Hodson, Robert

at ‘The Cabinet’, Frith St, Soho, London; cabinet maker (fl.1712–24)

Took out a Sun Insurance policy on 25 March 1712 on his goods; and a Hand in Hand policy for £250 on his house on 11 July 1716. On 27 May 1719 insured goods and merchandise in his house with the Sun Co. A note added to this policy on 31 August 1723 stated that these had been removed to Mr Smith's, apothecary, a few doors away. Insured goods and merchandise for £1,000 on 9 November 1723 with the Sun Co. Appears to have been the predecessor of John Hodson who headed the firm of Hodson's in Frith St during the 18th century. In 1718 he supplied chairs and stools for the Duke of Montrose's London house in Bond St; and a bill for ‘10 Walnut chairs with Matted Seats’, costing £10, receipted in 1724, was probably also for the Duke of Montrose. Other Scottish clients included the Duke of Gordon and Colonel Kennedy of Dalquharrran. On 19 June 1724 he provided ‘a Neat Mahogeny Tea Table’ at £1 15s to Temple Newsam House, Leeds. Robert Hodson wrote to the Earl of Radnor in September 1725 concerning a ‘compting bureau’ supplied to Longford Castle. Apparently succeeded by John Hodson.

Sources: DEFM; Pryke, ‘The Extraordinary Billhead of Francis Brodie’, Regional Furniture (1990).