Census occupation abbreviations

[wisteria16]

Can any-one tell me the occupation given on the 1841 census.  John Watts of Cross, Compton Bishop, Axbridge aged 66 years old has his job as P.H.P.  I have never come across this before and wondered if anyone in Somerset can enlighten me as to what this means . 
wisteria16

[Hibee]

Public House Proprietor?

Hibee

[gortonboy]

P  was used for Pensioner,,as in army pensioner....HP  was used for Half pay,,so could he be an army pensioner on half pay?


http://homepage.ntlworld.com/hitch/gendocs/abbrcen.html

[wisteria16]

Hi gortonboy & Hibee,

     Many thanks for your quick reply - both replies are quite plausible at 66 years old he could be a pensioner or a publican.  If he had been in the army this might explain why he had a family late in life.  Must put a crystal ball on my Christmas wish list .  Many thanks again.
wisteria16

[JenB]

Given the standard abbreviations used in the 1841 census I'd be inclined to agree with Gortonboy: [Armed forces] Pensioner Half Pay

All persons serving in her Majesty’s Land service as officers or privates in the Line, Cavalry, Engineers, or Artillery, may be entered as “Army,” without any statement of their rank, adding “H.P.” for Half-Pay, and “P.” for Pensioner. All persons belonging to Her majesty’s Sea service, including Marines, may be entered as “Navy,” adding “H.P.” for Half-Pay, and “P.” for Pensioner.
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~framland/census/1841directions.htm

[wisteria16]

Hi JenB,

     Thank you for your reply and information.  I think with the details you have given me - John Watts had probably served time in the army or navy in his youth.  He had a family quite late in life so this may account for it.  Many thanks again.
wisteria16