on census returns (mainly 1841/1851) there is recorded, under occupation 1.. the phrase "Provision Merchant" 2.. the word "Independant" 3.. the phrase "House proprietor" = landlord? Re #2 i figured it meant that the person, especially as applied to a female = "WIDOW or/and a single person, living by "her own means". Of course ", on 1841 census relationships not noted Re #1?. I have a lady, Helen Garden, living on College Street, in Deeside by herself whose occupation was noted as "Provision Merchant Schani Biermann