Help with Harriet's occupation 1861.

[John Bell]

Help needed with the occupation for Harriet Welless (Wallis) in the 1861 Census in Deptford.
I have attached a blow up of the details and they may read...
Servant? of .... ..... wife?

I could not attached the complete census form as the image was to large and rejected.
There is no clue as to an occupation for Harriet in other Census years.
She was 29 with an 8 year old daughter, her husband who was a Railway Platelayer was not at home in 1861.

Regards,
John

[avm228]

"Steward of a Vessel's wife" - so not actually an occupation for her; she's saying that her absent husband is steward of a vessel.

Anna

[bikermickau]

I also read the 1st word as Steward

[maidmarianoops]

i think her age is 39


sylvia

[Rena]

I read "Steward of a Vassal's wife".

Vassal:  feudal system; one holding lands on condition of homage and allegiance to a superior.

[avm228]

I read "Steward of a Vassal's wife".

Vassal:  feudal system; one holding lands on condition of homage and allegiance to a superior.

I'd be most surprised to find there were still any vassals around in 1861! (The feudal system, introduced by William the Conqueror, was in decline by the 13th century and extinct by the 16th century...)

Anna

[lizdb]

I'd vote for Steward of a Vessel's wife.

[charlotteCH]

Steward of a ? wife

[Rena]

Mr & Mrs Vassal could be local bigwigs - did your ancestor live on an estate owned by a Vassal family?