Spencer, Joseph

Belgrave and Humberstone Gate, Leicester, Leicestershire; upholsterer (fl. 1788–1826)

Apprenticed to the upholsterer, Mark Oliver of Leicester and by March 1788 had opened a shop at Belgrave Gate.

Billheads for 1806 and 1809 (John Johnson Collection, Bodleian Library, Oxford) are printed ‘SPENCER, JOSEPH (late Oliver & Iron)’ with an address at Humberstone Gate. Bound as apprentice Thomas Atkins who was made free in 1826.

Joseph Spencer's eldest son was declared free in 1825 but he did not follow his father's trade.

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