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Does anyone know??? UPDATE

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Brit

Brit Report 2 Aug 2006 23:27

Does anyone know what a Manilla Dresser is please? I have looked it up on several sites for obsolete occupations and don't find it anywhere. I was thinking along the line of manilla folders, but that doesn't make much sense does it? Thanks for any help anyone can give on this. HAVE JUST FOUND THIS MAN ON THE 1871 CENSUS AND IT SHOWS MANILLA DRESSER AND THEN THE CHECKER HAS WRITTEN HEMP NEXT TO IT. SO IT LOOKS AS IF YOU WERE RIGHT EVERYONE. THANKS A LOT. P.S. AND IN THE PROCESS I HAVE FOUND OUT MORE ABOUT PAPERMAKING THAN I EVER WANTED TO KNOW!!!

Unknown

Unknown Report 2 Aug 2006 23:29

Maggie Where did you get the reference to this?

Brit

Brit Report 2 Aug 2006 23:30

It was the occupation of the father of a little girl who died and whose death cert. I have just received.

Merry

Merry Report 2 Aug 2006 23:35

Manilla (manila) is a type of hemp from which paper can be made (hence manilla envelopes etc) A manilla dresser presumably dressed the ''raw'' hemp.......one of the early stages in the paper/card making process?? (I'm only guessing....haven't read this anywhere!) Merry

Brit

Brit Report 2 Aug 2006 23:40

Thanks Merry, that seems a definite possibility. Just saw where you are off on your hols tomorrow, hope you have a great time.

Jennie

Jennie Report 2 Aug 2006 23:49

I agree with Merry as the only other 'dresser' I know of was a Tripe Dresser who scraped the inside of a cow's stomach, making it into something to eat, but not by me - it's revolting stuff!! Jennie

BrianW

BrianW Report 2 Aug 2006 23:51

As with tripe, 'dressing' is combing or scraping. In this case combing the fibres so they all lay in the same direction befoe being wound into rope.

Researching:
Sherwood (Kent); Jesson (London); Worboys (Herts)

Brit

Brit Report 2 Aug 2006 23:56

Thanks Jennifer and Brian. Ugh! I agree, that tripe is revolting stuff! If he was combing hemp fibres I should think it must have been awful for the lungs! I am going to see if I can find out any more about the making of paper and card and perhaps there will be more details.