Stephens, John

London; upholder (f. 1750–93)

The son of the innkeeper, Thomas Stephens of Windsor, Berkshire, apprenticed to to Charles Grange on 4 October 1750 and made free of the Upholders’ Company by servitude on 2 March 1758 [Guildhall Library (GL), Upholders' Company records, MS 6561, f. 100].

Stephens bound John Smith as apprentice on 3 October 1765. he was subsequently turned over to Henry Ladyman and made free in 1772.

Traded at 71 Fleet Market, 1765–70, and in 1765 was fined for declining parochial office in the parish of St Bride, Fleet Street.

In 1770 he moved to 127 Houndsditch where he remained until at least 1773. During this period he took out licences to employ non-freemen with as many as twelve being employed for three months in 1772 [City Licence books, vol. 7].

Some time after 1773 he left London and is shown living at Romford, Essex, 1778–82; Bedfont, Middlesex, 1784–86; and Bath, Somerset in 1793.

Source: DEFM