child is annuitant

[heathgirl]

Hi, upon reviewing a family census I noticed Emily Burton age 8 (in Marylebone, Middlesex, London, England) has "Annuitant" clearly written by her name in 1871. She is the youngest child of Joseph Burton. On the same census it appears her elder sister had Annuitant written beside her name, and it is partly crossed out. Emily is not described as a scholar, which I would expect. Wondering if anyone has seen this and could offer an explanation to me. Thanks

[Elwyn Soutter]

I suspect that someone has paid for an annuity, or put money in trust for the children, and so they receive that income. More usually associated with someone who is retired but could be for children, through an inheritance.

[a-l]

I agree . Were her parents on the same census ?

[stanmapstone]

Joseph Burton   47 Builder
Maria Burton   50 Wife
Joseph W Burton   16
Hannah M Burton   14 Annuitant
Emily Burton             8 Annuitant
 RG10; Piece: 183; Folio: 18; Page: 27

Stan

[medpat]

A relation may have provided money through their childhood until they leave school or even put them through a private day school to give them a decent start.

My grandmother's brother died in his 20s leaving a son and 2 daughters, her sister in law's brother gave money to privately educate the son. It was just before WW1.

 

[heathgirl]

Thank you. I will look into Maria Seymour's family history a bit more (the mother). While little is known about the Burtons, the father Joseph was occupied in trades or service.

[heathgirl]

And I guess from this explanation, that noting they were annuitants might have indicated they would be unemployed or not at school as they were privately funded...

[a-l]

They may have gone to school or been privately taught , annuitant means they had their own independent means of support.
But being girls maybe they didn't receive any education.

[ThrelfallYorky]

The most likely thing is, as other have said, that they were receiving a regular income in their own right as a result of a legacy - need not be from parents, just a wealthy (relative?)