Willis, John, St Paul's Churchyard, London, cm and u (1730– d. 1797). The length of operation of this business suggests that there were two John Willis's possibly father and son. In 1730 the address was at the sign of ‘The Elephant & Castle’, St Paul's Churchyard and insurance cover of £500 taken out on 7 December included £400 for household goods and stock-in-trade and £100 for glass. In 1754 subscribed to Chippendale's Director. The John Willis who in 1761 took out a licence to employ two non-freemen for three months was a member of the Joiners’ Co. In 1765 the business was trading at the sign of ‘The Feather & Ball’ and from 1768 the number 19 St Paul's Churchyard was used. At this period insurance cover was £600 though by 1791 this had risen to £1,000.

The commissions received by this business suggest that it was of some importance and reputation. In 1734 George Bowes of Gibside, Co. Durham paid for furniture received from this maker. A four seater and two three seater Windsor settees and eight single chairs were charged at £5 8s. These were despatched from London on the vessel Thomas & Francis and George Bowes records the payment of an additional 2s 6d for ‘waterage & drink money to the Ship's Crew’. This maker was probably the John Willis who in 1745 supplied 24 Virginia walnut leather covered chairs and two matching double chair back settees to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. They were covered with black Spanish leather and brass nailed. The chairs were charged at £1 2s each and the settees at £3 6s each and a 14s charge was recorded for carriage. The chairs less their original upholstery survive and are in the Gallery of the College. In 1752–53 John Willis was one of the craftsmen supplying furniture to the new Mansion House in London. [D; GL, Sun MS vol. 33, ref. 52540; vol. 327, p. 500; vol. 375, p. 179; Hand in Hand MS vol. 102, p. 116; City Licence bk, vol. 2; Gents Mag., April 1797; Durham RO, D/St/V1390; Emmanual College archives, BUR. 0.8; Conn., December 1952, p. 181]