Occupation query

[Pandabeary]

I'm wondering what this occupation is from a baptism in 1820 if anyone can read it please. I was hoping it would say carpenter to be the right family, but I'm not sure what this occupation is and it doesn't look like carpenter! Thanks

[ShaunJ]

How about an image or a link?

[Pandabeary]

How about an image or a link?

Sorry, that would help! Computer was being unhelpful but there should be an image now.

[JenB]

It looks like Mech[ani]^c to me.

[Milliepede]

I would say the same mech for mechanic.

[Pandabeary]

Thank you both! Shame it doesn't seem to fit with being a carpenter but maybe he changed occupation.

[horselydown86]

The modern interpretation of a mechanic as a worker with machinery - eg car mechanic, truck mechanic - is generally dated to the 20th century.

In 1820 it had a wider meaning of a member of a handicraft trade, a manual labourer or artisan.

Carpenter to Mechanic wasn't necessarily a big jump in 1820.

[Bookbox]

In 1820 it had a wider meaning of a member of a handicraft trade, a manual labourer or artisan.

Carpenter to Mechanic wasn't necessarily a big jump in 1820.

I totally agree with this. In some baptism registers (e.g. Marylebone, Middlesex), at this period and later, any man who worked with his hands is categorised as Mechanic, and anyone who sold anything is classed as Trade.

[Pandabeary]

In 1820 it had a wider meaning of a member of a handicraft trade, a manual labourer or artisan.

Carpenter to Mechanic wasn't necessarily a big jump in 1820.

I totally agree with this. In some baptism registers (e.g. Marylebone, Middlesex), at this period and later, any man who worked with his hands is categorised as Mechanic, and anyone who sold anything is classed as Trade.

That is fascinating as this baptism is indeed from St Marylebone! I had wondered what the other occupation was that appears frequently and now can see it is "trade", just written with an unusual "t". There only seem to be a handful of occupations scanning the surrounding pages - farmer, servant, trade, labourer, mechanic and esq/gentleman - so it seems likely he was indeed a carpenter! Thank you so much Bookbox, that makes total sense. I wanted to be sure on the father's occupation as the surname is recorded wrong - Sekbeach instead of Suxspeach - so thank you so much for providing that context.