Vision of Britain | 1881 Census: Ages

1881 Census of England and Wales, Tables: Ages, Condition as to Marriage, Occupations and Birthplaces of people, Table 10 : " Occupations of Males and Females in the Division and its Registration Counties".

List Ashton under Lyne RegD/PLU	Mossley SubD

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	41	3
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	1	1
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	4	2
Police	25	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	8	-
Other Local or County Official	3	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	367	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	2	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	107	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	253	-
Army Pensioner	5	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	111	53
Clergymen (Established Church)	7	-
Roman Catholic Priest	1	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	5	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	8	-
Barrister, Solicitor	4	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	8	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	8	-
Dentist	2	-
Midwife	-	1
Subordinate Medical Service	4	10
Schoolmaster	23	31
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	-	3
School Service, and others connected with teaching	1	-
Author, Editor, Journalist	3	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	1	-
Civil Engineer	1	-
Mining Engineer	1	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	3	-
Engraver (artist)	1	-
Architect	3	-
Musician, Music Master	14	4
Photographer	3	-
Actor	7	4
Art, Music, Theatre Service	1	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	1	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	64	957
Domestic Coachman, Groom	16	-
Domestic Gardener	26	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	8	869
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	3	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	8	14
College, Club Service	1	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	2	-
Charwoman	-	49
Washing and Bathing Service	-	25
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	158	3
Merchant	1	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	15	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	6	-
Accountant	1	1
Commercial Traveller	11	-
Commercial Clerk	108	1
Bank Service	6	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	10	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	259	-
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	1	-
Railway Guard	1	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	7	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	70	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	4	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	3	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	144	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	2	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	5	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	6	-
Meter, Weigher	1	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	13	-
Telegraph, Telephone Service	2	-
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	97	9
Farmer, Grazier	46	6
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	11	-
Farm Bailiff	1	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	38	3
Gardener (not domestic)	1	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	15	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	12	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	1	-
Drover	2	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	33	1
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	1	-
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	1	-
Bookbinder	4	-
Printer	23	-
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	4	1
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	148	8
Engine, Machine Maker	31	1
Millwright	15	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	27	-
Boiler Maker	1	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	62	7
Tool Maker, Dealer	1	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	1	-
File Maker	1	-
Saw Maker	1	-
Domestic Implement Maker	1	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	4	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	1	-
Type Cutter, Founder	2	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	335	2
Builder	12	-
Carpenter, Joiner	100	-
Bricklayer	27	-
Mason	93	-
Slater, Tiler	9	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	16	-
Plumber	26	-
Painter, Glazier	40	-
Cabinet Maker	3	1
Furniture Broker, Dealer	1	1
Gas Fitter	3	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	5	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	22	-
Coachmaker	1	-
Wheelwright	14	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	7	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	1	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	10	1
Dye, Paint Manufacture	1	-
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	1	-
Chemist, Druggist	7	1
Manufacturing Chemist	1	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	3	-
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	3	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	301	89
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	42	7
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	2	26
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	2	-
Brewer	9	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	11	-
Cellarman	2	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	1	-
Milkseller, Dairyman	2	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	53	4
Provision Curer, Dealer	16	-
Fishmonger	10	-
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Corn Miller	2	-
Baker	9	6
Confectioner, Pastrycook	5	24
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	20	2
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	108	19
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	6	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	2,274	3,230
Woolstapler	1	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	21	10
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	-	4
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	1	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	2,075	2,660
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	57	12
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	17	-
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	1	-
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	3	-
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	1	1
[Others]	1	3
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Weaver (undefined)	4	84
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	29	-
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	28	381
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	28	10
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	5
Trimming Maker, Dealer	1	-
Others	2	60
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	268	296
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	149	96
Tailor	35	6
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	2	178
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	-	11
Hosiery Manufacture	1	-
Hosier, Haberdasher	1	-
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	48	3
Patten, Clog Maker	25	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	7	-
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	2
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	32	-
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	6	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	2	-
Currier	13	-
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	4	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	7	-
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	36	3
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	13	2
Sawyer	5	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	13	1
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	1	-
Paper Manufacture	2	-
Others	1	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	852	6
Coal Miner	357	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	1	-
Mine Service	2	-
Coal Merchant	20	1
Coalheaver	19	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	1	-
Gas Works Service	10	-
Stone Quarrier	26	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	3	-
Limeburner	1	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	8	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	31	-
Paviour	4	-
Road Labourer	4	-
Platelayer	12	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	32	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	2	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	1	-
[Iron Manufacture]	191	2
Blacksmith	53	-
Nail Manufacture	12	1
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	5	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	34	1
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	1	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	16	1
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	1	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	5	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	510	71
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	15	17
Pawnbroker	6	-
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	16	6
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	7	-
General Labourer	289	1
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	89	2
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	53	9
Apprentice (undefined)	2	1
Factory Labourer (undefined)	4	29
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	29	6
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	8	-
Town Drainage Service	1	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	3	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	2	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	2	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	59	380
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	59	380
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	68	1,667
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	5	10
[Blank field, or illegible]	63	1,657

