Edward Johnson

1836 - 1852

Edward Johnson's history is closely related to that of G. F. Merriman. George Fredrick Merriman was born in 1785 and was 23 years Johnson's senior. His father was either John or Thomas, both trunk makers before him. It is not known if Johnson had previously worked for Merriman or perhaps was related by marriage, when he is first noted in the directories in 1836 at 155 Leadenhall Street, London. This was one of Merriman's previous addresses, having moved to 97 Leadenhall Street in the same year as well as adding his 170 Piccadilly address. Both were listed in the directories under Trunk Makers and Camp Equipage manufacturers. George Merriman had died six years previously in 1830, with his widow Mrs Ann Hughes Merriman and son presumably continuing the business. If this is being read on a listing other than by Christopher Clarke Antiques, it has been copied without their permission. In March of 1837 Ann Merriman was declared bankrupt and her premises and workshop materials were auctioned within a month. In May, her stock of trunks and camp equipage was also auctioned at 170 Piccadilly.

Merriman had noted patents in their adverts for metallic bedsteads, ship sofas and swing cots. By 1839 Edward Johnson was also advertising similar patented items and in 1840 he describes his company as 'Late Merriman'. This can be read in a few different ways; either Johnson had originally been a part of Merriman's business or he had taken on the rights to the patents from ... show more

Edward Johnson's history is closely related to that of G. F. Merriman. George Fredrick Merriman was born in 1785 and was 23 years Johnson's senior. His father was either John or Thomas, both trunk makers before him. It is not known if Johnson had previously worked for Merriman or perhaps was related by marriage, when he is first noted in the directories in 1836 at 155 Leadenhall Street, London. This was one of Merriman's previous addresses, having moved to 97 Leadenhall Street in the same year as well as adding his 170 Piccadilly address. Both were listed in the directories under Trunk Makers and Camp Equipage manufacturers. George Merriman had died six years previously in 1830, with his widow Mrs Ann Hughes Merriman and son presumably continuing the business. If this is being read on a listing other than by Christopher Clarke Antiques, it has been copied without their permission. In March of 1837 Ann Merriman was declared bankrupt and her premises and workshop materials were auctioned within a month. In May, her stock of trunks and camp equipage was also auctioned at 170 Piccadilly.

Merriman had noted patents in their adverts for metallic bedsteads, ship sofas and swing cots. By 1839 Edward Johnson was also advertising similar patented items and in 1840 he describes his company as 'Late Merriman'. This can be read in a few different ways; either Johnson had originally been a part of Merriman's business or he had taken on the rights to the patents from

Ann Merriman. Either way he was seeking to capitalise on the connection to Merriman, which had been an established family business from at least the late 18th century. The company was probably started by John Merriman or one of his forebears. Trunks by John Merriman of 155 Leadenhall Street are known to have been owned by Major General Benjamin Lincoln of the Continental Army and Captain Savage, one of General Washington's staff.

Between 1840 and 1843 Edward Johnson moved from 155 Leadenhall Street to 45, Jermyn Street. By September of the following year he had moved again to 160 Piccadilly. By 1852, he is no longer listed in the directories with Krone Cigars noted at 160 Piccadilly. Edward Johnson appears to have only been in business under his own name for approximately 16 years and this is the first piece labelled by him that we have seen. He noted on his labels and adverts the large range of portable furniture he had available from beds and washstands to mahogany camp and house drawers.