I have a chap who died in 1822. When his widow died 30-odd years later, she was recorded on her death certificate as the widow of a Beadle. However, on their daughter's marriage certificate, her father was recorded as a deceased plumber. The marriage certificate is the correct one as all other factors add up. Would it have been possible for a Beadle to have a second occupation? Could it have been a mistake on the part of whoever registered the marriage? The marriage certificate is a copy from the GRO. Should I try for one from the local Register Office to check it out? Opinions, please.
I googled Beadle as I have never heard of it! I wonder if when she died the person who gave the information did know her husband had been a plumber and thought he had just helped out at the church? Do you know which church it could have been, can you contact them and ask if he was there?
Hi Sue, There are 2 definitions of a Beadle: 1) an official who takes part in some church or university ceremonies 2) in the past an officer of the law who dealt with small offences in a local area In this case, he was an officer of the law - but thanks for the suggestion.
If it was only a small village I couldn’t see it as a full time occupation and being a plumber as well would leave him time to be available for Beadle duties.
Two things. A plumber used to be someone who dealt or worked with lead and so not necessarily a person we'd regard as a plumber now. A Beadle was an elected position and so it would have been possible to have been both a Beadle and a plumber at different times. It may be that the widow frequently spoke about her husband and was proud of him having been a Beadle - the person who registered the widow's death knew this and gave Beadle as his occupation. Was the daughter alive when he was a Beadle? - maybe she only remembered him when he was a lead dealer or lead worker. From the OED. A. C. Smeaton Builder's Pocket Man. (1847 ed.) 'Within the last four years, zinc has been extensively employed instead of lead, and the plumber has undertaken the execution of such works'....without seeing the entry, I have the impression that this could be a section on roofing not plumbing.
Yes, but she was very young when he died - just about 4 if memory serves me right. She didn't marry until the 1840s.
Just by-the-bye The Worshipful Company of Plumbers has long had a Beadle! Page 24 Code: http://www.plumberscompany.org.uk/assets/file/WCP_Ordinances.pdf
I was just going to say the same - in fact most livery companies had them. They had their own guild Code: http://www.thebeadlesoflondon.com/ Can you give me his name Jan, as it seems the beadle of a livery company would put adverts in the papers to do with their respective companies - and they always put their name....
No.... I have a thing about sad stories.. I have nightmares unless I can read the book in one go so never attempted it. My Mom had some beautiful leather bound Charles Dickens books made with very fine paper and they were off limits to me when young.!! I think she gave them to my brother.
Sorry @Dogsday - the daughter married more than once but the mother did not remarry. I was working from memory last night and did not have my notes to hand.
