Griffith(s), Charles, Watergate St Row, Chester, cm and u (1831–40). Freeman of Chester, 27 April 1831. Bankrupt March 1838 and on 3 April his stock was offered for sale at his premises at 89 Watergate St Row. This consisted of ‘four post and tent bedsteads with chintz curtains lined and fringed, hair and flock mattresses, goose feather beds, mahogany and painted chests of drawers, washing and dressing tables, looking glasses, chairs and bedroom carpets’. Despite his financial difficulties he soon recommenced business and in April 1840 advertised from his new premises at 44 Watergate St Row that he was maintaining a ‘GENERAL UPHOLSTERY, Cabinet, Carpet, Rug and Paper Hanging Establishment’. He stated that ‘Cabinet and Upholstery Furniture of every description manufactured on the premises from a wellseasoned stock of mahoganies, and other Fancy Woods’ was available. He was agent for the British Plate Glass Co., acted as a general appraiser and offered to supply mahogany and rosewood in plank and veneer. By July 1840 however he was once more insolvent and his stock was sold off by auction. [D; freemen rolls; Chester Courant, 20 and 27 March 1838; 24 April, 24 July and 14 August 1840]