Old English Occupations: A Grinder

The 1881 U.K. Census lists a man as chimney sweep and grinder. From having seen Mary Poppins and having my home’s chimney cleaned, I had a pretty clear image of a man with large brooms cleaning the soot out of chimneys. I was less clear about what a grinder’s occupation might entail.

A possibility for a grinder were organ grinders. I’m familiar with on who worked the crowds at Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park in the 1960s. The “grinder” turned the crank of a music box (the organ) while a small monkey begged for coins (see Figure 1). The census enumerator did not say “organ grinder” so he was probably not one.

Figure 1: An Organ Grinder and his Monkey

An organ grinder and his monkey. Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org), “File:Organ grinder with monkey.jpg” Hit_bull,_win_steak, posted. 22:30, 30 Jan. 2008.

The list Old English Census Occupations references two types of grinders: a fettler who grinds ceramic products and a sheargrinder who sharpened shears and scissors.¹ A 1875 newspaper mentions organized tool maker organizations for razor blade grinders, scissor grinders, and wool shear grinders.²

A grinder may have also been a traveling or door-to-door knife and shear sharpener. They possibly took they grinding wheel to homes and farms where their services were needed (see Figure 2). Or they may have had their grinding tools at a specific location on a street or in a shop.

Figure 2: A Grinder’s Cart

A knife grinder in Wallonia (Waterloo), Belgium. Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org), “File:2009 Knife grinder Waterloo 533.jpg,” Jacquesverlaeken, posted 11:14:25, 14 Apr. 2009.

Figure 3: A Knife Grinder Applying His Trade on the Street

A knife grinder on the Streets of Washington, D.C. Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org), “File:Street knife grinder, Wash. D.C. LCCN2016822959.jpg,” Fæ, posted 05:34, 20 Feb. 2018.

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1. “Obscure Old English Census Occupations,” WorldThroughTheLens.com (https://www.worldthroughthelens.com/family-history/old-occupations.php).
2. “Trade Union Congress at Liverpool,” The Liverpool Weekly Mercury, 23 January 1875, p. 6, col. 5; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/914518778/ : accessed 15 October 2023).
3. Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org), “File:Street knife grinder, Wash. D.C. LCCN2016822959.jpg,” Copyfraud, posted 11:31, 15 May. 2020.