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".

List Lancashire RegC	Bolton RegD/PLU	Bolton Eastern Bolton Western Edgeworth Farnworth Great Bolton and Lever Halliwell Horwich Little Bolton Sharples South West Bolton Tonge Turton West Houghton

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	385	17
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	53	5
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	54	-
Police	176	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	84	12
Other Local or County Official	18	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	37	9
Army Officer (effective/retired)	-	9
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	10	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	5	-
Army Pensioner	17	-
Seaman, R.N.	1	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	2	-
Navy Pensioner	2	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	1,030	770
Clergymen (Established Church)	44	-
Roman Catholic Priest	13	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	43	2
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	7	2
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	48
Theological Student	6	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	39	4
Barrister, Solicitor	59	-
Law Student	3	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	91	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	51	1
Dentist	35	-
Medical Student, Assistant	24	-
Midwife	-	9
Subordinate Medical Service	11	100
Schoolmaster	271	477
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	10	57
School Service, and others connected with teaching	20	4
Author, Editor, Journalist	19	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	3	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	10	-
Civil Engineer	27	-
Mining Engineer	16	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	37	-
Painter (artist)	14	5
Engraver (artist)	6	-
Sculptor	1	-
Architect	49	-
Musician, Music Master	60	45
Art Student	12	2
Photographer	15	4
Actor	16	8
Art, Music, Theatre Service	1	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	5	2
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	12	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	593	6,913
Domestic Coachman, Groom	161	-
Domestic Gardener	249	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	76	5,896
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	3	3
Inn, Hotel Servant	69	138
College, Club Service	10	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	4	25
Cook (not domestic)	1	4
Charwoman	6	445
Washing and Bathing Service	11	388
Hospital and Institution Service	2	14
Others engaged in Service	1	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,540	41
Merchant	3	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	145	9
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	46	1
Accountant	33	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	8	9
Commercial Traveller	133	1
Commercial Clerk	984	19
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	2	-
Bank Service	55	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	2	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	129	2
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	2,617	26
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	131	-
Railway Guard	55	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	112	1
Other Railway Officials and Servants	525	1
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	12	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	111	1
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	1,232	5
Tramway Companies' Service	34	-
Inland Navigation Service	6	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	34	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	2	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	13	-
Ship Steward, Cook	1	-
Boatman on Seas	1	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	1	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	95	13
Meter, Weigher	6	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	228	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	18	4
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	1,565	148
Farmer, Grazier	589	47
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	202	-
Farm Bailiff	22	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	614	100
Shepherd	2	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	2	-
Woodman	1	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	5	-
Gardener (not domestic)	128	1
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	158	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	4	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	103	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	28	1
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	10	-
Drover	2	-
Gamekeeper	9	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	1	-
Vermin Destroyer	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	335	36
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	42	5
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	8	3
Bookbinder	27	18
Printer	207	2
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	39	8
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	12	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	2,411	189
Engine, Machine Maker	307	3
Millwright	252	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	537	1
Boiler Maker	172	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	964	182
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	5	-
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	8	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	16	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	4	-
File Maker	23	-
Saw Maker	2	-
Pin Maker	-	1
Domestic Implement Maker	1	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	59	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	4	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	22	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	14	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	1	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	4	-
Type Cutter, Founder	1	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	11	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	1	2
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	1	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	4,141	44
Builder	53	-
Carpenter, Joiner	1,260	2
Bricklayer	568	-
Mason	688	2
Slater, Tiler	137	1
Plasterer, Whitewasher	146	1
Paperhanger	9	-
Plumber	229	1
Painter, Glazier	640	2
Cabinet Maker	221	14
French Polisher	26	6
Furniture Broker, Dealer	31	9
Locksmith, Bellhanger	15	-
Gas Fitter	55	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	15	2
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	15	3
Wood Carver	3	-
Carver, Gilder	25	1
Dealer in Works of Art	3	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	2	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	356	1
Coachmaker	74	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	1	-
Wheelwright	220	1
Others	8	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	53	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	22	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	19	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	2	-
Sail Maker	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	230	4
Dye, Paint Manufacture	10	-
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	2	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	1	-
Chemist, Druggist	92	3
Manufacturing Chemist	98	1
Alkali Manufacture	23	-
Drysalter	4	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	84	78
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	81	77
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	3	1
