Underwood
The architects of Henry, Charles and George Allen Underwood were born to Francis Underwood (c.1733-1808) and his second wife Ann (1753-1824 - nee Edmonds). Francis Underwood (c.1733-1808) was originally a plumber and glazier from Ampthill, Bedfordshire. However, in 1774, Francis was granted a patent (No.1091) for casting and working into frames, a composition of tin and lead (instead of wood, iron, brass and copper) for use in small bar sashes, fanlights, skylights, doors and other frames.
After relocating to Camden, London in c.1780 and in various partnerships, Francis manufactured his patent fan-lights, sashes and stair and balcony balustrades from premises at 228, High Holborn. Additionally, Francis' daughter Mary, having married Joseph Lowe in 1780, set up premises in 8, Marlborough-Street, Dublin, Ireland as makers of sashes, fanlights and skylights under license.
By the start of the nineteenth century, Francis' firm was trading as Messrs Underwood, Bottomley, Hamble and Doyle was supplying products to a wide cliental including the Prince Regent. Thereafter the business traded as Underwood and Doyle (1808) and Doyle, Underwood and Doyle until 1820 when the Underwood family left the partnership.
George Allen Underwood left London for Cheltenham in c.1819 and was joined by both Charles and Henry in the 1820s. George Allen relocated to Bath in c.1824 but continued his practice in Cheltenham until the late 1820s. Henry and Charles both went bankrupt whilst working in Cheltenham in the early 1820s. Whilst Charles relocated to Bath and then Bristol, Henry continued in Cheltenham before taking on George's practice in Bath upon his death in 1829.
After relocating to Camden, London in c.1780 and in various partnerships, Francis manufactured his patent fan-lights, sashes and stair and balcony balustrades from premises at 228, High Holborn. Additionally, Francis' daughter Mary, having married Joseph Lowe in 1780, set up premises in 8, Marlborough-Street, Dublin, Ireland as makers of sashes, fanlights and skylights under license.
By the start of the nineteenth century, Francis' firm was trading as Messrs Underwood, Bottomley, Hamble and Doyle was supplying products to a wide cliental including the Prince Regent. Thereafter the business traded as Underwood and Doyle (1808) and Doyle, Underwood and Doyle until 1820 when the Underwood family left the partnership.
George Allen Underwood left London for Cheltenham in c.1819 and was joined by both Charles and Henry in the 1820s. George Allen relocated to Bath in c.1824 but continued his practice in Cheltenham until the late 1820s. Henry and Charles both went bankrupt whilst working in Cheltenham in the early 1820s. Whilst Charles relocated to Bath and then Bristol, Henry continued in Cheltenham before taking on George's practice in Bath upon his death in 1829.
