About Thomas & George Seddon

George Seddon was the eighth child of John Seddon of Blakelea, Lancashire. His father apprenticed him to George Clemaphon of Cripplegate to learn cabinet making. He became a Master of Cabinet Maker in 1795.

In the early 1750s he was sufficiently successful to acquire London House, Aldersgate Street. It consisted of extensive workshops, where furniture was made, and showrooms to display the finished products. London House had formerly been a palace of the Bishops of London. The panelled state-rooms were ideal for the display of fashionable furniture; and the chapel and library made convenient workshops. When Seddon married, he converted the garden house and infirmary into the family home.

Seddon was the biggest furniture maker of his time. His furniture store covering a two acre site in Aldersgate Street.

About 1785 his sons Thomas Seddon (1761-1804) and George Seddon (1765-1815) became partners in the firm, which was re-named George Seddon & Sons. From 1790 to 1795, his son-in-law Thomas Shackleton was also a partner, and the firm was called George Seddon, Sons, & Shackleton.

Seddon died in 1801 leaving property valued at almost £250,000. His sons continued his policy of fine traditional craftsmanship.

In 1815 Thomas’s son Thomas Seddon (1792-1864) took over the business. Two years later his brother George Seddon (1796-1857) joined him. By 1827, Thomas II had retired and George III formed a new partnership with a cabinetmaker and upholsterer called Nicholas Morel and the firm was called Morel & Seddon. One of their contracts was to make furniture for Windsor Castle. In 1830 George’s brother Thomas III joined this partnership. After 1833 the name of the business reverted to Seddon & Sons. The firm finally closed in 1868.