Gronous, James, ‘The Black Lyon’, Wych St, Strand, London, upholder (1700–39). App. to Henry Heasman and free of the Upholders’ Co., 7 August 1700. Master of the Upholders’ Co., 1739. Took as apps Richard Brisco, 1705–24; Richard Kerrington, 1708–20; William Schouten, 1720–28; Roger Tomlin, 1720–21; and George Dale, 1720–29. In February 1707 he took out insurance cover for £100 on a house on the east side of Butcher Hall Lane in Christchurch parish and may have been living here at this date. By February 1714 however he was at ‘The Black Lyon’ in Wych St which he insured for £500. In 1725 a similar sum was designated as cover for goods and merchandise at this address. He had possibly ceased to trade as an upholder by the mid 1730s as a newspaper report in December 1735 referred to him as ‘late an eminent upholsterer’. His only known commission is that for the 1st Duke of Portland who, for equipage, furniture and workmanship to August 1721, had provided patronage to the extent of £652 12s 3d. [GL, Upholders’ Co. records; Hand in Hand MS vol. 6, ref. 15419; vol. 14, ref. 15419; vol. 21, ref. 36672; London Daily Post, 17 December 1735]