Details of Sculptor

Surname

Cartwright

Alternative Surname

First Name

Francis, of Bryanston

Initial of Surname

C

Year of Birth/Baptism

c1695

Flourished

Year of Death

1758

Biographical Details

A master-builder of Blandford, Dorset, he described himself as a ‘carver’ in his will. He was responsible for building Creech Grange, where he provided chimneypieces (1), and King’s Nympton Park, Devon. In 1732 he was working for Henry Hoare II at Stourhead, Wilts, receiving payments totalling £510 between 1741 and 1747. This included the provision of a large carved frame, work in the saloon and other unspecified labour. In 1736 he took John Plimmer of Brinson, Dorset as an apprentice.
Cartwright is buried at Blandford St Mary, Dorset, where a wall tablet commemorates him. Below the inscription are carved dividers, a ruler, a T-square and a scroll of paper on which is incised the front of Came House, Dorset, which was probably also his work. This had fine composite capitals and pediment sculpture. He died on 24 April 1758, leaving a newly-built house in Blandford, and requested that his stone, marble, timber, boards and tools be sold for the benefit of his wife and daughter.
Literary References: Oswald 1953, 492; Penny 1977, 17; Colvin 1995, 231
Archival References: Hoare Private Accounts 1734-49; Hoare Partnership Ledger, 1725-34, f272, Jan 6 1732/3