Seamstresses, Tailoresses, shoemakers and milliners
Women in the workforce were most strongly represented by sewing occupations - seamstresses (sometimes referred to as sempstresses) and tailoresses (N=53). Another five people were sash makers. These ranged from independent women (such as mother and daughter Sarah and Mary Narbonne who worked out of their home on Essex Street) to groups of women employed in textile factories. A woman named Elizabeth Carr specialized in making mantuas, a type of very fancy dress. Eight more people specifically identified themselves as dressmakers. Men also worked as tailors (N=23). Additionally, there were shoe dealers (N=12) and numerous clothing store operators (N=5), including one that specialized in hats and furs. Fancy goods store operators (N=9) were also present, specializing in selling higher end fashion items. There were numerous hat makers, listed as both hatters (N=13) and milliners (N=15), three of which specialized in making straw hats or bonnets. There was also a person who made umbrellas. Salem also had at least five watch makers.
For additional information about the archaeology of the Narbonne House, see:
Salem Maritime NHS - Narbonne House
Museum Services for the Northeast Region of the National Park Service