Most likely a commercial traveller, who sold goods, or took orders for goods, on production of samples, generally by calling on the consumers as a representative of his firm, and worked usually on a commission basis, or on a small salary and commission. Travellers usually operated in particular districts, displaying samples to prospective buyers in their shops.
In 1850's tramps called themselves travellers, the use of 'traveller' as another name for gypsies dates from about the 1960s.
Stan
That sounds right - he certainly wasn't a tramp, unless he made a big change in his life between 1871 and 1878 when he died! Thanks Stan
