Ward, Thomas, 78 Margaret St, Cavendish Sq., London, cm and upholder (1773–80). A maker of considerable consequence although his name does not appear in London trade directories of the period. The business was also probably substantial in size though insurance records refer only to property. In 1779 he took out cover of £1,200 on houses and in 1781 £1,100. He attracted many patrons of note. On 27 November 1773 Sir Edward Knatchbull, of Mersham-le-Hatch, Kent paid Ward £56 10s. In the same year furniture was supplied to Sherborne Castle, Dorset for the Digby family. A payment of £41 2s was made to Ward for this in 1774. Very substantial commissions were undertaken at Petworth House, Sussex from January 1774 to December of the same year. Items supplied included mahogany commodes, dressing chairs, a sofa and a couch. The total cost came to £621 17s 5d. On 8 June 1775 Ward invoiced three giltwood window seats to the 5th Baron Langdale of Holme near York. These had scroll ends and French cabriole legs and were covered in damask. The cost including packing was £12 11s 1d and this was settled on 19 August. These seats and the original invoice were offered in Sotheby sales in March 1959 and July 1961. There is the possibility that Ward supplied furniture to the Duke of Northumberland as his name is included in a list of furniture makers compiled by the Duchess c. 1776. In October 1779 an inlaid sideboard cistern was supplied to Sir Richard Hoare at a cost of £15 11s 6d. [GL, Sun MS vol. 272, p. 462; vol. 275, p. 210; vol. 282, p. 99; Kent RO, U951 A 19/2; Digby family papers; V&A archives; Apollo, May 1977, p. 366; Sotheby's, 13 March 1959, lot 113, 14 July 1961, lot 125; Gilbert, Chippendale, p. 154; Hoare's Bank MS]