Occupation: Sheerluton (US)

[tonian]

I'm at a loss... this man was in his late 30s and lived in central New York ... if that makes any difference?

It's very difficult to read but it does look like sheerluton?

Can you post a screenshot of it? What era was this?

Actually it's speenluton... even so, still clueless and google isn't helping me on this one.

It was taken from the 1855 census... his previous occupation in England was a farmer... but I'm aware that could be neither here nor there.

In addition, he lived in a building worth 6000 bricks with a small family. So far - so confused!

Thank you for anyone who can help!

Could the last bit be ‘tutor’? Could it be something to do with shearing (spelt wrong)?

That’s a G at the beginning!

I thought something akin to screenwriter

Screenwriter - in 1855?!

I'm pretty sure it's SP...

Will post other words on that page on a bit to see if that helps.

Is it speculator?

I'd go with speculator, too.

I was just about to post more writing.., but I think SPECULATOR looks correct, thank you people!

If anyone has an idea beyond the obvious about what that might mean in 1855 NY I'd be happy to take ideas?!

Does anyone happen to know what 6000 bricks means?

Is it bricks or bucks?

Given it's New York, stock exchange may be correct. If the location were different I'd suggest gold (or other mineral) miner.

There's this US Census Office guide, Occupations at the twelfth census, which lists occupation categories in the 1850 and 1860 national censuses (but not the 1855 NY census).

On page v, "Speculators" come under "Bankers and Brokers" – although there's also an exhortation on page ccxlvii, for the 1870 census, to "Call no man a [...] 'speculator', without further qualification".

They'd obviously learnt their lesson by then.

books.google.co.uk/books?id=sFvBOBYpU3AC&pg=PR55&lpg=PR55&dq=1850+occupation+speculator&source=bl&ots=KpKxATpVuy&sig=ACfU3U054Y7_AQ36SKg74G4fiwFagr50Cg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj5-vv5qOLiAhUyt3EKHS2wCx0Q6AEwCHoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=speculator&f=false

Speculation in land or real estate would also be very plausible in NY.

Thank you so much!

Investor basically.

Investor basically.

Investor basically. Sort of the equivalent of a hedge fund investor/business angel today. Presumably using the proceeds of his farm back home in England.

I think the 6000 bricks thing is probably a guesstimate and relates to the size of the building, and from that the census people can surmise a rough value.

Does it say, "brick, 6000"? Ie $6000?

Here are the 1855 NY questions:

Dwelling numbered in order of visitation; material of which dwelling is built; value; family numbered in order of visitation; name; age, sex and color (black or mulatto); relation to head of family; place of birth (county of New York State, other state or foreign country); married; widowed; years resident in this city or town; profession, trade or occupation; native and naturalized voters; aliens; colored not taxed; over 21 who cannot read and write; owners of land; deaf, dumb, blind, insane or idiotic.
www.nysl.nysed.gov/genealogy/censusq.htm

wow they sure collected a lot of information! insane or idiotic ;)

Speculator

Knitclubchatter, 1855 was the slimmed down version!

Check out the information they collected in 1825, 1835 and 1845, on that link.