Details of Sculptor

Surname

Tovey

Alternative Surname

First Name

William

Initial of Surname

T

Year of Birth/Baptism

Flourished

Year of Death

- 1771

Biographical Details

On 30 September 1725 Tovey was made free by redemption of the Masons’ Company ‘by Virtue of an Order of the Court of the Lord Mayor and Aldren’(Court Book, 1722-5). In 1749 he sent in an estimate for £1,203 for mason’s work on the principal storey of the Mansion House, but it was turned down in favour of Christopher Horsnaile II, whose estimate was only £900. Tovey worked as a mason to the Ironmongers Company from 1758 until 1767. He left a widow (or perhaps a daughter) named Sarah when he died in 1771 (Court-book, Masons’ Co). She proceeded to carry on the business in partnership with a Mary Wheeler and their firm was responsible for mason’s work at Skinners’ Hall in 1771. They were appointed to work on masonry for the renovation in June 1773. In 1774 they were paid £139 17s 6d. Gunnis noted that this was the only example he had found in the 18th century of two women being partners and running a mason’s business.
Literary References: Gunnis 1968, 397
Archival References: Masons’ Co, Freemen, fol 68; Ironmongers, WA, vol 13; Skinners, Court Books, 2, 128, 140, 148