Author Topic: Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?  (Read 676 times)

Offline Duodecem

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Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?
« on: Monday 19 October 20 16:14 BST (UK) »
My ancestor, Benjamin Meadows, lived in Birmingham and married in 1770. On the record of banns for St Martin's church, his occupation is clearly written as  "Waiter Maker."
It seems very specific but gives no indication of what his trade might have been.
I wondered whether he could have been a silversmith making serving dishes, or a cabinet maker making serving stands.
I wonder whether anyone has heard of a waiter maker and has any idea of what his trade was?
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Garrett- London, Berks
Morton-Berkshire
Harvey- Essex
Hambling, Royal,Dale,Jackson, Tann, Boatwright Edridge/Etheridge/Uttridge -all Norfolk
Osborne-Norfolk and Northumberland/Durham

Offline Mike in Cumbria

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Re: Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?
« Reply #1 on: Monday 19 October 20 16:26 BST (UK) »
My ancestor, Benjamin Meadows, lived in Birmingham and married in 1770. On the record of banns for St Martin's church, his occupation is clearly written as  "Waiter Maker."
It seems very specific but gives no indication of what his trade might have been.
I wondered whether he could have been a silversmith making serving dishes, or a cabinet maker making serving stands.
I wonder whether anyone has heard of a waiter maker and has any idea of what his trade was?

A waiter is a silver tray. https://www.rootschat.com/links/01pyi/

Offline Guy Etchells

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Re: Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?
« Reply #2 on: Monday 19 October 20 16:30 BST (UK) »
A tray and waiter-maker was a silversmith who made silver trays, and silver serving dishes. I would guess he made the same.
Cheers
Guy
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Offline JenB

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Re: Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?
« Reply #3 on: Monday 19 October 20 16:33 BST (UK) »
Just following up the other replies, the Oxford English Dictionary has a waiter as ' A salver, small tray'.
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Offline stanmapstone

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Re: Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?
« Reply #4 on: Monday 19 October 20 16:37 BST (UK) »
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Offline Duodecem

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Re: Does anyone know what occupation "Waiter Maker" was in 1770 please?
« Reply #5 on: Monday 19 October 20 16:45 BST (UK) »
Thank you all for your replies.
I suppose he was so specific because worked for a firm that just made the serving trays rather than other silverware.
They look beautiful items in the link you posted Mike.
Problem solved! :) Jan
Cooper- Berks, Herts, Wrexham,Birmingham
Garrett- London, Berks
Morton-Berkshire
Harvey- Essex
Hambling, Royal,Dale,Jackson, Tann, Boatwright Edridge/Etheridge/Uttridge -all Norfolk
Osborne-Norfolk and Northumberland/Durham