Brown, Ralph (1768-1808)
Brown, Ralph
Newcastle, Northumberland; upholsterer (fl. 1768–1808)
Trading at ‘The Royal Tent, Foot of the Side’, 1768–1792 and Dean Street, no. 8 from Mosley Street, 1792–1808.
Trade card of Webster & Brown, Upholsterers at the Royal Tent the Foot of the Side Newcastle. Make & Sell Beds of Damask Moreen Harrateen Cheney Chintz & Check in the genteelest Taste. And have a complet Assortment of paper Hangings, also Persian Wilton & Scotch Carpets with other Articles in the Upholstery Way. Superfine Goose & Poultry Feathers. NB. All Sorts of Furniture in the Upholstery Way exactly match'd & neatly put up, c. 1770 [Banks,28.149]. © The Trustees of the British Museum
Advertised in Newcastle Courant, 19 November 1768, that he was journeyman to William France, ‘and wrought at several of his Majesty's Palaces … and is becoming partner of Mrs. Elizabeth Webster’. Announced in same paper, 29 February 1772 that partnership was dissolved [Newcastle Courant, 19 November 1768; 29 February 1772].
Advertised again, 14 February 1778, and 14 April 1781 and gave notice of his removal to Dean Street, 14 April 1792.
Worked for Lord Strathmore at Gibside, County Durham, between 18 June 1791 and 20 November 1801, receiving a total of £166 5s ¾d supplying items including ‘bed sacking’, ‘check coverlids’, ‘Fashionable Bell Ropes, Chintz Tassels’, and ‘Nailing Down Wilton Carpets’ [Durham Record Office, Strathmore MS D/St/ Box 206; D/St.v.998–9; 350/7 and 9a].
Declared bankrupt [Billinge's Liverpool Advertiser, 26 March 1798].
Sources: DEFM; R. W. Symonds, Furniture Making in 17th and 18th Century England, p. 31.
The original entry from Dictionary of English Furniture Makers, 1660-1840 can be found at British History Online.