I found this strange ad in the Hampshire Telegraph, 05 March 1821 on FindMyPast:
Now I think that this is my g3-grandfather. He was a cordwainer (boot-maker) and he married in Southampton in June of that year. My question is - who on earth would employ someone as a "hermit", and what would that situation involve? I know that a hermit is a recluse - originally a monk or similar member of a religious group. But surely you wouldn't need to advertise for a vacancy for this, you'd just go off to the local monastery and join up if that was your inclination? Did the word have a different connotation at the time?
Whatever the intent of this ad, it didn't seem to come to anything as Thomas remained as a cordwainer and went on to have 9 children. He did mysteriously disappear after 1841 though, so maybe I should start looking for him in some remote monastery somewhere?
Wants a situation, as a HERMIT, a young man, twenty-nine years of age; is willing to engage himself immediately. Direct (by letter, post-paid) to Thomas Glasby, at Mr. Coles, near the Gas Works, Southampton. Feb 28, 1821.
Whatever the intent of this ad, it didn't seem to come to anything as Thomas remained as a cordwainer and went on to have 9 children. He did mysteriously disappear after 1841 though, so maybe I should start looking for him in some remote monastery somewhere?
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