Quill Dresser - Occupation

Anyone here know what a "Quill Dresser" does for a living?! I have two

Eve McLaughlin...

In London etc: Or any town with lawyers and other writers: Makes Quill
Pens from goose etc feathers, trimming them so that they will write
without splatting ink all over paper and writer.
Specialised meaning in Lancs cotton area might be creating small
shuutlesworth of thread - this is perhaps from coloured marking on white
ground?.

ancestors who list this as their occupation!!

Gene...

This would be the old time equivalent to the current job description below.

John Bennett...

In the 1901 census I was rather surprised to find the occupation of my
Great Granduncle, Alfred Bennett, was "Naturalist" (the family were
living in Hackney, London at that time). His wife, Alice's occupation
is shown as a "Feather Dresser". Would a "feather dresser" be the same
as a "Quill (pen) dresser" above? And what might a "naturalist" be

Peter Goodey...

I don't think so. Most probably refers to feathers connected with clothing
- a popular fashion in years gone by eg feather boas.

doing in Hackney in 1901?

Eve McLaughlin...

couple

Lesley Robertson...

And he had to live somewhere between trips!
David Attenborourgh is often described thusly.
Lesley Robertson

Cheers John

quiller; quiller hand; quiller tender - Tends machine equipped with
automatic quill loading and doffing device that winds yarn from cones or
tubes onto quills for use in loom shuttle: Loads hopper with empty
quills by hand or electric hoist. Places supply packages of yarn on
holders, according to yarn count, blend, and color of label inside
packages, and ties yarn ends from packages to ends in machine and cuts
excess yarn at knots with scissors. Observes winding units to detect
breaks in yarn. Removes quills when yarn breaks, rethreads yarn through
guides, and ties yarn ends. Removes full boxes or pinboards (boards with
upright spindles), which receive wound quills ejected by machine, and
separates partially filled quills. Keeps production records. May inspect
quills for defects, such as broken filament and dirty or damaged yarn.
May mark quills of yarn according to style of yarn being processed,
using colored chalk.

CWatters...

web-search suggests it's probably someone who loads thread onto a quill. The
quill is a paper or card tube that fits onto a shuttle used for weaving.

Christopher Jahn...

Most likely they made quill pens, or prepared quills to be carved
into pens.

Here's an excellent description of the quill pen and its
manufacture: