FIRMIN, Philip (Grimwade p.509)

[MCB]

Born c1790 in Strand.
1841 UK Census for Strand.
1851 UK Census for Avenue Road, Hampstead.
1861 UK Census as a visitor in East Maling, Kent.
1871 UK Census for 45 St John's Wood Park.
All years gave his occupation as button maker.
Died 1874.
England & Wales Death Index for St Marylebone register dated 2nd quarter of 1874.
National Probate Calendar for Principal Registry 1874 shows date of death as 28th May 1874 "late of 153 Strand and 13 Conduit Street" with his last address the same as in 1871.Value of the estate under £30000.
For further information on Firmin & Son see John Culme's Directory of Gold & Silversmiths 1838-1914 Vol. 1 p.158.

[dognose]

Firmin & Sons are still in business today.

Their address:
Firmin & Sons Limited.
Firmin House,
82-86 New Town Row,
Birmingham , B6 4HU

I hope they don't mind me quoting this information from their website:

The first known record of the Company came with the reference to Thomas Firmin, the button maker, in the 'List of Names of Merchants in London' for the year 1677.

By 1754, the Company's ledgers and order books recorded purchases by King George II and various other members of the British Royal Family. The first known Royal Warrant as button makers was granted by King George III in 1796. Thereafter Firmin has held Warrants for every successive British Sovereign to the present day.

From modest beginnings as button makers, Firmin became the leading supplier of every form of uniform, livery or badge, and the accessories and accoutrements to go with them. This achievement was recognised when Firmin exhibited at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. Firmin's renown was international: in the American Civil War both sides wore Firmin buttons.

Trev.

[dognose]

By sheer coincidence, whilst in London yesterday, I walked past this plaque on the outside wall of a church, that I failed to note the name of, but probably within about 500 yards of Goldsmiths' Hall. This plaque likely refers to the same Thomas Firmin who started Firmin & Sons and gives us a date of death of the 20th December 1697, aged 66 years.



Trev.

[silverly]

20 June 1826 Philip Douglas otherwise Douglas otherwise Philip Firmin Esquire of No 153 Strand in the Parish of Saint Maryle Strand Button Manufacturer will proved at London. Reference: TNA PROB 11/1713/336 Philip Venner Firmin and Robert Selby Firmin as sons among other bequests were left the business as a copartnership with an £18000 consideration for their mother.