Porter, Samuel

Exeter, Devon; upholsterer, property agent and auctioneer (b.1789–d.1830)

In August 1815 Porter was a foreman in the upholstery branch of Carter & Son when he married Ann Way at St Mary Major.

In April 1817 he set up his own business from his home in Friernhay Street as an upholsterer and stated that ‘Paper hangings, Prints, Fringes and other Materials required in furnishing he will shortly be enabled to offer on most reasonable terms by Agency, from the best London Manufacturers’.

By 1823 he was trading from 206 High Street and in addition to his work as an upholsterer he acted as a house and property agent and auctioneer. His trade card is in the Johnson Collection, Bodleian Library.

Porter's bankruptcy was announced in April 1828 and he moved to Martins Lane where he died in 1830, aged 41. His widow Ann continued the business from their premises in Castle Street.

Sources: DEFM; Stabler, ‘Furniture Makers' Trade-Cards and Bill-Heads in the John Johnson Collection’, FHS Newsletter (May 2007).