Glossary of Occupations
Caulker: "Press oakum into the seams of a ship to make it watertight."
Church Warden: “One of two officers appointed annually, for one year, in each parish, for upkeep of fabric of the church and to take charge of monies collected.”
Commissioner: “A person appointed to act by himself in investigating or deciding some difficult question of law or government.”
Constable: “One sworn in by the justices of the peace to act on special occasions.”
Cooper: "A person who makes or repairs casks, barrels, etc."
Cordwainer: “Member of ancient trade guild. A worker in Cordovan leather.”
Deacon: “A layman ordained and appointed to attend to the secular affairs of the church.”
Housewright: “Someone who builds or repairs houses.”
Husbandman: “Farmer/cultivator of the soil.”
Joiner: “A skilled workman doing the lighter kinds of work in wood” (furniture maker).
Miller: “One who works or owns a flour or corn mill.”
Millwright: “A builder and repairer of mills.”
Rigger: “One who works on a ships ropes, sails and spars.”
Sadler: “One who makes or deals with saddles and harnesses.”
Selectman: “One of a board of officers chosen in various New England states to manage
municipal affairs.”
Tanner: “Person engaged in the art or process of preparing leather from hides.”
Weaver: “Person habitually engaged in weaving on a loom.”
Wheelwright: “Person engaged in making or repairing wheels or wheeled vehicles.”
Yeoman: “Usually a man of lower status than a gentleman who cultivates his own land."