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Ingram, John (1803-1845)

Ingram, John

London; japanner and Windsor chair manufacturer (fl.1803–45)

At 1 Worship Street in 1803 and from 1804 at 29 City Road, Finsbury Square He was listed at this same address in the London Post Office Directory 1845 as an upholsterer.

A substantial maker who specialised in fancy and rustic chairs. Stock in 1803 was valued at £1,100 and in 1804 one insurance policy was effected on 20 January which provided cover of £1,000 of which stock and utensils accounted for £700, and a further policy was effected on 28 July for £300 more. This latter covered a workshop and store in Tabernacle Row nearby, a japanning shop and their contents. By November 1806 the cover had increased to £5,500 all but £300 of which was in respect of utensils and stock in various warehouses and workshops.

In 1812 the business was termed a ‘RUSTIC MUSEUM, and cheap Japan and Windsor Chair Manufactory’. 

In July Ingram informed the public of the success of a twelve day public auction which had cleared his warehouses of their old stock. They were now filled with the very latest goods which included ‘every description of fancy japanned Windsor, mahogany and dyed chairs, sofas, couches, bedsteads, cornices, flower-stands, garden and rustic seats, bridges, alcoves, summer-houses &c.’ He was offering a similar range in 1820. 

His trade card [Johnson Collection, Bodleian Library, Oxford] lists similar wares and informs the public that he undertook funerals.

From 1829 the business traded as John Ingram & Son.

Source: DEFM

The original entry from Dictionary of English Furniture Makers, 1660-1840 can be found at British History Online.