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	2,670	779
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	179	52
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	7	59
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	13	14
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Brewer	164	4
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	267	58
Cellarman	6	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	14	2
Milkseller, Dairyman	25	3
Cheesemonger, Butterman	3	1
Butcher, Meat Salesman	445	41
Provision Curer, Dealer	220	157
Poulterer, Game Dealer	6	1
Fishmonger	59	27
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	32	5
Corn Miller	40	1
Baker	222	30
Confectioner, Pastrycook	76	90
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	152	40
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	2	-
Sugar Refiner	7	2
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	696	188
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	33	1
Others Dealing in Food	1	3
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	13,567	20,877
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	21	20
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	3	-
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	3	12
Blanket Manufacture	5	28
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	7	1
Others	1	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	96	530
Silk Dyer, Printer	3	1
Silk Merchant, Dealer	13	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	9,488	17,861
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	1,976	648
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	224	17
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	9	12
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	1	1
Fustian Manufacturer, Dealer	8	12
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	74	76
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	29	333
[Others]	1	3
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	1	2
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	58	3
Mat Maker, Seller	1	-
Net Maker	1	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	1	3
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	3	-
Weaver (undefined)	48	175
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	686	311
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	293	449
Felt Manufacture	1	-
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	2	4
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	270	112
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	7	26
Trimming Maker, Dealer	3	1
Embroiderer	-	16
Others	230	220
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	1,345	1,745
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	25	2
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	6
Tailor	478	72
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	9	1,381
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	16	214
Hosiery Manufacture	-	3
Hosier, Haberdasher	10	6
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	363	32
Patten, Clog Maker	366	3
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	65	3
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	9	10
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	4	13
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	306	25
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	14	1
Soap Boiler, Maker	2	-
Manure Manufacture	1	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Comb Maker	3	-
Others	2	-
Furrier, Skinner	5	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	81	-
Currier	105	3
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	16	1
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	75	19
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	685	233
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	6	-
Oil and Colourman	3	-
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	1	-
Japanner	-	1
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	5	4
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	10	3
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	79	3
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	20	1
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	51	-
Sawyer	86	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	8	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	53	1
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	44	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	6	-
Paper Manufacture	271	154
Stationer, Law Stationer	24	15
Card, Pattern Card Maker	1	-
Paper Stainer	1	-
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	8	45
Ticket, Label Writer	-	6
Others	8	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	12,890	103
Coal Miner	6,625	35
Ironstone Miner	1	-
Lead Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	13	7
Mine Service	60	1
Coal Merchant	164	11
Coalheaver	49	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	15	-
Gas Works Service	147	1
Stone Quarrier	285	1
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	20	2
Slate Worker, Dealer	3	-
Limeburner	7	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	10	1
Well Sinker, Borer	9	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	366	7
Paviour	90	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	4	-
Road Labourer	55	-
Railway Contractor	4	-
Platelayer	98	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	148	1
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	43	1
Glass Manufacture	42	1
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	27	12
Salt Maker, Dealer	1	-
Waterworks Service	29	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	18	2
Others	1	-
[Iron Manufacture]	3,296	7
[Steel Manufacture]	65	-
Blacksmith	685	2
Whitesmith	26	-
Nail Manufacture	12	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	65	6
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	77	1
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	3	-
[Coppersmith]	4	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	146	2
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	15	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	113	1
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	-	1
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	14	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	26	-
Others	7	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	4,082	568
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	128	220
Pawnbroker	87	9
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	139	98
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	59	3
Contractor (undefined)	18	-
General Labourer	2,338	8
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	895	11
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	301	52
Apprentice (undefined)	5	1
Factory Labourer (undefined)	94	132
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	18	34
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	69	7
Town Drainage Service	13	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	22	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	12	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	22	7
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	496	4,142
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	496	4,142
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	190	21,522
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	34	39
[Blank field, or illegible]	156	21,483

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".

Click on the triangles for all about a particular number.

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.)

JISC Portsmouth Back to top

• ©2009-2024 University of Portsmouth and others
• About this site
• Expert search
• Web design by Headscape