Trying to decipher occupation as listed in 1841 Kent, England census

[AusFamily]

Trying to decipher the handwriting for the occupation of Tho (Thomas) Wood, aged 30, last family entry in the attached 1841 census for Tenterden in Kent, England

Surely it's not " lord " ! What does the small "a" next to it mean?

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[sbny357]

Based on the other abbreviations on the page, I would reckon it is an abbreviation for “Cordwainer”, although the ‘C’ is a bit unusual.

Steve

[AusFamily]

thanks Steve. I'll wave to look that word up!

[Skoosh]

Independent means! abrev'.

Skoosh.

[Ruskie]

Independent means! abrev'.

Skoosh.

I thought the same before reading the other replies.

What was Thomas’s occupation in 1851?

[sbny357]

Yes, I would go along with Independent means.

[AusFamily]

I found the baptism book for his son and his (the father's) occupation reads "Labourer", so independent means would fit with that.

Strangely, the family does not appear anywhere in England on the 1851 census. They must have migrated.

[rosie99]

When his daughter Catherine was baptised in 1830 Thomas Colegate Wood was described as a Yeoman though later baptisms listed him as a labourer.

He is shown on indexes as having gone to New South Wales, Australia in 1844

[AusFamily]

Thanks Rosie, wondered what happened to the family! That solves the mystery