1841 Census Occupation?

[bugbear]

I have a John Sheppard, in 1841 on the high street in Diss, Norfolk. His occupation is ... odd.

At first glance, it seems to say "The Ph" (or similar), but the first letter of "The" is
(I think) a 'S' - I include in the sample a couple of Thomas (reference 'T'), and Sheppard provides
a reference 'S'.

The adjacent house owner, Edward Freeman has the same occupation, what ever it is.

His widowed spouse, Harriet Sheppard is a "Confectioner" in 1851.

  BugBear

[Flattybasher9]

I wonder if it's a shortened version of "Shopkeeper".

Regards

Malky

[bugbear]

I wonder if it's a shortened version of "Shopkeeper".

Regards

Malky

As in "Sho Kp" ? Certainly plausible.

 BugBear

[JenB]

I think it's possibly Sho[e] M[aker]

[stanmapstone]

The approved abbreviations for the 1841 census include
M. 1841 Manufacturer
m. 1841 Maker - as in 'Shoe m.'

Stan

[stanmapstone]

These are the official abbreviations used in the censuses


Ag. Lab. 1841-81 Agricultural labourer
Ap. 1841-61 Apprentice
Army 1841 Members of HM land forces of whatever rank
Cl. 1841-61 Clerk
FS. 1841 Female servant
H.P. 1841 Members of HM armed forces on half-pay
Ind. 1841 Independent - people living on their own means
J. 1841 Journeyman
M. 1841 Manufacturer
m. 1841 Maker - as in 'Shoe m.'
MS 1841 Male servant
Navy 1841 Members of HM naval forces, including marines,
of whatever rank
P. 1841 Pensioners in HM armed forces
Rail Lab. 1851 Railway labourer
Serv. 1861 Servant
Sh. 1841 Shopman

Stan

[groom]

I think it is shoe maker.

Looking at the 1851 for Edward Freeman, who also has the same occupation as John, he is described as a cordwainer and the rest of his family are shoebinders, which fits with shoemaker in 1841.

[bugbear]

I think it is shoe maker.

Looking at the 1851 for Edward Freeman, who also has the same occupation as John, he is described as a cordwainer and the rest of his family are shoebinders, which fits with shoemaker in 1841.

Ooh, good insight!

 BugBear

[fiddlerslass]

Hi,
 Try historical directories

http://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/cdm/map/collection/p16445coll4

Pigots 1839 Directory of Norfolk lists a John SHEPPARD, confectioner, Mere St, Diss. Also Edward Freeman, Shoemaker, Mere Street.

Could that be him?