It looks as if, in the first half of the nineteenth century, it was more
common for people to advertise for employment than for employers to
advertise for staff. Many people would give the name and address of a local
businessman for any responses - perhaps to hide their advertisement from an
existing employer; perhaps because they were staying at temporary lodging
houses.
Joseph Dunford (1795-1871)
A search of The Times Archive threw up a whole series of
WANT PLACES advertisements referring to a "Mr Dunford" of Little
Chesterfield Street, Marylebone. Most of these predate census records, but
the 1841 census shows that a grocer called
Dunford was living at this address.
Although this particular census shows "John" as his Christian name, other
records indicate that the head of the family was "Joseph Dunford"
(see the left-hand tree, above).
His son, another Joseph Dunford, was living with him in 1841. He is
described as an apprentice Harness-maker.
WANT PLACES
1826As Housemaid where a footman is kept, a respectable young Woman who can work well with her
needle: she lived 2 years in her last place. Direct to E.S. at Mr. Dunford's, 2, Little Chesterfield-street,
Marylebone. No officekeeper need apply.
The Times, Monday, Jul 03, 1826; pg. 4; Issue 13009; col C
1827A Man and his Wife, without incumbrance, each aged under 40: the man as Indoor Servant,
and the woman as Cook. They are both active, understands[sic] their business in all its branches,
and can manage a family with economy. No objection to town or country, but would prefer the latter,
having lived there the last 6 years. Can have an unquestionable character from the place they have
just left. The man can brew if required. Direct to S.A. at Mr. Dunford's, 2, Little Chesterfield-street,
Marylebone.
The Times, Thursday, Feb 15, 1827; pg. 4; Issue 13203; col D
1832As Housemaid in a gentleman's family where a footman is kept, a young woman,
age 28, who can have a good character from the place she is about to leave:
understands her business in all its branches. Direct to E.S. at Mr. Dunford's, grocer, 2, Chesterfield-street,
Marylebone. No officekeeper need apply.
The Times, Thursday, Sep 06, 1832; pg. 4; Issue 14950; col E
1835As Plain Cook, or Cook and Housekeeper to a single gentleman of widower with a small family,
a respectable middle-aged woman who has been unsuccessful in business, and has previously
lived in gentlemen's service. No objection to a respectable tradesman's family.
Direct to D.W., Mr. Dunford's, grocer, 2, Little Chesterfield-street, Great Marylebone-street.
The Times, Thursday, May 28, 1835; pg. 4; Issue 15802; col D
1835As Housekeeper to a single gentleman or a widower (to take charge of his family), a
middle aged woman who has been unsuccessful in business, and can have a respectable
recommendation. Direct to H.S., Dunford's, grocer, 2, Chesterfield-street, St. Marylebone.
The Times, Monday, Oct 05, 1835; pg. 8; Issue 15912; col A
1842As Light Porter, a young man, who knows town well, and is willing to make himself generally
useful. Can have a good character from his last place, where he lived nearly two years. Direct to
A.S., Mr Dunford's, 2, Little Chesterfield-street, Marylebone.
The Times, Wednesday, Apr 06, 1842;
pg. 8; Issue 17950; col A
At this point the advertisements cease. The next trace of Joseph Dunford
is the 1851 census, where he is still a grocer, at the same address.
Boarding with him is one James R Dunford, born about 1799, a Saddler and
Harness-maker. He appears to be the eldest son of
Francis Dunford, in the
right hand tree, above.
Within four years Joseph had fallen on hard times and was being held in
a Debtor's Prison.
COURT FOR RELIEF OF INSOLVENT DEBTORS.
Saturday the 17th day of March, 1855.
ORDERS have been made, vesting in the Provisional Assignee the Estates and
Effects of the following Persons:
On their own Petitions.
Joseph Dunford, late of No. 2, Little Chesterfield Street, Portland Place, Middlesex,
Grocer, Tea Dealer, and General-shop Keeper. - In the Debtors'
Prison for London and Middlesex.
London Gazette 20 March 1855. Page 29 of 32
By 1861 Joseph and his family were living in Cranford and he was working as a
Harness-maker. He was still living there in 1871, when he was described as a
retired Groom. He died that year at the age of 75.
