Vision of Britain | 1881 Census: Ages

1881 Census of England and Wales, Tables: Ages, Condition as to Marriage, Occupations and Birthplaces of people, Table 10 : " Occupations of Males and Females in the Division and its Registration Counties".

Show Barnstaple RegD/PLU table	Barnstaple SubD

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	47	2
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	17	-
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	10	-
Prison Service, &c.	1	1
Police	15	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	3	1
Other Local or County Official	1	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	19	2
Army Officer (effective/retired)	1	1
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	1	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	2	-
Army Pensioner	10	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	-	1
Navy Pensioner	5	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	123	89
Clergymen (Established Church)	8	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	8	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	1	-
Barrister, Solicitor	10	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	17	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	9	-
Dentist	3	-
Medical Student, Assistant	1	-
Subordinate Medical Service	3	19
Schoolmaster	23	51
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	2	14
School Service, and others connected with teaching	1	-
Author, Editor, Journalist	4	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Mining Engineer	1	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	1	-
Painter (artist)	3	1
Engraver (artist)	1	-
Architect	9	-
Musician, Music Master	7	4
Art Student	2	-
Photographer	5	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	3	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	49	850
Domestic Coachman, Groom	13	-
Domestic Gardener	8	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	16	692
Inn, Hotel Servant	11	20
Charwoman	-	57
Washing and Bathing Service	-	76
Hospital and Institution Service	1	5
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	107	4
Merchant	10	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	4	-
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	7	-
Accountant	11	2
Commercial Traveller	21	-
Commercial Clerk	33	1
Banker	1	-
Bank Service	14	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	6	1
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	183	1
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	9	-
Railway Guard	5	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	51	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	5	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	13	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	23	1
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	4	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	1	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	40	-
Pilot	2	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	28	-
Telegraph, Telephone Service	2	-
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	351	21
Farmer, Grazier	79	5
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	36	-
Farm Bailiff	1	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	192	16
Shepherd	5	-
Woodman	1	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	4	-
Gardener (not domestic)	33	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	56	-
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	2	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	31	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	3	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	4	-
Drover	2	-
Gamekeeper	5	-
Fisherman	9	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	47	7
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	6	4
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	-	1
Printer	40	2
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	1	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	50	4
Engine, Machine Maker	6	-
Millwright	1	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	7	-
Boiler Maker	1	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	1	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	3	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	3	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	21	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	1	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	2	1
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	2	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	1	3
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	494	11
Builder	25	-
Carpenter, Joiner	130	-
Bricklayer	4	-
Mason	135	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	2	-
Plumber	27	-
Painter, Glazier	62	-
Cabinet Maker	77	11
French Polisher	9	-
Furniture Broker, Dealer	2	-
Locksmith, Bellhanger	1	-
Gas Fitter	7	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Wood Carver	9	-
Carver, Gilder	2	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	49	1
Coachmaker	26	-
Wheelwright	8	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	15	1
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	18	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	2	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	14	-
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	2	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	14	-
Chemist, Druggist	14	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	260	84
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	37	13
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	1	11
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	1	4
Maltster	11	1
Brewer	8	-
Cellarman	3	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	12	-
Milkseller, Dairyman	9	2
Butcher, Meat Salesman	57	7
Provision Curer, Dealer	1	2
Poulterer, Game Dealer	4	1
Fishmonger	5	1
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	2	-
Corn Miller	1	-
Baker	34	10
Confectioner, Pastrycook	9	11
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	2	2
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	61	19
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	2	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	151	154
Woolstapler	4	1
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	3	4
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	1	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	2	2
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	1	1
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	66	88
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	1	2
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	1	2
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	67	50
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	4
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	173	415
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	2	-
Tailor	80	26
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	-	305
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	-	42
Hosiery Manufacture	1	-
Hosier, Haberdasher	2	1
Glover, Glove Maker	-	29
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	80	9
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	6	2
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	1	1
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	63	1
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	2	-
Manure Manufacture	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	-	1
Tanner, Fellmonger	44	-
Currier	7	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	9	-
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	63	2
Japanner	1	1
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	6	-
Thatcher	2	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	4	-
Sawyer	26	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	1	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	19	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	3	-
Paper Manufacture	-	1
Stationer, Law Stationer	1	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	163	4
Ironstone Miner	2	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	1	-
Coal Merchant	6	2
Coalheaver	2	-
Gas Works Service	1	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	2	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	4	-
Road Labourer	4	-
Railway Contractor	1	-
Platelayer	1	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	13	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	8	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	8	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	9	-
[Iron Manufacture]	17	-
Blacksmith	45	-
Whitesmith	1	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	31	1
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	6	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	-	1
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	281	31
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	13	18
Pawnbroker	-	2
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	33	7
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	4	-
General Labourer	209	-
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	6	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	14	2
Apprentice (undefined)	1	-
Factory Labourer (undefined)	1	1
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	-	1
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	6	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	6	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	57	502
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	57	502
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	21	1,382
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	3	-
[Blank field, or illegible]	18	1,382

