Strawbridge, Thomas, London(?), u and chairmaker (1691). Two bills survive in the Stoneleigh Abbey archives, one dated 4 April 1691 and the other 30 August 1691. Both concern goods supplied to Theophilus Leigh by this maker. The earlier bill totals £5 1s but the latter was for a number of very substantial commissions and amounted to £113 15s 10d. In the main the items listed were upholstery materials and twelve days labour but some finished furniture was also included. The most interesting item was a charge of £7 10s for four back stools and two elbow chairs ‘black varnished’ and upholstered in crimson damask. In a sale of contents from Stoneleigh Abbey in October 1981 a set of four japanned side chairs were offered for sale. These had contemporary polychrome leather coverings but might possibly be the set supplied by Strawbridge. A further set of six chairs of William and Mary period en suite with the other but in crimson damask are also possibly by this maker. [Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Leigh receipts, DR 18/5/1030; Christie's, 15–16 October 1981, lots 100–01]