General Chat

Going back a few generations I have had chair makers from Wycombe in the family.
From what my Nan has told me a business was going on until at least 1911.

Is there a way to find out if such a business existed and was is sold or taken over ?

Any advice appreciated

what's the family name?

Hi Kim

Lots of chairmakers on-line or Ancestry

1911 Census
Here's a family name

STRATFORD MARY F 1855 56 Wycombe Buckinghamshire
STRATFORD EARNEST CLARLES M 1895 16 Wycombe Buckinghamshire
Mau

Hi
The family name is Harris and it's a Jabez Harris that is named in the Kelly's directories

1881 - this could well be a connection

William HAZELL Head M Male 34 High Wycombe Traveller
Evaline HAZELL Wife M Female 27 London, London, Middlesex, England
Elizath.E. HAZELL Daur U Female 7 High Wycombe Scholar
Louisa A. HAZELL Daur U Female 4 High Wycombe Scholar
Richard W. WHY Lodger U Male 36 Fingest, Buckingham, England Chair Maker
Jabez HARRIS Lodger U Male 32 West Wycombe Polisher Cane


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Dwelling Vine Terrace
Census Place Wycombe, Buckingham, England
Family History Library Film 1341354
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 1463 / 59
Page Number 33

1881 - this too!!!

James HARRIS Head M Male 55 West Wycombe Chair Maker Washwork Cane
Harriet HARRIS Wife M Female 46 High wycombe
Mary Ann HARRIS Daur U Female 17 High Wycombe Chair Caner
James HARRIS Son U Male 24 High Wycombe Works At Gas Works
Harriet HARRIS Daur U Female 23 High Wycombe
Elizabeth HARRIS Daur U Female 21 West Wycombe Chair Caner
Jabez HARRIS Son Male 14 High Wycombe Chair Maker


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Dwelling Desborough Street
Census Place Wycombe, Buckingham, England
Family History Library Film 1341355
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 1464 / 103
Page Number 73

JABEZ HARRIS Pedigree
Male


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening: 30 NOV 1823 West Wycombe, Buckingham, England

Death:
Burial:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parents:
Father: MATTHIAS HARRIS Family
Mother: JANE

JABEZ HARRIS Pedigree
Male Family


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening:
Death:
Burial:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriages:
Spouse: SUSANNAH HARDING Family
Marriage: 13 JUN 1825 West Wycombe, Buckingham, England

JABEZ HARRIS Pedigree
Male


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening: 16 MAY 1832 West Wycombe, Buckingham, England

Death:
Burial:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parents:
Father: JABEZ HARRIS Family
Mother: SUSANNAH

Hi Kim,
My gr grandfather was chair manfacturer in high wycombe, so was his son in law.
lynn

High Wycombe is famous for chair making and by extension furniture making and many companies e.g. Ercol are still based in or near the town. A lot of the workers were what was known as "bodgers", mainly people working from home turning chair legs on lathes (often their wives / daughters were lace or needle makers, also working from home).

You could try the museum in High Wycombe (google it) or the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies via www.buckscc.gov.uk

There is also some info about the industry on the Wycombe district council website:
http://www.wycombe.gov.uk/sitePages.asp?step=4&contentID=173&categoryID=1106

I grew up in wycombe and one of my school prjects was to name furniture makers, I came up with over 50 so really was big on furniture makers from the big ones like Ercol and Gplan to smaller ones.

Good luck.

d xx

Hi

It looks like you've been given quite a bit of information already but I just wanted to say that I live in High Wycombe so if I can be of any help please let me know :)

Elaine

I HAVE COLLINS FAMILY BUCKS
CHAIR MAKERS

Some years ago, we were acquaintances of a Mr Ercolani, who was the owner of the Ercol furniture factory.
Seems the family originally came from Italy.

Mo

My gr gr grandfather was Samuel Webb when he retired the business was sold but I dont know who too.
lynn

I have sent a pm to Kim