Thomas Gaffin
Other names: Edward Gaffin (1879 onward)
Active: 1789 - 1871
Function: Sculptor
History or description: This successful business was founded by Edward Gaffin (1780-1855) and was continued by his son, Thomas Gaffin (1819-69). They were both born in Ireland and Thomas was born in Swinford, County Mayo. The third generation of the firm is less well-documented at this stage but it appears that Edward Gaffin (c.1843-71) was still involved with the firm at his death soon after that of his father. (Edward left effects valued at under £3,000.) His brother Anthony (1845-78, NB this latter date is probable but unconfirmed) was probably also involved with the family business. However he described himself in the Census Return of 1871 as a 'Retired Sculptor' (living at 35 Loughborough Park in Lambeth) and so it is assumed he had left the firm by this date. It is not yet known who ran the business, renamed Gaffin and Co, which continued into the twentieth century.
Rupert Gunnis described the Gaffins as one of the most prolific statuaries of the first half of the 19th century. Roscoe et al's reassessment (2009), affirms this view and notes that much of their work was very dull. An extensive (sample) list of the Gaffins' works, primarily funerary monuments, is given in Roscoe (2009).
Locations
Address 1 Green's Court Little Pulteney Street London | View on map
1818 (Circa)
Address for Thomas's father, Edward Gaffin, 'Mason' in about 1818 taken from the Poll Book for that year.
Business located at 17 Kensington Place Millbank London | View on map
1841 - 1860
The Census Returns of 1841 state there was a house in the yard belonging to 17 Kensington Place
Business located at 63 Regent Street London | View on map
1851 - 1869
This was the firm's showroom. Also given as 63 Quadrant, Regent Street
Associated People
Trade name of Thomas Gaffin
Trade name of Edward Gaffin
The business originated as Edward Gaffin, then became Thomas Gaffin when his son took over, and after their deaths, Gaffin and Co.
Descriptions of Business or Institution
Listed in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841
Edward Gaffin is listed as a 'Sculptor' and his son Thomas is a 'Marble Mason'. It is very probable they were employing the following 8 people who are listed immediately after the Gaffins in Kensington Place: Martin Welch (aged c.36), 'Mason's Labourer'; Daniel Gaffin (aged c.14); James Hincy? (aged c.36), John Caulfield (aged c.36), and James Caulfield (aged c.36) all three 'Marble Polisher'; John Dailey (aged c.41) and John Dailey (aged c.14) both 'Mason'; Edward Hughes (aged c.45) 'Stone Sawyer'. A further person, James Wilkins (aged c.30) is listed ahead of the Gaffins on the Census Returns and was a 'Mason'.
Listed in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1851
Thomas Gaffin 'Sculptor' listed at 17 Kensington Place, there is no reference to his father Edward at this address in 1851. However, John Daley (aged c.51) and his son Richard (aged c.16), both from Cork, Ireland are both listed as 'Mason' adjacent to Thomas Gaffin at 17 1/2 Kensington Place.
Listed in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
Thomas listed as 'Sculptor employing 14 (or 16) men', his sons Edward (born c.1843 in Westminster) 'Letter Cutter' and Anthony (born c.1845 in Westminster) 'Artist'.
Listed in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871
Anthony Gaffin (1845-78 - probable death date), son of Thomas Gaffin, was listed as 'Retired Sculptor'
Listed in Post Office London Directory, 1851 Post Office/Kelly London Directories
1851
p.1365
Listed as 'Sculptor'
Listed in Post Office London Directory, 1860 Post Office/Kelly London Directories
1860
p.1803
Listed as 'Sculptor'
Sources
A Biographical Dictionary of Sculptors in Britain, 1660-1851
2009
pp. 486-9. Note: in Roscoe the first names of Edward and Thomas are reversed.
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841
2010
HO107 piece 737 folio 2/8 page 11
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1851
2005
Class: HO107; Piece: 1479; Folio: 75; Page: 37; GSU roll: 87802-87803
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
2005
Class: RG9; Piece: 47; Folio: 60; Page: 24; GSU roll: 542563
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871
2004
RG10 piece 685 folio 60 page 6
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966
2010
Name: Edward Gaffin
Probate Date: 28 Jul 1871
Death Date: 7 Jul 1871
Death Place: Middlesex, England
Registry: Principal Registry
Post Office London Directory, 1851 Post Office/Kelly London Directories
1851
p.1365
Post Office London Directory, 1860 Post Office/Kelly London Directories
1860
p.1803
UK, Poll Books and Electoral Registers, 1538-1893
2012
Image No: 1818
Citing this record
'Thomas Gaffin', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib1_1227867331, accessed 08 Jun 2023]