Notes:

The following notes to the table appeared in the original report.

1	This table is a very special case: The original Table 10 as published by Division in the 1881 census reports was limited to data for Registration Divisions, their component Registration Counties, and just those Urban Sanitary Districts with populations of over 50,000. Data presented here for counties and higher-level units are taken from the published reports, as usual, but we also include in A Vision of Britain through Time data for Registration Districts, sub-Districts and Civil Parishes which never appeared in the original reports. These were specially created for us by the History Data Service at the University of Essex and derive from the complete transcription of the individual-level Enumerators Book data coordinated by the Genealogical Society of Utah.
2	In creating these data, each occupation listed in the enumerators books has been assigned as far as possible to the relevant category used in the published reports, but some additional categories with labels in square brackets unavoidably appear. Unlike the published statistics for higher-level units, these specially-calculated data for districts and parishes include persons under 15 or over 65. For these and other reasons, no attempt has been made to ensure that county totals for the districts or parishes match the published county totals. The remaining notes are those that appeared below the original published table.
3	NOTE.--Persons returned as engaged in more than one occupation have been referred to the one that appeared to be of most importance; or if there was no difference in this respect, to the one first given by the person in his or her return. In some cases special rules have been followed: e.g. "Clergyman and Schoolmaster" in combination has always been referred to "Schoolmaster"; a Member of Parliament or Peer engaged in any branch of commerce or industry has always been referred to this latter, not to "Peer, M.P.".
4	The numbers returned under any heading include Labourers, Apprentices, and Assistants, as well as Masters, but not Clerks, Messengers, Errand boys, Porters, or Watchmen, for which occupations there are special headings. Civil, Military, and Naval Clerks, Law, Bank, Insurance, and Railway Clerks, and Government and Railway Porters, are, however, exceptions to this rule. Many young persons, being Apprentices or Assistants, have therefore been referred to occupations usually followed by adults. Women also, chiefly widows or orphans carrying on the business of their deceased husbands or fathers, will sometimes be found under occupations commonly followed by men only.
5	Persons returned as retired from any business have not been referred to that business. Inmates of workhouses have been referred to their trades, unless their age or infirmities showed that they were past work. But persons who might be supposed to be only temporarily separated from their usual employment, such as Prisoners, and Patients in General Hospitals, have been classed under their usual occupations.
6	In some cases, for convenience of space, the male designation, e.g. "Schoolmaster", alone is given, instead of "Schoolmaster, Schoolmistress".

Click on the triangles for all about a particular number.

This website does not try to provide an exact replica of the original printed census tables, which often had thousands of rows and far more columns than will fit on our web pages. Instead, we let you drill down from national totals to the most detailed data available. The column headings are those that appeared in the original printed report. The numbers presented here, which are the same ones we use to create statistical maps and graphs, come from the census table and have usually been carefully checked.

The system can only hold statistics for units listed in our administrative gazetteer, so some rows from the original table may be missing. Sometimes big low-level units, like urban parishes, were divided between more than one higher-level units, like Registration sub-Districts. This is why some pages will give a higher figure for a lower-level unit: it covers the whole of the lower-level unit, not just the part within the current higher-level unit.

Acknowledgments:

We are grateful to the following contributors. If you make use of the data in your own work, please follow any instructions given here on acknowledgment and re-use.

(1) Kevin Schurer (Department of Geography, University of Cambridge). Role: editor. Restrictions on use: the data cannot be accessed, although the Vision of Britain system may present them graphically (any other use requires the contributor's permission.)

(2) Matthew Woollard (UK Data Service, University of Essex). Role: editor. Restrictions on use: the data cannot be accessed, although the Vision of Britain system may present them graphically (any other use requires the contributor's permission.)