Different types of labourer

[seamoon24]

I've frequently come across the term Ag Lab on various census returns but the 1861 return for Thomas Finch living in John Street Wolverhampton describes him using the term I lab (possibly) - are there different categories of labourer and can anyone decipher this one. John Street is in an industrial area with not much signs of agriculture. Could it be short for Industrial Labourer?

[Pennines]

Actually there are all types of 'Labourer' - and often an occupation will simply say 'Labourer' - they could work for builders, in a factory - in fact anywhere - but just be a Labourer for whom they worked.

In the case of Thomas Finch - the occupation does look like Ag Lab actually.

[BumbleB]

Sorry, but I believe that his occupation is Ag Lab, and the same for his son George.

[Gadget]

There are a few others on adjacent pages that have the same entry under occupation.. It looks like Ly or ly. Others have just Lab.  I'm wondering if it could be Railway labourer.

Add - just noticed that A's seem to be written as A not the rounded form

[seamoon24]

It could be Ag Lab - I wondered because I have looked up John Street on the early OS maps and it is surrounded by industry. He did originally come from the countryside in Derbyshire so perhaps he saw his profession as an agricultural labourer even if he could no longer perform that trade. Thanks for your help.

[seamoon24]

Apparently the abbreviation for Railway labourer is Rail Lab

[Gadget]

In the 1851 he was a labourer at druggist

HO107/2019/149/43

[Gadget]

The reason that I'm not sure that it is Ag  is that lower down the page there is a person who is a Flour or House Agent.  The Ag does not look like the abbreviation for Thomas's occupation.

See below.

[Pennines]

I see what you mean, Gadget. Well spotted.

At the moment then, I am unsure of the letters which precede the Lab.!!