Gibson, George, 53 Ratcliffe Highway, London, cm, undertaker and u (1774–1839). The long period of trading of this business suggests that there must have been two George Gibsons involved. George Gibson snr was the son of James Gibson of the parish of St Andrews, Holborn, Gent. He was app. to Thomas Palmer and Joseph Reed, merchant tailors, 5 January 1770. He was admitted freeman of the Upholders’ Co. by servitude, 2 February 1774, and is first recorded in trade directories in 1789. His trade card [Leverhulme Coll., MMA, NY] describes the business as an ‘Upholstery, Cabinet, Looking Glass and Carpet Warehouse’ and stated that he also undertook the trades of appraiser, auctioneer and undertaker. Insurance records list the address as 54 Ratcliffe Highway but this may be his dwelling house. In 1775 he also used an address near ‘The Dolphin’, Long Alley, Moorfields insured for £200 of which £100 was for utensils, stock and goods. Cover was raised to £300 with £140 for utensils and stock in the following year and for 1779–80 were £500 and £250 respectively. Took as app. George Norris White, 1790–1802. [D; GL, Upholders’ Co. records; Sun MS vol. 237, p. 210; vol. 246, p. 591; vol. 272, p. 426; vol. 187, p. 620]