Gabbitas(s), John and Henry

Worksop, Nottinghamshire; Windsor chair maker (fl.1822–d. 1839).

Originally from Retford, John and Henry were the first to establish a chair-making workshop at Worksop in 1822. Others followed and chair making became a major town industry. The workshop was initially on the Common but then moved to Eastgate.

Gabbitass was the first in the town to use a mark and three chairs have been recorded branded under the seat ‘I GABBITASS’. The mark and a chair are illustrated in Gilbert (1991), figs 145 and 167.

John's will was proved on 9 January 1840 [Temple Newsam Exhibition Catalogue, Common Furniture, 1982, no. 26; Nottinghamshire Record Office probate records].

John’s wife Elizabeth inherited his entire stock in trade and she carried on the workshop for five or six years. Her chairs are stamped along the seat edge ‘E. GABBITASS/WORKSOP’. Her children also continued the business.

Source: DEFM; Gilbert, English Vernacular Furniture 1750-1900 (1991).