Henry Dunford (1806-1876) and James Dunford (1799-1866)
Henry and
James Dunford (sons of Francis Dunford) appear to have gone
into business together: Pigot's Directory of London and its Suburbs of 1839
shows "Dunford, Jas. & Henry, saddlers, 35 East st, Portman sq.". The Post Office Directory of 1841
also shows "Dunford,
James & Henry, saddlers &c" at 35 East Street, Manchester Square.
Frustratingly, I've not been able to find an 1841 census record to match
this.
WANT PLACES
1838As Coachman, or Groom, a steady young man who has no objection to town or country, and can have
a good character from the situation he has left for capability and honesty. Direct to R.E.,
Mr. Dunford's, 35, East-street, Manchester-square.
The Times, Wednesday, Aug 15, 1838;
pg. 8; Issue 16808; col A
The June edition of the Post Office London Directory 1846 includes:
Dunford Jas. & Hen. saddlers, &c, 31 Paddington st.
WANT PLACES
1845As Groom, or Groom and Valet, or to drive a one-horse Brougham, a young
man, age 21. Can have an unexceptionable character from the gentleman he has
just left. Direct to C.S. Mr Dunford's saddler, 31, Paddington-street,
Marylebone.
The Times, Tuesday, Sep 30, 1845;
pg. 16; Issue 19042; col A
1846As Coachman, a steady-aged married man, without encumbrance, who perfectly understands
his business, and has no objection to town or country. Can have five years' good character.
Direct to W.W., Mr. Dunford's, saddler, 31, Paddington-street, Marylebone.
The Times, Wednesday, Jun 17, 1846;
pg. 11; Issue 19265; col B
1846As Coachman, or to drive a Brougham, a married man, age 28, without encumbrance, who can
have seven years' good character. Knows town well and has no objection to the country.
Direct to H.S., Mr. Dunford's, 31, Paddington-street, Portman-sq.
The Times, Tuesday, Jul 21, 1846;
pg. 12; Issue 19294; col A
1847As Coachman, a steady, sober, middle-aged man, who knows town, and can have 12 month's
good character. In town or country. Direct to A.B., J.H. Dunford's, saddler, 31,
Paddington-street, Manchester-square.
The Times, Thursday, Jan 07, 1847;
pg. 8; Issue 19440; col A
1847As Coachman, or Groom and Coachman, a married man, age 30, of light weight, who can ride
and drive, and has three years' good character. Town or country. Direct to R.S., Mr. Dunford's,
saddler, 31, Paddington-street, Baker-street.
The Times, Wednesday, Jan 27, 1847;
pg. 12; Issue 19457; col A
1847As Coachman, or Groom and Coachman, or to drive a brougham, a married man, age 30, of very light
weight, who can ride and drive, with three years' good character, and will make himself generally
useful. No objection to the country. Direct to A.B., Mr. Dunford's, 31 Paddington-street, Baker-street,
Portman-sq.
The Times, Wednesday, Feb 10, 1847;
pg. 12; Issue 19469; col A
1848As Groom, to take the charge of a pair of saddle horses, or a horse and chaise, a young man, age 21,
with a good character. Town or country. No objection to work in the garden, or make himself generally
useful. Direct to J.R., Mr. Dunford's, saddler, 31, Paddington-street, Portman-square.
The Times, Wednesday, Jun 21, 1848;
pg. 11; Issue 19895; col A
1848As Groom, or Groom and Coachman, or to drive a brougham, a man who knows town
well. No objection to the country. Perfectly understands the management of
horses. Can be strongly recommended. Direct to X.Y.A., J. and H. Dunford's,
saddlers, 31, Paddington-street, Manchester-square.
The Times, Wednesday, Nov 29, 1848;
pg. 8; Issue 20033; col A
At some time in 1848 Henry Dunford was sent to the Debtors Prison. It's not
clear yet whether this happened before or after
George Samuel's birth, but
George's birth was registered on 2nd January 1849 by his mother.
COURT FOR RELIEF OF INSOLVENT DEBTORS.
Saturday the 16th day of December 1848.
ORDERS have been made, vesting in the Provisional Assignee the Estates and Effects of the
following Persons:
On their own Petitions.
Henry Dunford, late of No. 31, Paddington Street, Marylebone, Middlesex, Journeyman Harness Maker.—In the
Debtors' Prison for London and Middlesex.
