Data collected in the census between 1841 and 1911 shows that the women of Poole were employed in typical jobs, such as servants, charwomen, shopkeepers, bakers, grocers, butchers, milliners, dressmakers and governesses.
But the whole picture was more diverse. They were also anchor-smiths, tin-plate workers, ship-owners, inn keepers, confectioners, boot-binders, midwives, clerks, clay cutters and coach builders – to name but a few things.