Biography of William FOLKER
[Ref. M.185]
| Ancestors |  |
Profile | |
Index for FOLKER |
Biography of William FOLKER
[Ref. M.185]
| Ancestors | |
Profile | |
Index for FOLKER |
William Folker was baptised at Fairford Gloucestershire on 2 May 1762, the son of Ambrose and Mary Folker. It is not known if he had any siblings.
He was apprenticed as an Upholsterer and Cabinetmaker to William Coxeter of New Inn Hall Street in Oxford. A serious fire on 21 October 1776 put William Coxeter out of business but William Folker managed to continue to run a similar business from the premises. In 1781 he moved to Old Butcher Row, taking the shop opposite the Post Office.
William became a Freeman (known as a Hanaster in Oxford) on 11 August 1783 by the recognised method of payment of a fine of twenty guineas plus the usual fees. He was subsequently selected on 11 November 1784 as Mayor's Child by the new Mayor, John Treacher. As was the custom by then, William thus became the Mayor's Chamberlain.
On 25 March 1785, William signed a Marriage Bond in respect of his intended marriage to Mary Cowley. The wedding took place at St.Giles church in Oxford on 25 May 1785.
In April 1786 William moved his business to Cornmarket and he and Mary lived over the shop. Their first child, Mary Burrows Folker was born in 1786, then Sarah Folker in 1787 and Betsey Folker in 1788. They were each baptised at St.Martins church in Carfax.
In 1787 William took on Richard Gee as an apprentice Cabinetmaker and Thomas Buswell in 1789.
Son William Cowley Folker was born in 1794, and as his sisters, was baptised at St.Martins church.
In September 1796, William was elected Senior Baliff and in October 1800 he was elected to be one of the eight assistants to the Mayor. He served as Mayor between 1802 and 1803 then again between 1816 and 1817.
Besides the cabinetmaking business, William traded as an Auctioneer both in furniture and property. 1802 editions of Jacksons Oxford Journal carry advertisements announcing such sales. Also, the edition of 4 September that year includes William's name in a list of those to whom Game Duty certificates were granted for the sum of three guineas each.
Documents held in Oxfordshire Record Office show transactions whereby William had purchased or leased land in the county.
It is likely that William moved to another premises further north in Cornmarket prior to 1827 which is the year that his wife passed away. He was living opposite St.John's College in St.Giles when he himself died on 27 May 1831. An entry in Jacksons Oxford Journal stated that "Yesterday morning died, after a severe illness, aged 69, Mr William Folker of this city". He was buried with his wife at St.Giles church. A Grant of Administration was issued on his estate.
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