opinion on an occupation please (General)

by slowhands , proud of his ancient Dean Forest roots, Friday, November 24, 2006, 11:58 (6575 days ago) @ Simone

Firstly I 'm sure you have the correct family in 1861

8th April 1861 Census in Abergavenny dist 4
Stroudwater and Blakeney transcribed as Shoud Water and Blackley

Elizabeth Whitaker abt 1817 Shoud Water, Gloucestershire, England Head Abergavenny Monmouthshire
Eliza Whitaker abt 1849 Shoud Water, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Abergavenny Monmouthshire
Elizabeth Whitaker abt 1851 Blackley; Dean, Devon, England Daughter Abergavenny Monmouthshire
James Whitaker abt 1855 Bream, Gloucestershire, England Son Abergavenny Monmouthshire
Joseph Whitaker abt 1853 Blackley; Dean, Devon, England Son Abergavenny Monmouthshire

Secondly, yes a general labourer would encompass gas fitter, althought fitter would given the impression of a tradesman.

Abergavenny had a Gas works from 1823, and in 1860 a Reservoir construction project commenced.

So in conclusion its starting to "gel"