Dear, W. B.; W.

London; cabinet maker & upholsterer (fl.1835–1882)

W. B. Dear was recorded as trading at 21 Broad Court, Long Acre in 1835 and John Street, Tottenham Court Road in 1837. Listed as an upholsterer in the London Post Office Directory 1845 at 103 John Street, Fitzroy Square and possibly the same William Dear, upholsterer, recorded at 30 & 31 St George’s Place, Knightsbridge in the P O Directory 1871. 

W. Dear, of St George’s Place, Knightsbridge, filed for liquidation on 21 September 1882. A bankruptcy hearing was held on 5October 1882, when it was stated that much of his furniture had been hired out without Dear receiving payment. The judge granted the application for this furniture should be legally protected. 

Dear was also a club proprietor and carried out business in Brighton, Bognor and elsewhere.  A trustee was appointed as trustee of the estate. At a creditors meeting on 16 December 1882 his balance sheet showed debts of £4,111, secured debts £48,485 and assets of £2,884. Dear, with the support of friends, offered to make a settlement to his creditors and the session was adjourned. There was a first dividend of 2s 7d in August 1883 [The Furniture Gazette, 7 & 14 October, 23 December 1882 and 1 September 1883].  

It is possible that it was the same W. Dear, recorded as late upholsterer of Brightside, Crouch End, Hornsey, in connection with a bill of sale (i.e., security) for £289 8s to E. Lee, which was filed on 19 August 1882 [The Furniture Gazette, 2 September 1882].

Source: DEFM