Richadson & Sons, Cabinet Makers
A note from the obituary 22/7/1907 of his son William Richardson
of Linden Villas, the Park, states that:-
Thomas Richardson started his cabinet making in Dagger Lane Hull
in 1812 and move to Bond Street in 1866. with works in
Albion St.and Waltham St. and timber yard in Baker St.
however the census shows it was a early as 1840.
1816 Holy Trinity church christening records
Henry christening father Thomas Richardson cabinet maker Castle st.
And 1818 Cabinet maker, Myton district
1822 directory
Smith's Place, Castle St.
1829 Pigots Directory Cabinet Makers
Thomas Richardson Smiths' Place
1833 directory by Edward Baines
Thomas Richardson,(and Wm Smith) Cab mkr. of Cockpit Yard, 6 Castle St.
1834 Smiths' Place , Castle St
1838 directory by Willian White
Thomas Richardson Smith's Place
Joseph Richardson 19 Bowl Alley Lane
Richardson and Spencer 19 Bowl Alley Lane
1840 Trade directory shows
Richardson and Son at 34 Bond St,
1851 General Directory and Topography of Hull
Richardson and Sons 33,34,35 bond St
Cabinet makers, unholsterers, Undertakers
Hull packet 20 oct 1854
Visit of Prince Albert
Amongst the more prominent decorations were;
BOND STREET
Messrs Richardson and Sons, upholsterers, had their large establishment
ornamented with Laurel leaves, illuminated stars, &c.,
and also a full length portsait of her Majesty.
1855 Melville's Directory , Carvers and Gilders
Richardson and Sons 33-35 Bond Street
Hull Packet 3rd Aug 1860
On Saterday last Messrs Richardson and sons,Cabinet Manufacturers,
and upholsterers, bond Street, afforded thier workmen, upwards of one hundred,
the pleasure of a trip to Bridlington Quay, where they were regaled with a
substantial repast, to which they did every justice, and returned in the evening.
1961 census
33-35 Bond Street shop only
Probably following the death of Thomas Richardson Snr
circa 1855 the 3 brothers moved to Belgrave Terrace.
Hull Packet 10 oct 1862
Hull General Infermary
the comittee of maagment beg to express thier gratfull acknowlegments
for the reciept of the sum of �43 16s 5d
---: Messrs J Richardson and Sons �2 16s 88d
(also made donations of
�2 16s in jan 1868
�4 8s 4d in dec 1869 )
Hull packet 5th June 1863
Funeral of S H Egington
the undertakers were Messrs Richardson and Sons, Hull
Hull Packet 19 may 1865
Workmen and their Employees
On Saterday last a handsome silver trowel was presented to
Mr Joseph Richardson of the firm Richardson and Sons, Bond Street,
on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of new workshops
behind thier premisses in Bond Street.
The presentation was accompanied by an address by one of thier employees
on behalf of the others. It expressed thier deep appreciation not only of the progress
which the business of the establishment had made, but also the good will of the employees.
They wished the firm success in their present undertaking, and a long life
to reap the benifit of thir business.
Mr Richardson made an appropriate reply, after which the men and their friends
partook of a dinner provided by Messtrs Richardson and Sons.
february 1871 undertakers for Robert Wells, town Clerk
5thmay 1871
Tender for Funiture to School board
Being the only firm to present a sample as reqired
Messrs Richardson and sons Tender recommed for acceptance
Hull Packet 2nd April 1875
Funeral of Miss Sykes
Messrs Richardson & Sons, undertakers, Bond St. Hull
1892 directory has 85 and 35 Bond St
1892 Bulmers Street diectory
Richardson and Sons Cabinet Makers
31-35 Bond St.
Richardson and sons Cabinet works
Lt. Albion St.
