The most common servants were housemaids, who cleaned the house and did other general housework. There were also cooks, who prepared meals; footmen, who waited on the table and performed other duties; and maids, who assisted the housemaids. In addition to these general servants, there might also be specialized servants, such as nannies, who took care of children; governesses, who taught the children; and gardeners, who maintained the grounds.
Servants were typically hired from a young age and lived in the house of their employer. They worked long hours and were often paid very little. However, they were also given room and board, and many servants were able to save money and eventually move on to better jobs.