Joscelyne Chase

Ogólne informacje

The origins of Joscelyne Chase date back to 1777 and in 1994 it was adjudged by Essex County Council to be the fourth oldest in continuous business in the county. The Joscelynes have been in Essex for hundreds of years and one of them, Joseph, a baker in Bradford Street Bocking purchased in 1791, 62 High Street Braintree to which his fourth son Benjamin moved his business as a cabinet maker from London. Henceforth the business was continued by each succeeding eldest son for six generations down to the present Benjamin who retired from the business as recently as 1998. His younger brother Brian also retired shortly after and as there were none of the next generation in the business it was amalgamated with John Chase and Co (another local Chartered Surveyor) to become Joscelyne Chase. In its very earliest days some 230 years ago, the new business of Benjamin Joscelyne survived by making, restoring and selling furniture mostly for the landed gentry who were the few to afford such luxuries. Gradually the business developed to include the sale of new and second hand furniture, other household goods, china and antiques. In addition to sales over the counter, sales by public auction were held, usually in local hostelries! Live and deadstock sales were also held and eventually complete properties, mostly farms and manor houses as most workers lived in 'tied' cottages. Thus the property side of the business developed alongside the furniture business which expanded in the early 20th...