the occupation of carter

[Taurinya]

I have a female ancestor living in Barrow-in-Furness whose occupation was given in the 1881 census as "carter". Could someone tell me what that meant? I can't believe she transported goods on a cart! Could it be a misspelling of "carder"? Or is it something else?

[Milliepede]

Carrier of goods by wagon - I don't see why she couldn't have done that - what occupation does she have on other census?

[Taurinya]

Until 1880 she was married. So no occpuation until she became a widow. In later censuses she was a laundress.

[stanmapstone]

It is probably Carder, there were jute mills in Barrow. Can you give the census details?

Stan

[Taurinya]

1881 census: Jane Robinson, age 44, estimated birth year about 1837; where born: Kirkby Ireleth, Lancashire, England; address: 16 John Street, Barrow-in-Furness; widow; occupation: Carter

[stanmapstone]

Her Occupation is definitely shown as Carter. In the Lancashire 1881 Census there were 82 females in the occupation category "Carman, Carrier, Carter , Haulier" http://www.rootschat.com/links/01jne/ The terms haulier, carter, carman, carrier, can all refer to people in charge of horse drawn vehicles, a person engaged in the road transport of goods, either on his/her own account or for an employer.
RG11; Piece: 4285; Folio: 20; Page: 36;
Stan

[Maiden Stone]

A modern equivalent would be a lorry or van driver. I know female van-drivers.
A widow "of mature years" would do whatever job she could to earn a living in the 19th century.

[Taurinya]

Thank you both for your help. Now I can be sure.
Of mature years? She was only 44 which, even in those days, wasn't all that old

[ThrelfallYorky]

Had here husband been in the haulage business? If they had no suitable sons, she might very well have kilted up her skirts and continued the business when widowed! And 44 was a better age than many got to in those days, remember. I've females who took on the family business when needed, at about the same time.