Listed in directory after death - looking for a second opinion

[Jenny Wood]

Hi,

I have a small puzzle I suspect I know the answer to but would like some other opinions.

I have a Harrison Thwaites (died bef 6 Oct 1788). I know this because his will which I have a copy of was granted probate on this date.  He is described in his will as being of Sion College Gardens and being a feather merchant.  He didn't have a son, only a daughter and left everything to her in trust of her mother. 

I have found him in several London directories of the time with a description matching the will - but the entries continue for at least two years after his death and have an end range of 12 years after his death (see below).

The question is should I be perturbed by the directory listings continuing and look for some other cause or should I assume that either the directory companies were lazy or someone kept the company trading for that duration under his name?

Jenny.

Name:    Harrison Thwaites
Dates:    1776-1800 
Location:    London 
Occupation:    ware house commerce(s) 
Gender:    Male 
Address:    Address(es): Sion college gardens, London
 
Occupation:    Occupation(s): ware house, commerce(s), italian
 
Source Date:    1790 
Source Info:    Listed in Lowndes's London Directory for 1790 ... 29th Edition, 1790, LOWNDES, W.. London
 
Name:    Harrison Thwaites
Dates:    1776-1800 
Location:    London 
Occupation:    ware house commerce(s) 
Gender:    Male 
Address:    Address(es): Sion college gardens, Aldermanbury, London
 
Occupation:    Occupation(s): ware house, commerce(s), italian
 
Source Date:    1790 
Source Info:    Listed in Bailey's London Directory; or, Merchants' & Traders' Useful Companion, for the year 1790 ... 5th Edition, 1790, BAILEY. London 

Name:    Harrison Thwaites
Dates:    1776-1800 
Location:    London 
Occupation:    manufacturer of ostrich feathers manufacturer of artificial flowers clothing(m) toy making(a) 
Gender:    Male 
Address:    Address(es): Sion college, Aldermanbury, London
 
Occupation:    Occupation(s): manufacturer of ostrich feathers, clothing(m)
manufacturer of artificial flowers, toy making(a)
 
Source Date:    1790 
Source Info:    Listed in Wakefield's Merchant and Tradesman's General Directory for London, [1790], WAKEFIELD. London

[Little Nell]

Ok, I'll risk it and be first .

I suspect that at that time (late 18th century) it was not a good thing for a woman to be in trade, and a widow to boot.  She was probably perfectly capable of running the business but chose to appoint managers instead as being the best way to deal with the situation.  Perhaps the bank manager would only deal with a man? or even whoever he traded with. It may also have kept unscrupulous competitors from trying to take over - if there were such things in the feather business!  I don't think you need to look for anything more sinister than that.

Nell

[minime]

I agree with Nell. I think she kept the name to keep the business going and support herself and her daughter. Rather a smart move on her part. 

I know that in a couple of older directories over here in the US..I've found deceased relatives...but their wives just kept it that way. Guess it must've been easier for them to do that back then.


Minime

[RJ_Paton]

It's also possible that even if the widow had sold off the business that the new owners would have kept the name going especially if it was a well respected name in the business. This would give the impression that the buyers were dealing with someone who knew the business and was well established and trusted within that business.

[JillJ]

I wouldn't worry about it at all - there are many and varied reasons why the company name would be retained after the death of the founder.   

I have a company, founded in 1834 by my husband's g.g. grandfather, which passed to his son, but continued to trade in the father's name until after the death of the son in 1913.   Over the next 20 years the trade directories all showed - in brackets and very small writing underneath the company name -the name of the 'successor', who also had his own company, and then the two companies were merged under one name.

Jill

[Jenny Wood]

Thanks for the above.  I really appreciate the help.  It actually makes sense that she (or the trustees) ran the company up until her daughter got married about 1800.  I'll see whether I can confirm that in some way. 

Jenny

[minime]

Glad we could be of service.  Keep us posted.

Minime