Butt Woman

[littlefacey]

Could anyone explain what a Butt Woman (church) was? I have an ancestor named Mary Ann Milman living in Bovey Tracey in 1901 working as one? She lived at ST John's Cottages with her mother with whom she spent many years working at the local church but im stumped at Butt Woman? I did CAREFULLY  trying googling but no luck 

[Ellenmai]

A Butt-Woman was a lay church worker who tends to the pews in a church, otherwise known as a Sextoness.

[littlefacey]

Thank you Ellenmai! 

[Ellenmai]

Your welcome.
An appropriate name for her occupation when you consider the American Slang for Buttocks is Butt don't you think 

[stanmapstone]

See http://www.rootschat.com/links/01jn9/ at the bottom of the right column.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

A Butt was a kneeling cushion, or hassock used in churches.

Stan