Hi Thelma, Yes as Nivard said do not be put off by him being JUST a mason. A mason c1800 was skilled and considered part of the tradesmen class (like bakers, blacksmiths, etc) which was a step above unskilled labourers. They spanned the working/middle class. You will quite often find families with many members who were masons, bricklayers, carpenters, etc who were quite likely to have been involved in a housebuilding business. Back then stated occupations were very vague and a Mason could range from someone who just built stone walls to an architect/builder of cathedrals who had hundreds of employees! There was a lot of variance... In addition you will also find that the average will was written by someone like a farmer/yeoman who had his own farm/land. If they had several sons the first one or two might inherit the farm but the others might be apprenticed to some trade so there is no reason to suppose that a mason didn't have a farmer as a father... The most extreme job description I have seen was for a Farm Labourer who just so happened to own two war horses! Turned out his father was a very rich Knight and, if I remember correctly, county Sheriff. Not sure what his son was doing working on a farm but there you go... HTH > ------------------------------ > From: "Thelma Spicer" <thelma.spicer@verizon.net> > Subject: Re: [BKM] EMERTON Marriage > > Thank you for your meaningful response. My Joseph Emmerton was just a mason > though and probably would not have had a will. I do however appreciate your > response.