What is the most interesting occupation in your family tree? (#2)

[Mogsmum]

The occupation's a bit boring "Molecatcher and Butcher", but you've got to admit, the end result could be interesting.  I wonder if his customers knew? 

[mrf]

Not likely as if there was a mole he would have dealt with them

[Mogsmum]

     Should have seen that coming!!!!!!!

[sue23]

What an interesting topic! Quite enjoying the read here 

My husband is an ancestor of the HERRIDGE/ HEADACHE family from Bucklebury (Believe me .. that in itself explains a lot !!!).
One of the occupations they were involved in was that of an 'ale-conner'.
Apparently, they use to test the beer and collect taxes based on the ale's strength. To accomplish this they poured some ale onto a wooden bench and then sat in it, wearing moleskin breeches.

 The stickier the brew from the fermeted sugars, the harder it would have been to remove your breeches from the bench and hence the higher the alcohol content (and your taxes!)

[behindthefrogs]

Apparently, they use to test the beer and collect taxes based on the ale's strength. To accomplish this they poured some ale onto a wooden bench and then sat in it, wearing moleskin breeches.

 The stickier the brew from the fermeted sugars, the harder it would have been to remove your breeches from the bench and hence the higher the alcohol content (and your taxes!)

I thnk someone has been conning you.  They used an instrument which looked like a wooden ruler with a lead weight on one end.  They read the strength of the beer (actually its specific gravity) from how deep it sank.

I wonder if they called it a con rod !!!
David

[stockman fred]

I think they are called Hydrometers. We used to use one for measuring the fat content of milk. It is made of glass for health reasons but it has the ruler and weight inside.
Fred

[Bill749]

My great grandfather was an umbrella maker and bath-chair proprietor.  After that business died he became a confectioner.

My grandfather's cousin was a well-known pianist and entertainer, writing and performing his own comic songs.

Somewhat further back, one of my ancestors was employed picking up stones on the King's highway!

Regards, Bill

[indiapaleale]

The brother of my great-great-great great grandmother, Jane Wellford, was Surgeon-General to George Washington's Army - during and after the American Revolution.

Was he (Robert Welford) an American? - No....He was from Ware in Hertfordshire and I would have never discovered this interesting bit of history had I not ordered the will of William Welford, Jane's father, where I discovered that his son Robert had gone to America and unless he returned within a specified time period would lose his inheritance.

This set me googling and such looking for Robert and wondering if he ever went back home.

Well, he never did....and not only that....he was a real pioneer! He went on an expedition with Lewis and Clark during the Whiskey Rebellion. He founded a dynasty in the state of Virginia where his house still stands and is a State Monument....!

I discovered all of this from spending £3:50 for a will!

Who would have thunk it!

[Rena]

I discovered all of this from spending £3:50 for a will!

My grandfather was a master boilermaker and then I paid £3.50 when I discovered the will of his childless aunt and her industrialist husband and discovered that grandpa been left £145,000 in 1865 but only if the aunt's elderly bachelor brother in law didn't produce a child.  One young wife later said elderly brother in law produced a male child and my grandfather received £300 

Cheers,
Rena