Biography of William FOLKER
[Ref. M.185]
| Ancestors |  |
Profile | |
Newspapers | |
Index for FOLKER |
Biography of William FOLKER
[Ref. M.185]
| Ancestors | |
Profile | |
Newspapers | |
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. It appears from an advertisement that he placed in the local newspaper that this was his father's home and William was there until he could get established and become independent.
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 from Butcher Row to Cornmarket where 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 advertised for two journeyman cabinet makers. In 1787 he took on Richard Gee as an apprentice Cabinetmaker and Thomas Buswell in 1789. In an Oxford directory of 1791, William is listed as a Cabinet-Maker. That same year he advertised the sale of a single horse chaise complete with harness. The advertisement appeared in Jackson's Oxford Journal on 20 August that year but it was not specified if the chaise was his or if he was selling it on behalf of someone else. The following year, William advertised the sale of his father's furniture as it was stated that Ambrose "had given up housekeeping". William moved from Old Butcher Row to Cornmarket in Oxford in 1786. The house in Butcher Row, which had vaults, was occupied by wine and brandy merchant S Carson.
William transitioned into being an auctioneer and on 11 February 1792, the first of his many advertisements appeared whereby he was auctioning property.
Son William Cowley Folker was born in 1794, and, as his sisters, was baptised at St.Martins church.
On 17 September 1796, William was selected as a Baliff of the City of Oxford and was duly sworn in on Friday 30 September. According to an entry in Jackson's Oxford Journal of 12 May 1798, he was appointed to be a Lieutenant in the Oxford Armed Association of Loyal Volunteers. Between 1897 and 1803, William's name appears in lists of those to whom Game Duty certificates were granted. Other entries record that, during his life, William had contributed to subscriptions for the poor and other matters including Bluecoats School.
In October 1800, William was elected to be one of the eight assistants to the Mayor. He was chosen on 20 September 1802 for what would be his first tenure as Mayor. In that capacity, there are two reports of his having committed thieves to the city goal. As mayor in 1803, he chaired a meeting to form a corps of infantry and troop of cavalry to be at the disposal of the government in case of invasion. Later that year it was reported that William had been promoted to captain in the Oxford Loyal Volunteers.
During 1806, William moved premises from Cornmarket to New Inn Lane in Oxford. In 1812, he is listed amongst those who occupy Cumner Meadow in Cumner outside Oxford.
In 1816 he was chosen as Mayor for the second time.
William's wife Mary passed away in 1927. William kept sheep at Tackley as several reports appear in Jackson's Oxford Journal newspaper of animals having been stolen from him. In 1830, William purchased four acres of land at Tackley.
William 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. He had occupied land belonging to Headington Manor as recorded in minutes after his death.
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