Burrough(s) (Borough(s), Burrowes), John

at ‘Ye Looking Glass’, Cornhill, London; cabinet maker and looking-glass maker (fl. c.1645-d.1683)

John Burrowes was already an active furniture maker in the 1640s. He took his first apprentices, Thomas Moore and George Wither, in 1645. Subsequent apprentices were Christopher Sanelon (1653), Edward Traherne (1654), Philip Hunt (1662), Joseph Cook (1663), Robert Merrifield (1667). He also trained his son John, who became free of the Joiner’s Company 5 October 1666. At least two of these, Edward Traherne and Philip Hunt, went on to become prominent cabinet makers in their turn.

An account dated 17 June 1662 survives, totalling £60 11s, made out to ‘Mr. Clayton and Mr. Morris’ for a ‘large cabinett’, £56 18s and other items. Clayton was knighted Sir Robert in 1671, and made Lord Mayor in 1679; John Morris (Alderman) was in partnership with Clayton as a ‘moneye scrivener’ at the Flying Horse in Cornhill. Burrough was in partnership with William Farnb(o)rough, as cm to Charles II and William and Mary, 1677–c. 1690. Burrough and Farnbrough figure in the Lord Chamberlain's Royal Household accounts, Farnbrough much more frequently than his partner, who is not mentioned until 1677, when they both supplied for ‘his Majesty's service at Windsor’ two large glass tables and stands, one being flowered, — that is, decorated with floral marquetry — and the other carved and gilt, at a cost of £50 each. In about 1670 they supplied ‘a glass & table of Wallnutt’ costing £4 to Charles II's yacht, ‘The Charlotte’ Burrough and Farnbrough are named in the Hatfield House accounts in April 1688, providing a walnut escritoire costing £7, and a walnut table, £1 5s. However, since John Burroughs senior died in 1683 this must relate to his son. Similarly, a set of chairs formerly at Stoneleigh Abbey (sold Christies, 15-16 October 1981, lots 100 & 101) are perhaps those billed by John Burroughs jnr on 6 December 1709: ’10 chear frames japaned with gold… £10.0.0’.

Source: DEFM; Joiners’ Company Records; Bowett, English Furniture from Charles II to George II (2002).