Willis, John

St Paul's Churchyard, London; cabinet maker and upholsterer (1730– d. 1797)

There may have been two John Willis's and possibly father and son. 

In 1730 the address was at the sign of ‘The Elephant & Castle’, St Paul's Churchyard. Insurance cover of £500 was purchased on 7 December included £400 for household goods and stock-in-trade and £100 for glass.

In 1754 he 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’ Company [City License bk, vol. 2].

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, County 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 dispatched from London on the vessel Thomas & Francis and George Bowes. There was an an additional payment of  2s 6d for ‘waterage & drink money to the Ship's Crew’ [Durham Record Office, D/St/V1390].
• in 1745 it was probably John Willis who 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 [Emmanuel College archives, BUR. 0.8].
• In 1752–53 John Willis was one of the craftsmen supplying furniture to the new Mansion House in London. 

Sources: DEFM; Gents Magazine, April 1797; Connoisseur, December 1952, p. 181; TLA, Sun MS vol. 33, ref. 52540; vol. 327, p. 500; vol. 375, p. 179; Sun MS vol. 33, ref. 52540; vol. 327, p. 500; vol. 375, p. 179.