Francis Smith
Furniture maker
Cabinetmakers and upholsterers Francis and James Smith followed the trade of their father, Thomas, and were in partnership until 1877. Francis (1838–1921) continued business under the former name and at the existing premises at the corner of Union Street and Gordon Street in Glasgow. By 1881, he employed 60 men, 30 women and apprentices. 1
The workshop was sold in 1891. It was built in 1873 'to plans by John Honeyman F.R.I.B.A. It is thoroughly substantial and consists of seven [floors], of 50,000 square feet ... with [a] hydraulic elevator'. 2 The five-day removal sale described the shop fittings: 'fine mahogany wall shelves, mahogany and walnut double show doors ... life size French bronze statuette with timepiece' and enumerated the stock: '200 pairs window curtains (tapestry, Arras, Plushette) ... painted mantel borders ... twenty-five drawing room cabinets ... satinwood, ebonised and gilt ... thirty-seven bedroom suites in walnut [and] pollard oak'. 3
The firm moved to 78 Gordon Street in 1893 where trading commenced under the name of 'Francis Smith' and specialised in 'library and office furniture, revolving bookcases, consulting tables, club chairs, office desks'. 4 The firm moved again around the turn of the century to St Vincent Street. Smith himself lived in Bothwell, Lanarkshire. 5 His sons Ernest and Herbert continued trading until their own heirs sold the business in 1952. 6
Notes:
1: Edinburgh Gazette, 4 September 1877, p. 662; birth, death and census information, www.ancestry.co.uk [accessed 28 August 2012] and www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk [accessed 4 October 2012]; Scotsman, 18 July 1891, p. 3; Glasgow Post Office directories, 1870–1911.
2: Scotsman, 18 July 1891, p. 3; 26 October 1891, p. 11.
3: Scotsman, 7 May 1892, p. 15.
4: Glasgow Herald, 25 July 1893, p. 1; 22 September 1893, p. 1.
5: Glasgow Post Office directories, 1870–1911.
6: Edinburgh Gazette, 31 March 1925, p. 385; 2 May 1952, p. 259.
