William Devenport, Silversmith

[davidtimm]

Hello, friends.

My name is David, and I work at the Denver Botanic Gardens in the U.S. Next fall, we are installing an art nouveau exhibit in our galleries, and I'm looking for any details any of you may have about William Devenport, who was a silversmith. From what I could find in independent research, Devenport and Son operated on Northwood Street in the early twentieth century.

However, I can't find anything about his birth/death years, which are essential for our organization when following our in-house standards and procedures for label text. If anybody can find additional information about his life, I would be greatly appreciated. For example, our label for some of his silver works would look something like this: Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), or William Devenport (18??-19??).

Any other information would also be wonderful. Thank you all for your time looking into this.

 

[Pedrocut]

Grace guide gives Devenport at 121 Northwood St. in 1918, he also advertised there in 1898.

1892 Trades Dir in 1892 gives 36 Spencer Street.

 

[Pedrocut]

In 1879 trade directory there is a W Devenport & Sons.

Also a W Devenport, jeweller (see Whitten and Devenport) who are at 12 Spencer Street,

 

[Pedrocut]

From Grace’s Guide 1918.

 

[Pedrocut]

I think what you need is for someone to find one of the William Davenports (as there could be more than one) involved with the company in a census ?

 

[superdad3]

The origins of the esteemed maker known as William Devenport began in early Victorian England in 1837. The firm was founded by Joseph Whitton after whom it was named. When William Devenport became a partner it was styled as Whitton & Devenport. Later on this jewellery concern was known as William Devenport and when his son joined the firm, William restyled the business name to William Devenport & Son. Copied from https://thevintagecompactshop.com/b...lRww-tdRpig42SmUnVH7SeUtOm4BUOdpW6CN-eUMTqIGC

Lots of info about firm & examples of their work.

 

[Pedrocut]

The site says the company was founded by Joseph Whitton (I think this should be Whitten, see advert below) in 1837.

There is a Joseph Whitten appearing in 1884 Kelly’s, and so the development of the company may not be totally as described ?

 

[Pedrocut]

There is a dissolution of the partnership in the London Gazette between Joseph and William in 1881. They were at 12, Spencer St.

However Joseph Whitten was founded in 1837 and traded until at least 1888 at 21 Spencer Street.

 

[Pedrocut]

Hello, friends.

My name is David, and I work at the Denver Botanic Gardens in the U.S. Next fall, we are installing an art nouveau exhibit in our galleries, and I'm looking for any details any of you may have about William Devenport, who was a silversmith. From what I could find in independent research, Devenport and Son operated on Northwood Street in the early twentieth century.

However, I can't find anything about his birth/death years, which are essential for our organization when following our in-house standards and procedures for label text. If anybody can find additional information about his life, I would be greatly appreciated. For example, our label for some of his silver works would look something like this: Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), or William Devenport (18??-19??).

Any other information would also be wonderful. Thank you all for your time looking into this.

“However, I can't find anything about his birth/death years, which are essential for our organization when following our in-house standards and procedures for label text. If anybody can find additional information about his life…”

I think I have found the right William Devenport and his baptism is registered as April 1810. But his birth is down as “about” 1810.

As to his date of death the ancestry trail, I believe, leads to a red herring. But he does appear on the 1861 census, but not on the 1871. His wife Sarah who looks to have taken over the Co died in 1875 and then it was taken over by his second son Cornelius. His first son William seems to have ventured elsewhere, however was one of the trustees of his mother’s will.

Maybe one of our Ancestry experts can be more precise ?