From: Gazette Issue 20928 published on the 19 December 1848. Page 37 of 40
COURT FOR RELIEF OF INSOLVENT DEBTORS.
See Notice at the end.
The following PRISONERS, whose Estates and Effects have been vested in the Provisional
Assignee by Order of the Court, having filed their Schedules, are ordered to be brought up
in Court, as hereinafter mentioned, at the Court House, in Portugal Street, Lincoln's
Inn Fields, as follows, to be dealt with according to the Statute:
On Tuesday the 16th January 1849, at eleven
o'clock precisely, before Mr. Commissioner
Phillips.
Henry Dunford, formerly of No. 27, Park Street, Dorset square, and late of No. 31, Paddington street, Marylebone,
Middlesex, Journeyman Harness Maker and Treasurer to the Equitable Loan Society, No. 8, Margaret street,
Cavendish square, Middlesex.
Gazette Issue 20932 published on the 2 January 1849. Page 31 of 32
Joseph Dunford (1827-1852)
The next Dunford in the tree to appear in a Times advert is
Joseph Dunford,
son of Joseph and father of Joseph Thomas.
WANT PLACES
1849As Groom, or to drive a brougham, a single young man, age 22, with above two years' good
character: knows town well, has no objection to the country. Direct to E.K., at Dunford's, saddler.
Selby's-mews, Berkeley-street, Portman-square.
The Times, Tuesday, May 08, 1849; pg. 11; Issue 20170; col A
James Dunford (1799-1866)
By 1851 James was in business by
himself. The Post Office Commercial and Professional Directory for 1851
shows: Dunford Jas. Richard, saddlers, &c. 31 Paddington Street. It may be
James who is referred to in the following adverts:
WANT PLACES
1850As Car-boy, or to look after a horse and chaise, a lad, age 17, who can wait at table.
No objection to the country. Direct to W.T., Mr Dunford's, saddler, Paddington-street,
Baker-street, Portman-square.
The Times, Friday, Feb 15, 1850; pg.
8; Issue 20413; col A
1850As Coachman, or Groom, a single young man, with upwards of seven years'
character. No objection to the country or to travel. Direct to G.R., Mr
Dunford's, 31 Paddington-street, Manchester-square.
The Times, Thursday, Apr 25, 1850;
pg. 16; Issue 20472; col A
1851As Cook and Housekeeper, in a nobleman's family, a respectable person. Direct
to E.D., Mr. Dunford's, 31 Paddington-street, St. Marylebone.
The Times, Monday, Aug 04, 1851; pg.
11; Issue 20871; col D
For a change, an advertisement that isn't a Want Place:
1853To be SOLD, the property of a gentleman, a PAIR of BRIGHT BAY
HORSES, with black legs, and good action, one six and the other seven years
old, near 16 hands high, perfectly sound, and quiet in single and double
harness. Price 70 guineas. Any trial can be had. Apply to Mr. Dunford,
harnessmaker, 31, Paddington-street, Marylebone.
The Times, Tuesday, Aug 23, 1853;
pg. 2; Issue 21514; col A
Henry Dunford (1806-1876)
8 years later, Henry was in trouble with his finances again, and being summoned before the courts:
The Bankruptcy Act, 1861.
Notice of Adjudications and First Meeting of
Creditors.
Henry Dunford, of No. 31, Paddington-street, in the parish of St. Marylebone, in the county of Middlesex,
Journeyman Harness Maker, having been adjudged bankrupt under a Petition for adjudication of Bankruptcy, filed
in Her Majesty's Court of Bankruptcy, in London, on the 28th day of May, 1862, is hereby required to surrender
himself to Thomas Ewing Winslow, Esq., a Registrar of the said Court, at the first meeting of creditors to be held
before the said Registrar, on the 17th day of June next, at half-past one o'clock in the afternoon precisely, at the said
Court. Mr. George John Graham, of No. 25, Coleman-street, London, is the Official Assignee, and Mr. R. H. Munday, of No. 12, Horbury-crescent, Kensington-park,
Notting-hill, is the Solicitor acting in the bankruptcy.
Gazette Issue 22630 published on the 30 May 1862. Page 41 of 68
The Bankruptcy Act, 1861.
Notice of Sittings for Last Examination.
