by chrishewett » Sun Sep 13, 2015 11:17 am
You may have hit the nail on the head. I couldn't attach the whole certificate because it was too large but the writer, rev D S Spedding has made similar marks on the page, as over the second e in Hewett. There is a Sarah who was a witness and the r in her name is identical to the third letter in the word in question. It is looking like it could be verger.
I am still confused as to why. In all the previous and later census returns he is a shoe or boot maker. Also on the marriage certificate of Charles Williams younger brother, my great grandfather, Thomas James dated 1874, nine years later than this one. He may have been involved with the church as for over 10 years he and his wife lived at the one tun ragged school in Old Pye street ( in the "devils acre" ) where she was school keeper.
What actually is a verger? Could it be a lay person?