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 Plymouth RegD/Inc	Plymouth South West SubD

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	206	8
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	94	2
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	30	2
Prison Service, &c.	1	-
Police	56	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	15	-
Other Local or County Official	10	-
East Indian and Colonial Service	-	4
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	1,528	8
Army Officer (effective/retired)	56	1
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	640	1
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	9	-
Army Pensioner	39	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	80	3
Seaman, R.N.	356	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	42	-
Navy Pensioner	306	3
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	403	401
Clergymen (Established Church)	20	1
Roman Catholic Priest	4	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	10	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	11	8
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	5
Theological Student	7	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	4	4
Barrister, Solicitor	30	-
Law Student	4	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	37	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	28	3
Dentist	10	2
Medical Student, Assistant	5	-
Midwife	-	3
Subordinate Medical Service	4	73
Schoolmaster	66	202
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	9	45
School Service, and others connected with teaching	4	4
Author, Editor, Journalist	10	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	1	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	-	1
Civil Engineer	9	-
Mining Engineer	1	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	1	-
Painter (artist)	11	2
Engraver (artist)	3	-
Sculptor	2	-
Architect	6	-
Musician, Music Master	53	35
Art Student	3	2
Photographer	23	4
Actor	8	7
Art, Music, Theatre Service	3	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	5	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	10	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	185	3,176
Domestic Coachman, Groom	16	-
Domestic Gardener	2	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	93	2,412
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	3	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	49	54
College, Club Service	2	3
Office Keeper (not Government)	1	4
Cook (not domestic)	7	2
Charwoman	-	317
Washing and Bathing Service	4	360
Hospital and Institution Service	6	23
Others engaged in Service	2	1
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	500	28
Merchant	13	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	43	-
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	8	-
Accountant	48	2
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	3	2
Commercial Traveller	122	3
Commercial Clerk	209	21
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	3	-
Banker	1	-
Bank Service	24	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	2	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	24	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	2,030	21
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	65	1
Railway Guard	31	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	3	1
Other Railway Officials and Servants	169	1
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	1	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	21	1
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	98	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	148	1
Tramway Companies' Service	18	-
Wheel Chair Proprietor, Attendant &c.	1	-
Inland Navigation Service	1	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	81	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	6	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	905	4
Pilot	18	-
Ship Steward, Cook	32	3
Boatman on Seas	2	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	130	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	41	2
Meter, Weigher	1	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	249	5
Telegraph, Telephone Service	9	2
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	120	7
Farmer, Grazier	9	-
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	1	-
Farm Bailiff	21	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	48	6
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	1	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	5	1
Gardener (not domestic)	35	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	449	3
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	5	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	69	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	9	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	3	-
Drover	15	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	1	2
Fisherman	347	1
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	251	33
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	19	6
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	2	-
Bookbinder	30	25
Printer	172	1
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	11	1
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	17	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	261	11
Engine, Machine Maker	43	4
Millwright	6	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	76	-
Boiler Maker	25	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	7	1
File Maker	1	-
Saw Maker	3	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	53	2
Philosophical Instrument Maker	10	2
Electrical Apparatus Maker	2	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	2	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	1
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	8	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	23	1
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,633	51
Builder	50	-
Carpenter, Joiner	493	1
Bricklayer	12	-
Mason	438	5
Plasterer, Whitewasher	115	-
Paperhanger	1	-
Plumber	125	1
Painter, Glazier	228	-
Cabinet Maker	89	35
French Polisher	26	4
Furniture Broker, Dealer	8	3
Locksmith, Bellhanger	4	-
Gas Fitter	9	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	1	-
Wood Carver	15	-
Carver, Gilder	15	-
Dealer in Works of Art	1	1
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	2	1
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	102	1
Coachmaker	47	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	1	-
Wheelwright	31	-
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	22	1
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	405	3
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	119	3
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	218	-
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	13	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	22	-
Sail Maker	33	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	47	17
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	-	15
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	1	-
Chemist, Druggist	43	-
Manufacturing Chemist	3	2
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	10	6
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	10	6
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	971	312
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	112	22
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	18	106
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	14	3
Maltster	5	-
Brewer	30	-
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	37	8
Cellarman	20	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	24	-
Milkseller, Dairyman	40	5
Cheesemonger, Butterman	1	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	110	11
Provision Curer, Dealer	19	8
Poulterer, Game Dealer	3	2
Fishmonger	52	36
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	19	-
Corn Miller	26	-
Baker	182	18
Confectioner, Pastrycook	29	14
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	31	42
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	-	2
Sugar Refiner	9	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	176	35
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	14	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	197	263
Woolstapler	-	1
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	2	-
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	-	1
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	2	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	3	-
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	13
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	22	5
Mat Maker, Seller	2	-
Net Maker	-	1
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	5	1
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	2	3
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	-	1
Weaver (undefined)	-	3
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	11	11
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	-	1
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	144	211
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	2	10
Embroiderer	-	1
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	499	1,670
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	13	4
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	4
Tailor	176	309
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	3	1,106
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	2	184
Hosiery Manufacture	-	1
Hosier, Haberdasher	8	11
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	249	42
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	42	1
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	2	5
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	4	3
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	85	23
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	2	1
Soap Boiler, Maker	26	3
Manure Manufacture	7	-
Furrier, Skinner	2	3
Tanner, Fellmonger	11	-
Currier	7	2
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	4	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	26	9
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	5
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	197	53
Oil and Colourman	2	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	1	1
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	31	2
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	6	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	17	1
Sawyer	64	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	10	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	9	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	21	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	7	-
Others	1	-
Paper Manufacture	1	24
Stationer, Law Stationer	16	14
Paper Stainer	1	-
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	1	11
Ticket, Label Writer	1	-
Others	7	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	510	19
Coal Miner	3	-
Ironstone Miner	1	-
Copper Miner	2	-
Tin Miner	6	1
Lead Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	4	-
Mine Service	1	-
[Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook]	1	-
Coal Merchant	25	1
Coalheaver	51	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	1	-
Gas Works Service	17	-
Stone Quarrier	14	1
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	19	1
Slate Worker, Dealer	3	-
Limeburner	1	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	1	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	2	-
Paviour	9	-
Road Labourer	4	-
Platelayer	8	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	22	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	3	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	11	7
Waterworks Service	1	-
Others	2	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	19	3
[Iron Manufacture]	34	2
Blacksmith	144	-
Whitesmith	8	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	43	1
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	-	1
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	13	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	2	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	29	-
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	1	1
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	1	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	2	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	1,622	388
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	85	163
Pawnbroker	23	7
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	96	90
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	110	3
Contractor (undefined)	9	1
General Labourer	1,036	10
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	147	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	69	33
Apprentice (undefined)	21	4
Factory Labourer (undefined)	23	24
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	3	53
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	19	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	14	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	2	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	3	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	325	1,573
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	325	1,573
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	209	6,912
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	20	12
[Blank field, or illegible]	189	6,900

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".

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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.)