Herbalist

[Cazza47]

I am trying to find James Stoneley born in 1854 in Macclesfield in the 1901 & 1911 census's, with no luck at all. His wife was Eliza (Wilshaw) born in 1849 in Buxton, Derbyshire although I do not know if she is still alive at this point. On there daughter Annie's marriage certificate James occupation is listed as a 'Herbalist', would he have had a shop, is a herbalist like a chemist?
Any info would be great.
Carol

[miriamkinga]

1901 census has him as a "botanist" :-

James Stoneley, 48 b Macclesfield
Eliza Stoneley, 54 b Buxton
James Henry, 18 paper maker b Macclesfield
Samuel Wilshaw Stoneley 15 telegraph messenger b Macclesfield

RG13/3314/66/2

[stanmapstone]

From the OED
Herbalist;
1. One versed in the knowledge of herbs or plants; a collector of or writer on plants; a botanist.
2. A dealer in medicinal herbs or simples; one who prepares or administers herbal remedies.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

Transcribed on Ancestry as James Stondey in 1901 and James Stanley in 1911

Stan

[Cazza47]

Thank you both very much.
Carol

[Cazza47]

The James Stoneley in the 1911 census is now a rug maker, do you think this is my man bearing in mind in the 1901 census he was a botanist/scientist?
Carol

[chempat]

Does he have any other family members with him in 1911, and, conversely, have you looked to see if there is a rug maker with a similar name in 1901?

[chempat]

Yes, I think it is the same person.

Working at home as a rug maker.  Sounds reasonable at his age.

No-one else of similar name around.

He is living very close to the 1901 census address.

Did any of his family become herbalists and/or take over the shop?

[Cazza47]

Thank you.
James was a cotton weaver in the 1871 & 1881 census, a fustian cutter in 1891, a botanist in the 1901 census and a rug maker in 1911. On his daughter Annie's marriage certificate in 1906 he is a herbalist. What an interesting life he seems to have led!!
His 2 sons James became a paper packer and Samuel became a railway porter.
I doubt there every was a shop, perhaps herbalist/botanist was something he dabbled in.
Carol