Well spotted, Sandblown. Thanks for that.
William Winks was, indeed, a builder but, to my knowledge, only after c1846. Up until then he had been a baker (!) - shown on children's baptisms (up to 1844) and 1841 census. The first confirmed records I have of him as a builder are in 1847 (daughter's marriage) and the surveyors reports for Chelsea (1846). The first work that appears there is a minor one: "pulling down and rebuilding external wall” in Lower Church Street, which is next to Danvers Street. It is in the latter that he undertakes his biggest project - 12 houses that are still there. In fact he will reside and die there. There are other references e.g. a court case for theft from a builder named William Winks in 1841. He does give his address in Royal Hospital Row, which would confirm him as the same but, of course, this conflicts with the records as a baker. Also, the Winks Buildings existed before 1834 and were, by all accounts, of an extremely poor standard, while the Danvers Street houses are of high quality. There is reference to work being done in Battersea, in partnership with a George Bass, but in 1848.
You mention work as a builder in the 1830's. If you have found something to that effect could you give me the reference/link?
Cheers
