PHELPS, Thomas (Grimwade p.322, 413 )

[dognose]

Partnership with James Davenport appears to be disolved by 1799.

Directories record Thomas Phelps as an Optician and Mathematical Instrument Maker located at 36, Fetter Lane, in 1799. 30, Red Lion Street, Holborn, in 1805. 33, Monkwell Street, Cripplegate, in 1817. 28, Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, in 1822. 19, Jewin Street, Cripplegate, also in 1822.

Thomas Phelps took over the business of James Stretch, Spectaclemaker, at Cock Court, St. Martin's le Grand, following Stretch's death in 1813.

His business was succeeded by Thomas Phelps (II).

[dognose]

An Old Bailey trial that followed a robbery at the premises of Thomas Phelps in December 1819, reveals some information.

That he had a son, William Phelps, and an apprentice, Thomas Grove.
His stock included, silver pencil cases, silver toothpicks, pen knives, watch keys, seals, gloves, and umbrellas.
The robbery occured at his shop under the Royal Exchange, and that his residence was in Jewin Street.

Ref. No.:t18200112-33

[dognose]

At Islington, aged 69, Mr. James Stretch, many years an eminent spectacle-maker, of St. Martin's le Grand. Having acquired an ample fortune, and being in an ill state of health, he quitted the business in favour of Mr. Phelps.

Source: The Monthly Magazine and British Register - Volume 35 - 1st April 1813

[MCB]

He was christened the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Phelps at St Thomas, Southwark in 1768.
He married Ann Collis at St Vedast, Foster Lane in 1790; both were from that parish.
The christening record of their son Thomas (Grimwade p.322) at St John, Horseleydown, Bermondsey in 1791 shows his father was working as an optician prior to registering his first maker's mark at Goldsmiths Hall in November 1794 in partnership with James Davenport.
The purpose of this mark appears to have been short lived as Grimwade's book (pages 301 and
322) records Phelps registered his own mark from 9 Cock Court which had been the partnership, and was still, James Stretch's address. Davenport registered his own mark from 1 Oat Lane, Noble Street. Both marks were registered in December 1794 as small workers. As Stretch had not registered his own maker's mark perhaps the intention had been for the partnership to supply frames but for some reason Phelps and Davenport decided to work separately.
Phelps registered other maker's marks alone from a variety of addresses. In addition to those mentioned above he also notified moves to 159 Fleet Street in 1800 and to High Street, Peckham in 1824. After 1794 he did not register another mark from Cock Court despite having taken over Stretch's business in 1813.
The 1841 UK Census and 1848 Post Office Directory show him continuing to work as an optician from Southampton Street, Camberwell.
The burial in 1856 of Thomas Phelps aged 88 years, late of The Workhouse, was recorded at St Giles, Camberwell.