Richard Crossley
Richard Crossley was arguably one of the most important manufacturers of flatware in the late 18th and early 19th century. Unfortunately, very little is known about him.
He says: "I desire that my body may be buried at Wooburn in the County of Bucks near to the remains of my first wife and daughter, and that my funeral be organised in such manner as my trustees and executors hereinafter appointed shall think proper". The inscription on his tomb says: “Sacred to the memory of Richard Crossley of Paradise House Islington, in the county of Middlesex, and formerly of London, Goldsmith."
Information from the Buckinghamshire Record Office provided the following from a full transcript made of the tombs in Woburn Church Yard in the first half of the 19th century: “Richard Crossley Esq late of paradise House Islington in the parish of Middlesex and formerly of London Goldsmith, the third son of John Crossley of Hilton in the County of Derby who by Persevering Industry with the Strictest Integrity realised considerable Property which he bequeathed amongst his collateral relations and departed this life a Widower without leaving any Issue Surviving him on the 29th day of April 1815, aged 75 years."