My favourite occupation (1861 Census)

[Pennines]

Oh Annie - thank you for the link to that thread - I loved the comment about the Enumerator being a 'judgey-pants'!!

[Kiltpin]

Not an occupation -- but 'maybe' it was!!

On the 1861 census there is a Mary A Stanley - aged 30 - who's relationship to the Head of the House was recorded as Concubine.

Ooh 'eck!  A kept woman!!  Love it! So was Mary A Stanley the man's unmarried partner? Or was she the 'chippy on the side' (living under the same roof)?   
I can hear the conversation as we speak: "Get yer scarf on tonight, luv. We're off down pub".

When I was in my early teens, I heard my aunt say "she thought that she was a kept woman, but it turned out that she was merely detained". 

Regards 

Chas

[Sloe Gin]

I always think concubines sound like something that one might grow in the garden.

[Pennines]

Sloe Gin -- you are absolutely right! I had never thought of that before.

[Maiden Stone]

I always think concubines sound like something that one might grow in the garden.

Columbines in my garden are promiscuous. A concubine is faithful.
Some mistresses used to have legal contracts with their protectors.

[Pennines]

Maiden Stone -- dare I ask how you know about some mistresses having legal contracts?!!

[Maiden Stone]

Maiden Stone -- dare I ask how you know about some mistresses having legal contracts?!!

From a TV drama series  "Harlots". It was set in 18thC. Jessica Brown Findlay ("Downton Abbey", "Jamaica Inn") was mistress of a nobleman. He offered her a contract. I've no original sources for evidence.

[Pennines]

Thank you Maiden Stone, for clarifying. How interesting - I wonder now if it was a common practice.

[Maiden Stone]

Thank you Maiden Stone, for clarifying. How interesting - I wonder now if it was a common practice.

I think it was only rich men. A man got an assurance of fidelity and a woman gained security and possibly an income in retirement.