Brown, William

Lancaster, Lancs. and London; cabinet maker (fl.1749-84)

He was the son of John Brown of Lancaster, officer of excise, apprenticed to Thomas Walker, joiner and cabinet maker, to serve from 3 April 1749. Admitted freeman, 1767–68 when stated ‘of London’. He was one of the partners in 'Wilson & Brown', cabinet makers of Long Acre; Wilson (Walter) & Brown (William) of London were corresponding, advising, and supplying Gillows with items unobtainable in Lancaster from 1759-64. In the same year the cabinet makers Wilson & Brown were employing Nicholas Croft, a Lancaster cabinet maker known to the Gillow family. Brown voted in both Lancaster elections in 1769 and 1784. For further details of his London business see the entries for Walter Wilson, and Edward Wilson, who were also Lancaster men.

Sources: DEFM; Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840 (2008), II, p. 222