What was an 'Agent'?

[Paul Barton, Special Agent]

Just discovered the second marriage of my ancestor Mary Langley - and her father is shown to be Thomas Langley from Ireland, an Agent. In modern terms an agent could be almost anybody, but did it have a particular meaning in the early 19th century?

(I'm hoping he was a Special Agent!!!)

[Olde Crone Holden]

Paul

I think it meant almost anything back then, as well!

An Agent is someone who acts on behalf of another person/company.

OC

[kylejustin]

here in australia, informants are often described as 'authorized agent', meaning the family payed them to register the event.
but i agree with oc, it def looks like he could have done anything.

[Janet in Yorkshire]

Agree, could mean anything.

However, the Ireland connection could signify "land agent" - more prevalent over there than here, due to the many absentee English landlords.

Jay

[Just Barbara]

I agree with Janet, land agent is the most likely answer.

[Ozzie Gert]

I have a Railway Contractive Agent in 1861, it only said Agent on his daughters marriage cert though in 1863.

Sylvia