Coulson, Thomas (1802-05)
Coulson, Thomas, Pilgrim St, Newcastle, glazier, japanner, house-painter and gilder (1802–05). Included in his stock were japanned chairs ‘in gold or colours’, fire-screens, bed and window cornices and flower pot stands. In August 1802 advertised that he had taken into his employ a new foreman who was ‘a proper Herald Painter and Japanner, and who has been employed in the first Shops in the Metropolis’. Apart from the japanning of chairs, tea trays and other items of furniture Coulson claimed that he could japan ironwork ‘as at the Birmingham manufactories’. He also dealt in old paintings, drawings and portraits. In November 1805 he claimed that there was a conspiracy amongst his rival tradesmen to ruin his business by bribing his workmen to neglect their duty and pass trade information on their techniques to them. He threatened to prosecute should further action of a similar nature take place. [Newcastle Courant, 6 January, 21 August 1802, 20 August 1803, 11 November 1805]