Occupations and Trades of the Eighteenth Century

These are some of the occupations and trades that were a part of daily eighteenth-century life:

• Apothecary - acted as pharmacist, doctor, dentist, and general storekeeper
• Barber - cut hair; also was a surgeon
• Blacksmith-Armorer - made things from iron and repaired weapons
• Bookbinder
• Breechesmaker - mades breeches
• Brickmaker
• Cabinetmaker - made and repaired furniture
• Carpenter-joiner - built interiors of ships and houses
• Chandler - made candles
• Coachmaker - made coaches and wagons
• Cooper - made containers of wood, such as barrels
• Cutler - made, sold, and repaired knives and scissors
• Farrier - shoed horses and acted as a veterinarian
• Goldsmith - made hollow ware (bowls, cups, and vases) and jewelry
• Gunsmith
• Hatter
• Leather dresser
• Mantuamaker - dressmaker
• Milliner - made dresses and hats and sold accessories
• Music Teacher
• Printer - published the newspaper, sold books and other printed materials, and often served as postmaster
• Ropemaker
• Saddler - made saddles, harnesses, and other leather items
• Shoemaker
• Silversmith
• Tavern Keeper - provided meals, drinks, entertainment, and lodging
• Weaver
• Wheelwright - made wheels and carts
• Wigmaker
• Whitesmith - made things of iron and steel, then polished them to make them look like silver