Wood, Richard

York; carpenter, joiner and cabinet maker (fl. 1726–72)

App. to Thomas Raper, carpenter of York for seven years on 18 October 1721. In 1726 he was admitted a freeman as a carpenter. He traded from an address at Spurriergate from 1738 but in 1759 also had property in the Shambles. Although in July 1738 he described himself as a cm he conducted a varied trade. In 1738 he was advertising for sale ‘All Sizes of Crown-Glass, all Sorts of Flint Glass and Glass Bottles … at the same Price as at the Glass-House’. Three years later he was offering for sale ‘Nails and Hinges, Cheap as from the Maker, Brass and Mortice Locks, Iron rim'd and Wood Stock-Locks, Brass Work, and Locks for Cabinet Work, and all other Sorts of Birmingham and Sheffield Goods’. He did however also mention ‘Mahogany and Walnut Tree Cabinet Work, Tables and Chairs of all Sorts &c &c.’ In 1754 he subscribed to eight copies of the Director. There are other connections between this maker and Thomas Chippendale. William Benson who was app. to Richard Wood in 1740 moved to London to become Chippendale's foreman while another app. John Walkington, who was bound to Wood in 1736, was a subscriber to the Director. Other apps of Richard Wood were John Lidgley in 1743, William Brown and George Hornley in 1752 and Samuel Proctor in 1753. In August 1771 supplied ‘a fine Bookcase lock’ and six other locks and escutcheons to Sir Rowland Winn, total cost £1 18s 6d. Later, in December 1771 he wrote that ‘by the order of Mr Chippendale’ he had ‘got ye Glass Silvered & forward it to Ferrybridge’. These documents reinforce the notion that a relationship existed between Wood and Chippendale. In characteristic fashion, Sir Rowland Winn disputed both bills. In June 1772 his stock was advertised for sale following his death.

Source: DEFM; Gilbert, ‘New Light on the Furnishing of Nostell Priory’, Furniture History (1990).