
Clicker Boot eyelet hole maker w/ machine that clicked.
Clicker Salesman's servant who greet customers
Cohen Priest
Collier Coal miner
Colporteur Book peddler
Cooper Barrel maker
Cordwainer Shoemaker 
Corvisor Shoemaker; originally, in Cordovan leather
Costermonger Fruit/vegetable peddler
Cotiler Cutler
Crocker Potter
Crowner Coroner
Crutiner Election judge
Currier Horse comber
Currier Tanner of leather
Daunsel Gentleman in waiting; groom or squire
Dexter Dyer
Disher Ditcher
Docker Stevedore; dock worker
Draper Dry Goods dealer
Drayman Driver of a long, strong cart
w/o fixed sides built for heavy loads
Drover Cattle or sheep driver
Dubber Cloth dubber, who raises nap of the cloth
Dudder Probably a maker of coarse cloaks
Duffer Peddler
Elymaker Oil maker
Ewer Waterman
Faber Smith
Factor Agent Merchant who works on commission
Factor Agent Scottish steward or bailiff of an estate
Faluner Confectioner
Farrier Blacksmith
Faulkner Falconer
Fellmonger Hair remover in prep for leather making
Fleshewer Butcher
Fletcher Bow/arrow maker
Frereman Servant of the Friars
Fuller One who cleans/finishes cloth
Furber Furbisher of armor
Furner Baker
Gaoler Jailer
Garcifer Groom; attendant
Garlekmonger Garlic dealer
Glassewright Glass maker/ repairman
Glazier Window glassman
Gynour Engineer
Hacker Hoe maker
Hamberghmaker Horse collar maker
Harper Musician
Hatcheler One who combs out/cards flax
Haymonger Hay dealer
Hayward Fence keeper
Hetheleder Provider of heather for fuel
Higgles Itinerant peddler
Hillier Roof tiler
Hind Farm laborer
Holster Horse groomer, often at inns
Hooker Reaper
Hooper Hoop maker for casks; barrels
Hosteler Innkeeper
Huckster Small ware salesman
Husbandman Farmer who cultivates land
Husbandman Tenant farmer
Jagger Fish peddler
Joiner Skilled carpenter
Journeyman One hired by the day
who has served his apprenticeship
Keeler Bargemam
Kempster Wool comber
Kepegest Innkeeper
Lardner Cupboard keeper
Latouner Latten worker, a metal resembling brass
Lavendar Washer woman
Lederer Leather maker
Leech Physician
Limner Draughtsman or artist
Lokeer Locksmith
Longshoreman Stevedore
Lorimer Bridlemaker
Lormer Maker of horse gear
Malender Farmer 
Maltster Brewer
Manciple Steward
Mason Bricklayer
Mercator Merchant
Mintmaster Currency issuer
Molendinar Miller
Monger Seller of goods
Muleskinner Teamster
Mustarder Grower, grinder of mustard
Nailor Nail maker
Neatherder Cow herder
Nedder Needle maker
Ordinary Keeper Innskeeper with fixed prices
Paneler Saddler
Pannar Clothier, draper
Pannebeter Pan-hammerer or perhaps cloth driver
Pardoner One licensed to sell Papal Indulgences
Parmentor Probably a parchment maker or tailor
pattenmaker
Pattern Maker Maker of a clog shod w/ iron ring. 
Clog was wooden pole w/ pattern cut in end.
Pellipar Skinner
Peregrinator Itinerant wanderer
Peruker Wig maker
Pettifogger Shyster lawyer
Pictor Painter
Pigman Crockery dealer
Pinder Keeper of the Pound or Pinfold
Piscar Fishmonger
Piscator Fisherman
Pistor Miller or Baker
Plomer Plumber
Plumber Roofed w/ lead or set lead frames in windows
Porter Door keeper
Puddler Wrought iron worker
Pynner Pin maker
Quarrier   Quarry worker
Ripper Fish seller
Roper Rope maker
Roper Rope; net maker
Saddler Saddler maker/repairer
Saferman One who grows saffron
Samitere Maker of a kind of heavy silk
Sauntere probably a salt maker
Sausere Salter
Sawbones Physician
Sawyer Carpenter
Schumaker Shoemaker
Scribler Worthless author
Scrivener Professional writer
Seinter Girdle maker
Seler Sadder
Sempster Seamstress
Serviens Sergeant
Sheather Scabbard maker
Sherman One who raised surface of woolen cloth
then sheared it to a smooth surface.
Shrieve Sheriff
Sifker Sievemaker
Silkmaker spinster Female spinner
Silkmaker throster Male spinner
Slater Roofer
Sleymaker Maker of instrument to part threads in weaving
Slopseller Clothes salesman
Snobscat Shoe repairer
Soper Soapmaker
Sorter Tailor
Spicer Grocer
Spinster Woman who spins; unmarried woman
Spittleman Hospital attendant
Spurrer Spur maker
Squire Country gentleman; farm owner; justice of peace
Stabler Ostler
Stawson probably a stationer
Stuff gownsman Junior barrister
Sugarer Dealer in sugar
Sumner Summoner or Apparitor
Supercargo Merchant ship officer charged w/ commerical concerns
Sutor Shoemaker; cobbler
Swordcutter Smith who fashioned swords
Tamster Team driver for hauling
Tanner Hide maker (one who tans hides into leather)
Tapley One who puts tap in the ale cask
Tasker Reaper
Teinter Dyer
Textor Weaver
Thatcher Roofer
Tide waiter Customs inspector
Tinctor Dyer or possibly a painter
Tinker Itinerant pot/pan seller
Tipstaff Policeman
Travers Toll bridge collector
Tucker Cloth goods cleaner
Turner Spindle maker
Upholder   Upholsterer; also a seller of secondhand goods
Venator Huntsman
Victualer Tavern keeper, often for military serviceman
Vineroon   Wine grower
Vintner Wine merchant
Vulcan Blacksmith
Wagoner Teamster not for hire
Wainwright Wagon maker
Waiter Customs official
Walker Cloth trampler or cleaner
Waterman Boatman who plies for hire
Webster Loom operator
Wharfinger Wharf owner
Wheelwright Wheel maker; repairer
Whitersmith Tinsmith
Whiteswing Street sweeper
Whitster Cloth bleacher
Whittawer Preparer of white leather
Wright Construction worker
Yeoman Farmer who owns own land
 

 

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