W. and J. R. Hunter
New Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, London, E.
Cabinet Makers, upholsterers and timber merchants
The business successively known as W. Hunter, W. Hunter and Son, W. Hunter and Sons, W, J. R. and E Hunter, W and J R Hunter and R. M. Turner and Hunters Limited.
See W. and J. R. Hunter: Company History for a paper describing the history of the company more fully and providing sources for the details below
1804 William Hunter (1781 – 1856) entered into business as cabinet maker and upholsterer in Abbeygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. He closed this business at end of 1807 and moved to London.
1808 William Hunter founded his eponymous business in the Moorfields area of London, as Cabinet Maker, Upholsterer (Upholder) and Auctioneer. In Broker Row from 1817 and very likely began there.
c1822 Moved to 7 Finsbury Place South.
c1827 Established a timber yard at Byde's Place, Shoreditch.
c1829 Joined in partnership by his son, William Hunter II, becoming William Hunter & Son.
c1835 Joined in partnership by his son John Ridley Hunter, becoming William Hunter & Sons.
1838 Relocated workshop and warehouse to 30 Moorgate Street, whilst retaining Byde's Place timber yard 1843 – William Hunter senior retired and youngest son Edward joined partnership, which was renamed W, J R & E Hunter.
1851-52 William Hunter senior served as Lord Mayor of London.
1860 Edward Hunter left firm, which became W & J R Hunter. William Hunter II’s son, William Hunter III, became a partner.
1875 Moorgate Street renumbered, No 30 becoming No 57.
1878 William Hunter II died. The following year the firm discontinued their cabinet making and upholstery business, remaining as only timber merchants, though an office at 57 Moorgate Street was retained.
c1879 Shoreditch yard was much enlarged. Road name changes around the same time left address as 5 – 11 Bethnal Green Road, with another entrance at 18 Church Street. 1889 – William Hunter III and John Ridley Hunter retired and handed the firm to their Frederic and Ernest Hunter (sons of J R Hunter) and William Curling Hunter (son of William Hunter III). Name and premises unchanged.
c1895 Left Moorgate Street Office.
1897 Frederic and Ernest Hunter left partnership leaving W. Curling Hunter as sole proprietor.
1909 R M Turner and Hunters Limited was created by merger of R M Turner & Co (timber importers of Fenchurch Street) and W & J R Hunter, though they continued to trade under their old names for several more years.
1915 Moved to larger premises at Wansbeck Road, Victoria Park, Hackney.
1919 A controlling interest in R. M. Turner & Hunters Ltd. passed to William Mallinson and Sons
1937 Mallinsons acquired the remaining capital of R. M. Turner & Hunters Ltd., though the latter continued to trade as a subsidiary.
1990 R. M. Turner & Hunters Limited put in hand voluntary winding up proceedings at an EGM. Liquidation completed in 1999.