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New Netherland, New York Genealogy
Obsolete Occupations of the Netherlands
© Cor Snabel
Night watch (nachtwacht)
The night watch was introduced in the 14th century and was
the responsibility of the Sheriff. But as towns grew every
neighborhood got its own department of watchmen. The
organization of the night watch was based on the principle
of the army, even with titles as lieutenant, captain and
colonel. But these titles were for the rich and they never
patrolled town. The night watch did not have a uniform, but
they had their standard attributes: the lantern, sword, drag
(to save people who fell into the canals) and rattle. Every
half hour he rattled, announced the correct (?) time and
rattled again. The night watch was not a policeman, but his
presence in the streets had a preventive character. The job
of the night watch was a job for the poor, so they tried to
earn an extra penny. If someone had to get up early, he came
knocking at the door.
His working hours depended on the seasons, from ten in the
evening until the ringing of the gate-bell next morning at
sunrise. He had to report at the gate at 21.30, got his
instructions and attributes and left for his district. In
every district was a small cabin, where the night watch
could hide if it was raining or snowing. In this cabin was a
stove, on which he could warm some coffee. It had no
windows, but the door could be opened in two parts, the top
part was always open to let out the smoke of his peat-stove.
In winter the night watch started his shift by begging for a
piece of burning peat at the houses near his cabin. But soon
he started to beg in summer too, now for a tip or a drink.
Due to the low wages a lot of watchmen could not resist the
bad influences of the night; they got involved with burglars
or robbed drunken pedestrians. The authorities were never
able to solve this problem, until the night watch was
dismantled by Napoleon.
>Choose from the following ancient occupations
Baker |
Beachcomber |
Beguine |
Candlemaker |
Dumpman |
Executioner |
Fanmaker |
Fireman |
Gravedigger |
Innkeeper |
Laundrywoman |
Nightwatch |
Peddlar |
Porter |
Seat Caretaker |
Ship Shanghai |
Soapmaker |
Streetpaver |
Tolltaker |
Pharmacist
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