The 1851 UK Census shows he was born in High Street, Kennington around 1776.
Christening records from 1824-33 for five of the children of Thomas and Amy Key show their address as Charing Cross and Thomas as a musical instrument maker.
He entered maker’s marks at Goldsmiths Hall in 1831 and 1835 as a small worker from Charing Cross.
He was recorded on the 1851 UK Census aged 75 years living at Grove Hill House, Camberwell, still a musical instrument maker.
His burial in 1852 aged 77 years, late of Camberwell, was recorded at Norwood Cemetery, Lambeth.
The Directory of Gold & Silversmiths Jewellers & Allied Traders 1838-1914 Vol. I pages 272 and 397 by John Culme show Thomas Key was military musical instrument maker to Her Majesty, the Royal Dukes and the Army and that his son Frederick (born 1833) continued the business at Charing Cross after his father’s death until around 1857 when it was taken over by Rudall Rose Carte & Co.
KEY, Thomas (Grimwade p.321)
Moderators: buckler, MCB, silverly
Re: KEY, Thomas (Grimwade p.321)
The Will of Thomas Key, musical instrument maker late of 20 Charing Cross, was proved for probate on 14th December 1852 (National Archives reference PROB 11/2163/165).