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Notes:

The following notes to the table appeared in the original report.

1	This table is a very special case: The original Table 10 as published by Division in the 1881 census reports was limited to data for Registration Divisions, their component Registration Counties, and just those Urban Sanitary Districts with populations of over 50,000. Data presented here for counties and higher-level units are taken from the published reports, as usual, but we also include in A Vision of Britain through Time data for Registration Districts, sub-Districts and Civil Parishes which never appeared in the original reports. These were specially created for us by the History Data Service at the University of Essex and derive from the complete transcription of the individual-level Enumerators Book data coordinated by the Genealogical Society of Utah.
2	In creating these data, each occupation listed in the enumerators books has been assigned as far as possible to the relevant category used in the published reports, but some additional categories with labels in square brackets unavoidably appear. Unlike the published statistics for higher-level units, these specially-calculated data for districts and parishes include persons under 15 or over 65. For these and other reasons, no attempt has been made to ensure that county totals for the districts or parishes match the published county totals. The remaining notes are those that appeared below the original published table.
3	NOTE.--Persons returned as engaged in more than one occupation have been referred to the one that appeared to be of most importance; or if there was no difference in this respect, to the one first given by the person in his or her return. In some cases special rules have been followed: e.g. "Clergyman and Schoolmaster" in combination has always been referred to "Schoolmaster"; a Member of Parliament or Peer engaged in any branch of commerce or industry has always been referred to this latter, not to "Peer, M.P.".
4	The numbers returned under any heading include Labourers, Apprentices, and Assistants, as well as Masters, but not Clerks, Messengers, Errand boys, Porters, or Watchmen, for which occupations there are special headings. Civil, Military, and Naval Clerks, Law, Bank, Insurance, and Railway Clerks, and Government and Railway Porters, are, however, exceptions to this rule. Many young persons, being Apprentices or Assistants, have therefore been referred to occupations usually followed by adults. Women also, chiefly widows or orphans carrying on the business of their deceased husbands or fathers, will sometimes be found under occupations commonly followed by men only.
5	Persons returned as retired from any business have not been referred to that business. Inmates of workhouses have been referred to their trades, unless their age or infirmities showed that they were past work. But persons who might be supposed to be only temporarily separated from their usual employment, such as Prisoners, and Patients in General Hospitals, have been classed under their usual occupations.
6	In some cases, for convenience of space, the male designation, e.g. "Schoolmaster", alone is given, instead of "Schoolmaster, Schoolmistress".

This website does not try to provide an exact replica of the original printed census tables, which often had thousands of rows and far more columns than will fit on our web pages. Instead, we let you drill down from national totals to the most detailed data available. The column headings are those that appeared in the original printed report. The numbers presented here, which are the same ones we use to create statistical maps and graphs, come from the census table and have usually been carefully checked.

The system can only hold statistics for units listed in our administrative gazetteer, so some rows from the original table may be missing. Sometimes big low-level units, like urban parishes, were divided between more than one higher-level units, like Registration sub-Districts. This is why some pages will give a higher figure for a lower-level unit: it covers the whole of the lower-level unit, not just the part within the current higher-level unit.

Acknowledgments:

We are grateful to the following contributors. If you make use of the data in your own work, please follow any instructions given here on acknowledgment and re-use.

(1) Kevin Schurer (Department of Geography, University of Cambridge). Role: editor. Restrictions on use: the data cannot be accessed, although the Vision of Britain system may present them graphically (any other use requires the contributor's permission.)

(2) Matthew Woollard (UK Data Service, University of Essex). Role: editor. Restrictions on use: the data cannot be accessed, although the Vision of Britain system may present them graphically (any other use requires the contributor's permission.)