On 18/07/2013 20:24, Steve Hayes wrote: > One of my ancestors is described in the 1851 census as a "sworn corn miler". > > Anyone know what that is? > > I assume that "miler" is a misspelling of "miller", but though I'bve heard of > sworn appraisers, I've never heard of a sworn corn miller before. > > and from Google books... http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=HSgJAAAAQAAJ&dq=Sworn%20corn%20meter&pg=PA144#v=onepage&q=Sworn%20corn%20meter&f=false "It must be observed that as the City of London occasions the Consumption of so great a Quantity of Corn and Coals so the Measurement of them is under the Inspection of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen and for the Direction of it there is allowed a certain Number of Corn meters and Coal meters whose Places are for Life and bring them in a very considerable Income. They have abundance of poor Men employed under them who are also called Meters and are or ought to be Freemen of the City. This is indeed a kind of Tax as well upon the Coals as Corn but the Buyer is abundantly recompensed by being ascertained in his Measure for the Sworn Meters are so placed between the Buyer and the Seller and have so many Eyes upon them being besides Men of Character that there is hardly ever any room for Complaint on this Head."