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 Lewisham RegD/PLU	Lewisham CP/AP

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	342	19
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	136	16
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	63	-
Police	104	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	31	2
Other Local or County Official	4	-
East Indian and Colonial Service	4	1
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	78	3
Army Officer (effective/retired)	29	2
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	10	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	7	-
Army Pensioner	15	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	12	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	1	-
Navy Pensioner	4	1
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	821	840
Clergymen (Established Church)	33	-
Roman Catholic Priest	1	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	16	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	11	8
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	5
Theological Student	5	1
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	19	6
Barrister, Solicitor	105	-
Law Student	9	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	86	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	43	-
Dentist	9	-
Medical Student, Assistant	41	-
Midwife	-	3
Subordinate Medical Service	2	214
Schoolmaster	99	357
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	23	128
School Service, and others connected with teaching	7	6
Author, Editor, Journalist	25	8
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	8	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	11	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	5	1
Civil Engineer	50	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	21	-
Painter (artist)	35	17
Engraver (artist)	8	-
Sculptor	1	-
Architect	43	-
Musician, Music Master	27	48
Art Student	18	10
Photographer	48	19
Actor	2	6
Art, Music, Theatre Service	-	3
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	2	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	8	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	486	6,015
Domestic Coachman, Groom	88	1
Domestic Gardener	135	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	137	5,066
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	3	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	82	53
College, Club Service	1	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	3	6
Cook (not domestic)	5	4
Charwoman	-	153
Washing and Bathing Service	22	717
Hospital and Institution Service	8	15
Others engaged in Service	2	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,934	50
Merchant	119	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	192	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	48	-
Accountant	76	2
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	9	7
Commercial Traveller	148	1
Commercial Clerk	1,051	37
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	8	-
Banker	6	-
Bank Service	171	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	7	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	99	2
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	932	8
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	8	-
Railway Guard	2	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	1	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	144	2
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	20	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	212	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	235	1
Tramway Companies' Service	2	-
Wheel Chair Proprietor, Attendant &c.	1	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	6	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	13	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	49	-
Ship Steward, Cook	5	1
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	10	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	58	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	156	-
Telegraph, Telephone Service	10	4
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	840	14
Farmer, Grazier	18	2
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	2	-
Farm Bailiff	4	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	121	3
Shepherd	1	-
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	3	-
Woodman	1	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	74	1
Gardener (not domestic)	616	8
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	127	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	2	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	85	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	24	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	5	-
Gamekeeper	3	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	5	1
Vermin Destroyer	1	-
Fisherman	1	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	142	8
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	29	3
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	4	-
Bookbinder	7	3
Printer	86	1
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	7	1
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	6	-
Copper Plate and Steel Plate Printer	1	-
Map and Print - Colourer, Seller	2	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	217	4
Engine, Machine Maker	67	1
Millwright	1	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	52	-
Boiler Maker	12	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	1	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	1	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	3	-
Saw Maker	1	-
Steel Pen Maker	1	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	40	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	5	1
Electrical Apparatus Maker	8	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	4	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	2	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	9	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	3	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	2	1
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	4	1
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	2,139	31
Builder	137	1
Carpenter, Joiner	596	2
Bricklayer	517	2
Mason	68	-
Slater, Tiler	1	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	160	1
Paperhanger	20	-
Plumber	140	-
Painter, Glazier	338	4
Cabinet Maker	48	17
French Polisher	7	-
Furniture Broker, Dealer	12	1
Locksmith, Bellhanger	2	-
Gas Fitter	52	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	17	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	3	-
Carver, Gilder	12	2
Dealer in Works of Art	7	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	2	-
Artificial Flower Maker	-	1
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	81	1
Coachmaker	26	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	1	-
Wheelwright	27	-
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Others	1	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	25	1
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	22	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	7	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	10	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	3	-
Sail Maker	2	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	64	7
Dye, Paint Manufacture	3	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	-	1
Chemist, Druggist	51	1
Manufacturing Chemist	7	5
Drysalter	3	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	21	13
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	21	13
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,186	159
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	79	12
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	1	55
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	14	4
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	7	-
Brewer	28	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	26	2
Cellarman	9	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	71	6
Milkseller, Dairyman	117	1
Cheesemonger, Butterman	16	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	164	4
Provision Curer, Dealer	26	1
Poulterer, Game Dealer	7	1
Fishmonger	61	2
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	35	3
Corn Miller	18	-
Baker	173	15
Confectioner, Pastrycook	23	19
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	96	14
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	1	-
Sugar Refiner	8	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	201	19
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	5	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	266	160
Woolstapler	10	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	5	-
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	2	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	13	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	11	8
Silk Dyer, Printer	1	-
Ribbon Manufacture	1	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	11	-
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	3	-
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	3	-
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	8	2
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	1	-
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	1	-
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Mat Maker, Seller	1	-
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	1	-
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	3	-
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	6	4
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	2	-
Manchester Warehouseman	8	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	161	127
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	3	12
Trimming Maker, Dealer	6	1
Embroiderer	2	5
Others	2	-
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	389	826
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	9	2
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	1	2
Tailor	113	21
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	8	698
Shawl Manufacture	1	-
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	5	82
Hosiery Manufacture	7	-
Hosier, Haberdasher	20	1
Glover, Glove Maker	2	-
Button Maker, Dealer	2	-
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	189	13
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	27	3
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	5	1
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	3
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	51	2
Soap Boiler, Maker	3	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Manure Manufacture	1	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	3	-
Furrier, Skinner	5	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	5	-
Currier	23	1
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	3	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	7	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	195	23
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	4	1
Oil and Colourman	37	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	3	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Others	3	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	3	5
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	3	-
Thatcher	1	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	25	-
Sawyer	25	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	7	1
Wood Turner, Box Maker	4	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	10	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	3	-
Others	2	-
Paper Manufacture	5	-
Envelope Maker	1	-
Stationer, Law Stationer	50	16
Paper Stainer	2	-
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	1	-
Others	3	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	697	18
Coal Miner	-	1
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	1	-
Mine Service	3	-
Coal Merchant	16	-
Coalheaver	20	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	2	-
Gas Works Service	143	-
Stone Quarrier	1	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	20	-
Limeburner	1	-
Well Sinker, Borer	1	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	5	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	98	-
Paviour	5	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	1	-
Road Labourer	8	-
Platelayer	38	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	31	-
Others	1	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	2	3
Glass Manufacture	4	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	15	2
Salt Maker, Dealer	1	-
Waterworks Service	6	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	38	1
Lapidary	1	-
Others	6	8
[Iron Manufacture]	39	-
Blacksmith	72	-
Whitesmith	28	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	49	3
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	1	-
[Coppersmith]	1	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	4	-
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	12	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	2	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	14	-
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	3	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	3	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	1,101	117
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	55	48
Pawnbroker	7	1
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	10	4
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	18	2
Contractor (undefined)	11	-
General Labourer	846	3
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	31	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	91	42
Apprentice (undefined)	18	5
Factory Labourer (undefined)	10	-
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	4	12
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	33	1
Town Drainage Service	5	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	22	1
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	5	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	1	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	441	1,778
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	441	1,778
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	310	8,699
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	6	3
[Blank field, or illegible]	304	8,696

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.)