Gillingtons

The Gillington family of Dublin cabinet makers were likely to have first established their business in the 1790s. John Gillington is listed in The Treble Almanac of 1803 as an Upholder and Auctioneer at 51 Stephen Street, Dublin. This is probably the same John Gillington who had married Mary Low in 1779. Other family members in the profession were Samuel, George and possibly Samuel junior. A probable third son, the Reverend John Gillington is shown to act on behalf of George in 1829 over the lease of Laurel Hill, a house near Blackrock. The exact relationships between the family members are difficult to confirm due to the destruction of many census records in the fire of 1922 at the Public Records Office.

Between 1804 and 1806 John Gillington moved from 51 to 43 Stephen Street. Samuel Gillington (who we presume was John's son) finished his apprenticeship and was made a Freeman in the summer of 1806. Sometime between 1809 and 1811, the Gillingtons moved north of the River Liffey to 119 Abbey Street which was to remain their address. At this date the company changes name to be listed as Gillington (John & Sons), showing that Samuel's brother was also involved.

In 1815, John either retired or died as the name changes once more to Gillington (Samuel & Son). The following year the business is listed as Gillington (Samuel & George). In 1817 George married Clarissa Hime. In 1824 there seems to have been a change in the

The Gillington family of Dublin cabinet makers were likely to have first established their business in the 1790s. John Gillington is listed in The Treble Almanac of 1803 as an Upholder and Auctioneer at 51 Stephen Street, Dublin. This is probably the same John Gillington who had married Mary Low in 1779. Other family members in the profession were Samuel, George and possibly Samuel junior. A probable third son, the Reverend John Gillington is shown to act on behalf of George in 1829 over the lease of Laurel Hill, a house near Blackrock. The exact relationships between the family members are difficult to confirm due to the destruction of many census records in the fire of 1922 at the Public Records Office.

Between 1804 and 1806 John Gillington moved from 51 to 43 Stephen Street. Samuel Gillington (who we presume was John's son) finished his apprenticeship and was made a Freeman in the summer of 1806. Sometime between 1809 and 1811, the Gillingtons moved north of the River Liffey to 119 Abbey Street which was to remain their address. At this date the company changes name to be listed as Gillington (John & Sons), showing that Samuel's brother was also involved.

In 1815, John either retired or died as the name changes once more to Gillington (Samuel & Son). The following year the business is listed as Gillington (Samuel & George). In 1817 George married Clarissa Hime. In 1824 there seems to have been a change in the

head of the company. At this date, under different listings, they are noted as Gillington (S & G), but George is also listed separately at the same address of 119 Abbey Street. After this date the business is only listed as George Gillington and so we can deduct that Samuel has retired or died.

George carried on with the business and in 1835 added the address of 118 Abbey Street to his business. The previous year James Phillips, a painter and paper hanger, had been resident there. In Dublin Directories and Trade Labels by The Knight of Glin (Furniture History Society Journal 1985), further addresses of 180 Abbey Street for George and Samuel (1815-20) and 34 College Green (until 1838) are given. There are some doubts over the College Green address as the 1834 Pettigrew and Oulton directory lists Norwich Union Assurance, J.C. Roose (attorney) and George Home here but not Gillingtons.

The business ended with the death of George Gillington in 1838. In 1840 Mrs Gillington is still listed at 118 Abbey Street with no entry for 119.

There is no doubt that the company produced some exceptional furniture. Their selection of timbers and quality of cabinet work is high. The vast majority of their known work is domestic furniture rather than campaign furniture. It is probable the portable furniture which they did make was bespoke, adapted from domestic designs.

Although they are recorded as having made a set of 14 mahogany Klismo Chairs for Euseby Cleaver, Archbishop of Dublin, they could also turn their hand to plainer furniture. In 1833 they made a set of 6 oak Chairs for the Quaker Society of Friends and repaired 4 others. I would imagine they were less ostentatious. The other leading Dublin cabinet makers at the same time as Gillingtons were Mack & Gibton (see their own entry on this website under Williams & Gibton) who also had warerooms in Abbey Street. This caused enough confusion to the public for George Gillington to feel he had to note it on his trade label.

Known domestic items by the company, with reference number where known, include an amboyna Centre Table (5916), Canterburys (5582 & 12773), a Drop Leaf Table, a Side Table (5552), a Sofa Table, carved Hall Benches (D6516 & D7861), Klismo Chairs, Library Table, Serving Table (4762 & 3425), Secretaire Cupboard and a Collectors Cabinet.

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