Henry Dunford, of No. 31, Paddington-street, in the
parish of Saint Marylebone, in the county of Middlesex,
Journeyman Harness Maker, having been adjudged bankrupt
under a Petition for adjudication of Bankruptcy, filed
in Her Majesty's Court of Bankruptcy, in London, on the
28th day of May, 1862, a public sitting, for the said bankrupt
to pass his Last Examination, and make application for
his Discharge, will be held before Edward Goulburn, Serjeent
at Law, a Commissioner of the said Court, on the
21st day of July next, at the said Court, at Basinghall-street,
in the city of London, at one o'clock in the afternoon
precisely, the day last aforesaid being the day limited for
the said bankrupt to surrender. Mr. George John Graham,
of No. 25, Coleman Street, London, is the Official Assignee,
and Mr. W. W Aldridge, of No. 46, Moorgate-street,
London, are the Solicitors acting in the bankruptcy.
Gazette Issue 22637 published on the 24 June 1862. Page 38 of 54
And again in 1867, at the age of 60:
The Bankruptcy Act, 1861.
Notice of Adjudications and First Meeting of
Creditors.
Henry Dunford of No. 3l, Paddington-street, Marylebone, in the county of
Middlesex, Saddler and Harness Maker, having been adjudged bankrupt under a Petition for
adjudication of Bankruptcy, filed in Her Majesty's Court of
Bankruptcy, in London, on the 19th of March, 1867, is hereby required to surrender himself
to Philip Henry Pepys, Esq, a Registrar of the said Court, at the first meeting of
creditors to be held before the said Registrar, on the llth
day of April next, at two, o'clock in the afternoon precisely,
at the said Court. Mr. George John Graham, of No. 25, Coleman-street, London, is the Official Assignee, and Mr.
W. W. Eaden, of Gray's-inn-square, London, is the Solicitor
acting in the bankruptcy.
Gazette Issue 23233 published on the 26 March 1867. Page 43 of 64
Henry was still in business at the Paddington Street address in 1869 (Post Office Trades Directory)
William Dunford (1830-)
The final member of the Dunford family who followed a similar line of
work and debt is William Dunford,
son of the first Joseph and younger brother of the second Joseph in the tree
at the top of the page. The 1851 census showed William living in Selby Mews
with his brother Joseph The Post Office Commercial and Professional
directory for 1851 confirms that the brothers were in business together:
Dunford Joseph & Wm. saddlers, 2 Up.Berkeley st. Portman sq. William married
in 1853 and the 1861 census shows him living in Upper Berkeley Street.
WANT PLACES
1852As Coachman, or Groom and Coachman, a steady, respectable, married man,
age 28. Knows town. Has been used to hunters. Can wait at table. Country
preferred. 12 months' good characters. Direct to D.B., Mr Dunford's, 73,
Upper Berkeley-street.
The Times, Monday, Aug 23, 1852; pg.
12; Issue 21201; col A
Two years later he was in the Debtor's Prison:
COURT FOR RELIEF OF INSOLVENT DEBTORS.
Saturday the 21st day of October, 1854.
ORDERS have been made, vesting in the Provisional Assignee the Estates and Effects of the
following Persons:
On their own Petitions.
William Dunford, late of No. 74, Upper Berkeley-street, Portman-square, Middlesex,
Saddler.—In the Debtors' Prison for London and Middlesex.
From: Gazette Issue 21614 published on the 24 October 1854. Page 22 of 24
William was obviously out of prison some time before the 1861 census, but he
was back in trouble soon after:
COURT FOR RELIEF OF INSOLVENT DEBTORS.
See Notice at the End.
The following PERSONS, who, on their several Petitions filed in the Court, have obtained
Interim Orders for protection from process, are required to appear in Court as hereinafter
mentioned, at the Court-House, in Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn, as follows, to be examined
and dealt with according to the Statute :
On Friday the 29th November, 1861, at Eleven
o'Clock precisely, before Mr. Chief Commissioner
Law.
William Dunford, of No. 74, Upper Berkeley-street, Portman-square, Middlesex, Saddler and Harness Maker, and
letting Lodgings.
From: Gazette Issue 22558 published on the 22 October 1861. Page 37 of 40
One last small point of interest: notice how street names are printed in both
the Times and the Gazette, as in 'Berkeley-street' and 'Portman-square'.