Lawford Links with the Drapers' Company 1725 - 1950s
Lawford links to the Drapers’ Company from C18th by Nigel Lawford 2014 1. The Lawford links in the 18C began with Valentine who was apprenticed in 1725 to a draper called Martha Ellison – a woman, please note. ·Married an heiress in 1739 and ·Became a Clerk of the South Sea Company – Chief Clerk of the Old Annuities - & added this position to his trade activities. · Built up a portfolio of around 30 properties in London. · Rose to be Master of Drapers in 1775 and · Died in 1783 · The Draper links were continued by his three sons, most notably Samuel who is our common ancestor. Samuel was · Born 1749 and · Admitted to Drapers as Apothecary by trade in 1773. · He married his heiress in 1775 and · Built up his property portfolio branching out to Wales. · Became Master of Drapers in 1809 and · Died in 1835 · Samuel brought his sons into the company over time and by January...