Also
William Richadson 63 Spring Bank
W. Richardson Timber Yard Baker St./Union St.
From Bulmers Gazetter 1892
The importation of wood goods has, irrespective of the building
requirements of the town, been favourable to the development of
the furniture trade, and for many years first-class cabinet making
firms have produced goods fully equal to the best made
London furniture. The principal firm is that of
Messrs. Richardson & Sons, in Bond Street, reputed to be the largest
in the kingdom
by 1851 its clear the Firm of Richardson and sons had become a major player
in the supply of high class furniture by expansion in bond street.
an further enhanced from about 1855 by patronage of Sir Clifford and Lady Constable
(a seal of approval as good locally as by Royal appointment?)
Following the deah of Lady constable, in 1862, the Richardson's good fortune was
further enhanced by Constable's new Mistress "Lady Rosina" who is said to have spent �11,000 with the firm
to furnish Dunbar House her "Love Nest" in Twickenham, London.
An indication as to her extravigance with Richardson on Sons came to light in 1871
, following the death of Sir Clifford Coustable,
when it became clear that Contstable Estate was near to Bankrupsy.
An a Chancery Hearing followed to apportion debts between Lady Rosina and
Sir Cliffords Heirs.
At Which the many trade suppliers where forced to provide a detailed account
of items supplied.
Note: more about The Constable court case can be found in
Buton Constable Hall, by Ivan and Elizabeth Hall ISBN 1-872167-22-5
from Hutton Press and Hull City Museums and Art Galleries
EXTRACT
1863 History of Hull by Sheahan
To the credit of Hull we must place the largest furniture
manufactory in the kingdom
Mrssr. Richardson and Sons, Bond St.
Every article of first class furniture, suitable either for
the church, the palace or the mansion , is designed and
manufactered here from the rough log, and carried out to
the utmost finish and polish; and it is a somewhat remarkable
circumstance that mansions are furnished by the Messrs. Richardson,
not only in every part of this kingdom; but in many parts of the
European and American continents.
The business was founded in 1812 by the late Mr. Richardson,
who is reputed to have been one of the best cabinet makers
of the day, and who procured for his 3 sons
( the members of the present firm)
the means of aquiring a practicle knowledge of every department
of the furnishing trade.
Hence the superior excellence of this establishment.
The premises consists chiefly of four blocks of buildings,
extending backwards from Bond street to Waltham Street.
Three of these blocks are three stories in height.
The front cabinet showrooms measure above a 1000 square feet
and the two upper stories, which contain galleries, are lighted
by a glass dome.
In allusion to the stock in this establishment, a writer,
a few years ago said that
"For quality variety and richness,
it bears the palm of excellence over all others.
The showrooms (he adds) may be termed couriosities
of the industrial arts for they contain specimins of
the carvers skills that astonish by their marvellous beauty,
and comprise every article, we should imagine,
that invention has furnished, in cabinet goods,
from the earliest to the present times."
We must certainly endorse this extract. The stock is now too most extensive
and superb in every department.
The factory at the rear of the ware-rooms , is repleat with
excellent machinery, much of which is peculiar to the establishment,
having been either invented or improved by the proprietors themselves
The number of hands employed by Mrssr. Richardson,
including upholsteres, carvers, Gilders, Polishers, Painters, Decorators,
Paper hangers etc amount to at least 150.
The Firm had the range of skills, materials and machinery for large
and prestigious undertakings, including the Council Chamber of Hull's Town Hall
in 1863.
My thanks to Arthur G. Gredland of Hull Museums for the above article
from his book Artists and Craftsmen of Hull ISBN 0-904490-23-8
Search of will and probate 1858-1864 no sign of Thomas
which suggests he died 1851-1857
or has retired away from HULL
Thomas (junior) found but Henry's death is recorded
in family bible as 1907 but where? or was this confused with William
Thomas Richardson and Sons furnished the
"Throne Room" of the Station Hotel for the Royal Visit of
Queen Victoria in 1854 and was according to Bulmers Gazetter 1892 was
"One of the largest upholsterers
and funiture manufacturers in England."
Thanks to Genuki and the various contibutors who have transcribed
local street directories
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/HullStreets.html
