Big Book - W
Wailer Removed impurities from coal in the mines.
Wainwright Maker or repairer of wagons (Wains being wagons).
Waiter or Tide Waiter A Customs officer. Collected duty on imported goods, which were usually brought in at high tide.
Walker Employed to walk over cloth after weaving when it was wet, to clean and thicken it
Wapentake Collection of local parishes, mostly a northern counties word. Similar to a Hundred.
Wardrobe Dealer One who dealt in secondhand clothing.
Warper Set up the warp thread on looms, (the weft being what is then threaded thru the warp) / Moved boats by hauling on their ropes, which were called warps.
Wasteman Waste remover / Checked and maintained that mine workings were free of gas.
Watch finisher Assembled time pieces although he did not make the parts, just assembled them.
Watchman Town night watchman.
Waterman Boatman who is availible for hire usually on rivers.
Way Maker/Man Road builder/Surveyor
Weaver Operator of a loom, usually a female. (Male equiv. was a Webber or Webster)
Wellmaster Responsible for the village well and for clean drinking water from it.
Wet Glover Specifically a leather glove maker.
Wet Nurse Woman who breast-fed babies for others
Wetter Dampened paper for printing or a worker in part of Glass making.
Wheel Tapper A railway worker that tapped wheels to detect cracks from the resultant ring (had to have a keen ear)
Wheelwright Person who makes and repairs vehicle wheels, such as carts, wagons, etc.
Whitesmith Person who works with white or light coloured metals such as tin. Can also refer to a person who finishes other metal objects.
Widow A widow is a woman whose husband has died.
Widower Widower is a man whose wife has died.
Witness A witness is an individual present at an event such as a marriage or the signing of a document who can vouch that the event took place.
White rent Blackmail; rent to be paid in silver.
Will A document stating how a person wants real and personal property divided after death.
Writ of attachment Court order authorizing the seizure of property sufficient to cover debts and court costs for not appearing in court.
Writ of summons Document ordering a person to appear in court.
