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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: Duodecem on Monday 19 October 20 16:14 BST (UK)

Title: Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?
Post by: Duodecem on Monday 19 October 20 16:14 BST (UK)
My ancestor, Benjamin Meadows, lived in Birmingham and married in 1770. On the record of banns for St Martin's church, his occupation is clearly written as  "Waiter Maker."
It seems very specific but gives no indication of what his trade might have been.
I wondered whether he could have been a silversmith making serving dishes, or a cabinet maker making serving stands.
I wonder whether anyone has heard of a waiter maker and has any idea of what his trade was?
Title: Re: Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?
Post by: Mike in Cumbria on Monday 19 October 20 16:26 BST (UK)
My ancestor, Benjamin Meadows, lived in Birmingham and married in 1770. On the record of banns for St Martin's church, his occupation is clearly written as  "Waiter Maker."
It seems very specific but gives no indication of what his trade might have been.
I wondered whether he could have been a silversmith making serving dishes, or a cabinet maker making serving stands.
I wonder whether anyone has heard of a waiter maker and has any idea of what his trade was?

A waiter is a silver tray. https://www.rootschat.com/links/01pyi/ (https://www.rootschat.com/links/01pyi/)
Title: Re: Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?
Post by: Guy Etchells on Monday 19 October 20 16:30 BST (UK)
A tray and waiter-maker was a silversmith who made silver trays, and silver serving dishes. I would guess he made the same.
Cheers
Guy
Title: Re: Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?
Post by: JenB on Monday 19 October 20 16:33 BST (UK)
Just following up the other replies, the Oxford English Dictionary has a waiter as ' A salver, small tray'.
Title: Re: Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?
Post by: stanmapstone on Monday 19 October 20 16:37 BST (UK)
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Title: Re: Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?
Post by: Duodecem on Monday 19 October 20 16:45 BST (UK)
Thank you all for your replies.
I suppose he was so specific because worked for a firm that just made the serving trays rather than other silverware.
They look beautiful items in the link you posted Mike.
Problem solved! :) Jan