Details of Sculptor

Surname

Annis

Alternative Surname

First Name

John

Initial of Surname

A

Year of Birth/Baptism

Flourished

Year of Death

1740

Biographical Details

The son of John Annis of Beckenham, he was apprenticed to William Holland in 1714. On 5 May 1721 he was made free of the Masons’ Company and set up on his own account in Aldersgate Street. He was employed as a mason at the College of Physicians in Warwick Lane in 1727. From 1730 until his death 10 years later he was mason to the Ironmongers’ Company, responsible for work at their hall, barge-houses and almshouses on Old Street in 1732 and 1738-9. A payment was made in 1740 to his widow and executrix, Elizabeth.
In his will, proved on 7 November 1740, Annis, described as a ‘Mason of Saint Botolph Aldersgate,’ left £5 each to his mother, Anne Simmonds, his brother James Annis and his three sisters. The residue of his estate went to his wife. He was buried in the family vault at Beckenham, Kent. When his widow died in 1747 she left cash and property in trust for her son, John, and funds for the apprenticeship of another son, William. This son was apprenticed to his uncle, James Annis, in 1748.
The monument to William Strode, who died in 1732, signed ‘Johannis Annis Londini fecit’ is thought to be by this mason (1). It is a curious hybrid in style and execution. Two crudely carved and old-fashioned kneeling figures pray either side of a sarcophagus of a type associated with Henry Cheere. Above is a sophisticated relief carving of the four surviving children and a second relief decorates the sarcophagus. The monument to Henry Baldwyn, † 1737, is signed ‘Annis Londini Fecit’ and may date from the next generation of the family workshop (2).
Literary References: Gunnis 1968, 19; Whinney 1988, 245; Baker 2000, 78
Archival References: Masons’ Co, Freemen, fol 1, 5 May 1721; Ironmongers, WA, vol 11 (several entries)
Wills: John Annis PROB 11/705; Elizabeth Annis PROB 11/755/168