King, William

Lancaster, Lancs., cabinet maker (app.1782)

William King of Burton-in-Lonsdale was apprenticed to William Bruce, cabinetmaker of Lancaster on 19 January 1782. He became a Lancaster freeman in 1789-90. He began working for Gillows as soon as his apprenticeship was completed since his name first appears on Gillows’ payroll for the week of 20 January 1789, with the annotation 'Wm King to [?] Wm. Beard'. He earned between 1gn and £1 11s 6d during the next few weeks. He was listed in the Gillow’s Petty Ledger for 1790-91. He made all types of furniture including a ‘vase shaped dressing glass’, circular card tables, a fire screen and a wardrobe with a 'Quaker inside’. This is conceivably the same man who was in business in Whitehaven by 1793.

Source: Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840 (2008), II, p. 254.