I have noticed in the 1850 census for Shenandoah County, VA, numerous men
aged 21 and above do not have occupations listed. I've looked at more than
600 households and have seen just one man listed as a Laborer, so far. If a
man did not own property but his father or other nearby male relative did
he may be listed as a Farmer. Very commonly, a man without real estate will
have no occupation listed unless he was in a trade, or worked for the
county as a Jailor, or something else. Also, white is considered the
default. Several census takers only listed the race of free people of color.
Is "working away from home" the key to this mystery? I see no plasterers in
the above list but they would likely be self-employed.
Any insight you can provide is appreciated.
Susan Hines
On Tue, Oct 3, 2023 at 1:41 PM Lyle E. Browning <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I have a spreadsheet translated from the 1850 census of occupations,
> trades, etc for people apparently working from home. I had attached the
> spreadsheet but it bounced due to malware possibilities.
>
> At the bottom is a list of establishments employing people with particular
> skills but they only list some of them. I had wondered where the furnace,
> foundry and other metal producers were in all that.
>
> But, VA did have 2 bell founders. Any ideas on where they might have done
> their work?
>
> Some of the numbers don’t seem to make any particular sense, such as only
> 2 veterinarians in the whole state. Teamsters seem low, and railroad
> workers are seemingly low in number, although some may be listed except in
> the Engineers category. 80 iron workers seems also very low given that
> Tredegar and the others in Richmond would seem to have all of them covered.
>
> Lyle Browning
>
>
> Working at/from home US 1850 Census, pg 272, Table X.
> Professions, occupations and trades of the male population
> Agents 290
> Agriculturailm plement makers 3
> Apothecaries and druggists 160
> Apprentices 348
> Armorers 181
> Artists 15
> Auctioneers 39
> Bakers 196
> Bankers 13
> Bank officers 85
> Barbers 110
> Barkeepers 124
> Basket makers 66
> Bell founders 3
> Bellows makers 3
> Black and white smiths 4,202
> Block and pump makers 36
> Boarding-house keapers 108
> Boat builders 103
> Boatmen 751
> Boiler makers 59
> Bookbinders 27
> Booksellers and stationers 35
> Bottlers 4
> Box makers 2
> Brewers 22
> Brick makers 113
> Brokers 15
> Broom makers 6
> Brush makers 4
> Builders 15
> Butchers 323
> Cabinet makers 1106
> Canal men 12
> Carpenters 8,038
> Carpet Makers 45
> Carriers 20
> Carters 78
> Carvers and gilders 6
> Cattle dealers 3
> Caulkers 27
> Cement makers 1
> Chair makers 183
> Chandlers 58
> Charcoal burners 3
> Chemists 2
> Cigar makers 28
> City, county, and, town officers 862
> Clerks 2,967
> Clergymen 1087
> Clock makers 8
> Clothiers 33
> Coach makers 587
> Collectors 117
> Colliers 219
> Comb makers 2
> Commissioners 20
> Confectioners 129
> Contractors 162
> Conveyancers 14
> Coopers 1,958
> Coppersmiths 52
> Corders 3
> Cordwainers 3,506
> Cotton Manufacturers 4
> Cutlers 6
> Daguerreotypists 19
> Dairymen 12
> Dealers 17
> Dentists 140
> Die sinkers 1
> Distillers 68
> Draughtsmen 38
> Drivers 285
> Drovers 37
> Dyers 25
> Editors 58
> Engineers 427
> Engravers 11
> Factory hands 230
> Farmers 106,807
> Fishermen 116
> Fruiterers 18
> Gardeners ancl florists 183
> Gas fitters 7
> Gato keepers 31
> Glass manufacturers 148
> Glovers 9
> Gold and silver smiths 79
> Grocers 651
> Hair workers 2
> Hardware manufacturers 3
> Hat and cap makers 226
> Inn keepers 888
> Inspectors 57
> Iron founders 151
> Iron mongers 36
> Iron workers 80
> Jewellers 67
> Joiners 192
> Laborers 46,989
> Lace manufacturers 3
> Last Makers 3
> Lawyers 1,384
> Livery stable keepers 42
> Locksmiths and boll-hangers 26
> Lumbermen 153
> Machinists 405
> Manufacturers not otherwise specified 157
> Mariners 1,753
> Marketmen 13
> Masons 2,216
> Mast makers 3
> Mat makers 11
> Mathematical and surgical Instrument Makers 2
> Measurers 5
> Mechanics not specified 414
> Merchants 4,584
> Millers 2,173
> Millwrights 595
> Miners 348
> Model makers 8
> Morocco dressers 6
> Moulders 127
> Mould makers 11
> Musicians 63
> Music teachers 29
> Mustard makers 4
> Nail manufacturers 87
> Oil makers 1
> Ostlers 15
> Overseers 3,747
> Oystormen 523
> Painters and glaziers 692
> Paper manufacturers 24
> Pattern makers 30
> Pavers 11
> Pedlers 150
> Physicians 2,163
> Piano-forte makers 3
> Pilots 108
> Pipe makers 10
> Planters 1,374
> Plaster figure makers 3
> Platers 13
> Plough makers 27
> Plumbers 11
> Potters 103
> Powder manufacturers 1
> Printers 318
> Produce dealers 12
> Professors 56
> Quarrymen 9
> Railroad men 91
> Refectory keepers 11
> Refiners 2
> Reporters 2
> Riggers 3
> Rope makers 43
> Saddle and harness makers 1,074
> Safe Makers 5
> Sail makers 90
> Salt makers 40
> Sash and blind makers 17
> Saw makers 7
> Sawyers 136
> Sculptors 1
> Servants 79
> Sextons 5
> Shingle makers 33
> Ship carpenters 297
> Silk manufacturers 1
> Slaters 8
> Soldiors 274
> Speculators 37
> Spinners 53
> Starch manufacturers 1
> Stave makers 12
> Steam-Engine Manufacturers 6
> Steel Manufacturers 2
> Stone and marble cutters 427
> Stove makers 2
> Students 3125
> Surgeons 15
> Surveyors 18
> Tailors 1781
> Tanners and curriers 512
> Teachers 1785
> Teamsters 228
> Telegraph operators 27
> Tin Smiths 285
> Tobaeco manufacturers 444
> Tool makers 4
> Traders 174
> Trimmers 32
> Turners 44
> Umbrella manufacturers 2
> United States and State officers 462
> Upholsterers 34
> Varnish makers 2
> Veterinarians 2
> Vinegar maker 2
> Watchmen 71
> Watchmakers 69
> Weavers 185
> Wheelwrights 1,761
> Wire makers 3
> Wire workers 10
> Wood corders 4
> Wood cutters 49
> Wool combers and carders 60
> Woolen manufacturers 5
> Other occupations 1978
> Total 226,875
> Excel summation 226876
> Establishments
> Cotton Factories 1148
> Woolen Factories 376
> Iron furnaces, forges, foundries, rolling mills, etc. 2756
> coal mining 1044
> Gold Mining 139
> Tobaco Manufactures 4696
> Glass Factories 391
> Salt Making 1230
> Tanning & Currying 912
> Brick Making 524
>
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