On this day...

Two hundred and sixty years ago on this day, 25th December 1758, John Mayhew and William Ince officially entered into their partnership in the trade or Business of an Upholder and Cabinet Maker.  It lasted well beyond the twenty-one years written into their agreement, as acknowledged in the agreement of 21st December 1799 which was all about how they would end the partnership.  Sadly, it was not until around 1824 that a financial settlement was reached as recorded in my book William Ince, Cabinet Maker.  This date is confirmed by the fact that William’s son Frederick, my great great great grand-father set off for America in October 1824, almost certainly because he finally had enough money to pay for his passage. 

I am hoping to add an extra chapter to the book soon, detailing Frederick’s adventures in Virginia, with the young woman he travelled out with, and the story of the family he left behind and how they eventually brought Frederick to account.  A story found in the wonderful letters written by Frederick to his family,  owned by a distant cousin, Nigel Ince.

Happy Christmas to all the Ince cousins – all around the globe!

Signatures on the 1799 Agreement