Frank W
14-10-2007, 11:01 AM
While extracting surnames from an 1851 Herts Census, I found the following occupation : "Proprietor of a Mangle" which amused me somewhat.
Also in the same piece, was an occupation which defied recognition for some time - it looked at first sight like "Bacon at th..............keeper" but was eventually resolved as "Baron of the Russian Empire".
After searching on Google, I discovered that the gentleman concerned was apparently a descendant of a famous medical man, Thomas Dimsdale, who had become involved with inoculation procedures for smallpox, and published a book on the subject.
As a result, he was invited to visit the Russian Imperial Court, and was then asked to treat Empress Catherine.
She was so impressed that she granted him a baronetcy, and in addition rewarded him with the sum of £10,000 and an annual payment of £5,000, which were astronomical for that era. (mid 18th century)
Regards.........Frank W
Also in the same piece, was an occupation which defied recognition for some time - it looked at first sight like "Bacon at th..............keeper" but was eventually resolved as "Baron of the Russian Empire".
After searching on Google, I discovered that the gentleman concerned was apparently a descendant of a famous medical man, Thomas Dimsdale, who had become involved with inoculation procedures for smallpox, and published a book on the subject.
As a result, he was invited to visit the Russian Imperial Court, and was then asked to treat Empress Catherine.
She was so impressed that she granted him a baronetcy, and in addition rewarded him with the sum of £10,000 and an annual payment of £5,000, which were astronomical for that era. (mid 18th century)
Regards.........Frank W