Occupation - Yeomen/Clothier Saddleworth Yorkshire

[karen58]

Hello Everyone

Does anyone know the difference between a yeomen and a clothier?

In a will dated 1826 the testator describes himself as a clothier. In the codicil, written 3 months, later he describes himself as a yeomen. He lived in Saddleworth.  He was fairly wealthy, but not fabulously.

I understand that a weaver/clothier had to undertake an apprenticeship. But how was the weaver identified as yeomen?

Did they have to achieve something before they were referred to as a yeomen or did they just adopt this title indiscriminately?

Was the title related to wealth or skill?

I have googled the term but have not found a definition.

Regards
Karen

[stanmapstone]

The term Yeoman had no legal precision, but was used informally to distinguish a farmer who was more prosperous than the average husbandman. The wealth that was needed for a farmer to be judged a yeoman by his neighbours varied from region to region and over time. During the 18th. and 19th. centuries both yeoman and husband man were gradually abandoned in favour of farmer.
See http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=564768.0
Stan

[stanmapstone]

From the OED; Clothier; a. A maker of woollen cloth. b. esp. One who performs the operations subsequent to the weaving (arch.). See http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=547175.0

Stan

[Alexander.]

Hi Karen,

A yeoman was usually a freeholder, meaning they had some social standing (wealth), but were below the level of gentleman. There was no regulation of who could use the title. Many tradesmen held land in addition to their usual occupation. For example, I have a weaver in my ancestry who also farmed some land, and kept a large flock of sheep (for wool).

Alexander

[stanmapstone]

I have googled the term but have not found a definition.
Regards
Karen

Can I suggest that you search RootsChat first as most of these type of questions have been asked and answered before.
Stan

[karen58]

Hi Alexander

Thank you for the very useful information, this seems to make sense. I thought that it might have something to do with land ownership. But some of these terms have slightly different meaning depending on the place

I wasn't sure because Robert's father, grandfather and son owned land but only referred to  themselves as clothiers.

The Winterbottoms didn't seem to farm, but they did lease property to other clothiers.

Warm Regards
Karen

[stanmapstone]

Hi Karen,
Was my reply of no interest?

[karen58]

Dear Stan

I am so sorry. Please forgive me. Stan, you have responded to my posts several times, and I have always greatly appreciated your help and your obviously considerable knowledge on all types of subjects.

I have no excuse for being so rude to you. Please forgive me as my honest intention was to thank you and Andrew at the same time.

Apologetically
Karen