Brown(e), Matthew snr 

Ousegate, Yorkshire; cabinet maker and upholsterer (b. 1741–d. 1829)

Recorded at High Ousegate in 1808. The son of Matthew Brown, gardener, he was apprenticed to Richard Farrer on 15 November 1756 and admitted a freeman in 1772.

Brown advertised in the York Courant, 25 November 1766, that he was succeeding to Farrer's business and setting up shop in High Ousegate with Jeremiah Smith, another former employee of Farrer. With Smith he bound as apprentice George Bradley on 24 June 1771; and alone:

• William Halfpenny on 3 April 1778
• William Smith, 28 February 1787
• Reuben Williamson, 1 April 1793
• John Duffill (Duffield), 27 July 1809

Became a partner with his son, William [York Herald, 10 October 1801] but son died aged 25 [York Courant, 1811].  Decline of business and sale of stock was announced in the York Chronicle, 1818.

Brown died aged 88 at his house ‘Without Micklegate Bar’, 1829 [Poll book; York apprentice register and freemen rolls].

Source: DEFM