Powell, Thomas, Eastgate St, Chester, u, appraiser and auctioneer (1756–1808). App. to John Bridge of Chester, u and free on 18 April 1756. Shown trading on his own behalf in Eastgate St by 1781. He entered local politics at an early stage and in 1762 was elected a councilman. In 1788 he was elected Alderman and in 1790 became Mayor of the city. The auctioneering side of the business was of some importance, and sales were conducted not only in his own county, but also in north Shropshire. He had agents from whom sale catalogues could be obtained in Whitchurch, Salop, Wrexham, Clwyd and Neston, Cheshire. By 1796 his son had joined him in the business and from thence to 1808 it traded as Thomas Powell & Son. He supplied carpets in July 1796 to Sir John Leicester of Tabley Hall, Knutsford, Cheshire, amounting to £47 10s. [D; poll bks; freemen rolls; Chester RO, names index and Leicester papers; Chester Chronicle, 26 April 1782]