"WILLIAM TAYLOR, the Original Windsor Chair-maker, No.11, WESTGATE, GRANTHAM returns thanks for the very liberal encouragement he has for several years experienced at Stow Green Fair, and informs his friends and the public in general, he will have an assortment of Yew and other Windsor Chairs at the above fair, on the 2d and 3d of July, when orders will be thankfully received. Observe, none are his make but those marked "Taylor's, Grantham," on the seat. Turning executed to order, all sorts of spinning wheels made and repaired, screws cut for benches, cheese and other presses, on the shortest notice."
This is the the very first indication of how a Grantham chair maker was able to show his chairs to the public.
WS 167 Taylors Grantham |
When I first read this I assumed William Taylor was referring to the Stow village which is about 10 miles north of Lincoln but on further investigation I discovered a fascinating event much closer to Grantham.
The village of Stow no longer exists but is marked by a plaque in a corner of a field about one mile south of Threekingham, 8 miles south of Sleaford and ten miles east of Grantham. In the 18th & 19th centuries the grass area around Stow was turned into a small town as it had a licence for a annual market which was granted in the 13th century. The picture above shows part of the grass field (which has a preservation order on it) where this huge fair was held. On the sky line is the spire of Threekingham church . The chair in the picture is signed TAYLORS GRANTHAM and there is the intriguing possibility that this very chair was taken to this very spot over 200 years ago to be sold by William Taylor. Ponder this thought as well: would he have seen Thomas Marsh of Sleaford and Richard Hubbard of Grantham at the fair trying to sell their chairs as well? For more information on this fair please click on the following link.
When I first read this I assumed William Taylor was referring to the Stow village which is about 10 miles north of Lincoln but on further investigation I discovered a fascinating event much closer to Grantham.
The village of Stow no longer exists but is marked by a plaque in a corner of a field about one mile south of Threekingham, 8 miles south of Sleaford and ten miles east of Grantham. In the 18th & 19th centuries the grass area around Stow was turned into a small town as it had a licence for a annual market which was granted in the 13th century. The picture above shows part of the grass field (which has a preservation order on it) where this huge fair was held. On the sky line is the spire of Threekingham church . The chair in the picture is signed TAYLORS GRANTHAM and there is the intriguing possibility that this very chair was taken to this very spot over 200 years ago to be sold by William Taylor. Ponder this thought as well: would he have seen Thomas Marsh of Sleaford and Richard Hubbard of Grantham at the fair trying to sell their chairs as well? For more information on this fair please click on the following link.
WS 167 Taylors Grantham with 2 friends, WS 123 T Simpson, Boston on the right and WS 29 Marsh of Sleaford on the left |
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