I have just found this fascinating thread while looking for information about my Hicks grandfathers, of whom at least three generations were tailors in Bicester, Oxfordshire. They seem to have been rather wealthier than some, and to have had some standing within the local community. I have found papers for apprentices which describe one as a Master Tailor. I imagine he still had to sit on the table - or did he just supervise his apprentices, and concentrate on patterns and cutting? I was very interested to gain a bit of insight into their lives in the 19th century.
The first tailor from this family to move away from Bicester, was my 2nd grt grandfather, and he became a military tailor. He and his family moved around; Gravesend, Deptford, Leeds...where he describes himself in the 1871 census as 'tailor, master, 5th Drg guards. I think he was independent of the army, not a part of it. My great grandfather was also a military tailor, and he moved around even more, with an ever-growing family. In 1871, he employed 9 men; since reading this, I have a differnt picture of them all at work!Eventually, he became a Gentleman's Outfitter in Leadenhall St, London. He gave up the military side of his work because he made uniforms for officers, who notoriously never paid their tailors!
It is years since the last person contributed to this. I hope it's not too late to say thank you to all of you.
Sue
