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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Keith Sherwood on Friday 02 February 18 18:08 GMT (UK)
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Hi again, Everyone,
A general query this, but does anyone know where I might find something to read about the origin of the modern day Estate Agents. I'd always thought they were a recent phenomenon, but have recently come across a firm that reputedly originated in 1855.
Any help with this, however small, much appreciated...
Keith
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What an interesting question.
Martin
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https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/features/2017/8/property-natter--a-short-history-of-estate-agency
Mike
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Thanks, Martin and Mike...
I see that Savill and Son dates from 1855, but that's not the firm that I have been led to believe was started up the very same year. I wonder when those boards advertising for sale/sold/to let/under offer, etc. were first allowed to be displayed outside properties...
Keith
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A quick search unearthed this, a bit late, but good value AND tea and biscuits!
http://creditonhistory.org.uk/whats-on/2017/estateagents.aspx
Talk on The History of Estate Agents by David Force (A Newton St Cyres History Group event)
When: 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM Wednesday, 18th January 2017
Where: Club Room, Newton St Cyres Village Hall, EX5 5BL
Who: David Force
Admission £2, to include tea and biscuits.
(Why do they all dress like that...?)
Martin
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Hi Keith
What firm are you looking for?
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Hi again, Shaun,
It was actually Harvey and Wheeler...
Keith
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I couldn't find any mention of Harvey & Wheeler before 1919 but from their website it appears that the business was bought from a George Fitzroy-Francis at that time and renamed.
I can't find any record at all of a George Fitzroy-Francis !
http://www.harveywheeler.com/history/
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Not Fitzroy but Futvoye.
George Futvoye Francis, auctioneer & surveyor (1844-18291929). Futvoye seems to be often transcribed as Futroye.
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From the Gazette, 13 August 1878:
NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, carrying on business as Estate and Land Agents, Surveyors, Auctioneers,and Accountants, at Eaton-Chambers, 54, Buckingham Palace-road, in parish of St. George, Hanover-square, Middlesex, under the style or firm of Davies and Francis, has this day been dissolved by mutual consent. Debts due to and owing from the said late firm will be received and paid by George Futvoye Francis, by whom the said business will in future be carried on. — Dated 10th day of August, 1878.
John Lacey Davies
Georqe Futvoye Francis
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/24613/page/4605
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Shaun,
I don't know how you do it, pulling these amazing rabbits out of the hat! Such a wealth of information, and fascinating, too. The sale of those Bertram Mills items particularly interesting, amongst many other factual stuff.
Very many thanks, as usual,
Keith
P.S. Trifling matter, but I imagine George Futvoye Francis' death date was perhaps 1929 rather than 1829...
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1929 rather than 1829..
Well spotted!
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This is one of those queries that, when you see it, makes you think .... "I've never thought about that..." and immediately want to know more!
-In my ignorance, did Estate Agents grow out of Land agents, who were, I understand, to do with administering land? Did they then go on to develop into selling it, and/or putting sellers in touch of buyers? I would imagine they'd be likely to date from the great expansion of city suburbs in the 19th Century, but really want to know more now!
I shall follow this thread with interest .... sorry I can't add information to it.
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Hi again, ThrelfallYorky,
One of the reasons I started this thread is because of my own almost total ignorance of the subject, so I was hoping others with a better knowledge than I might contribute. Shaun has of course unearthed some wonderfully interesting info already about a particular firm, and Mr George Futvoye Francis certainly stands out, if only for his curious and unusual middle name...
Keith
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For what it’s worth I’m related to the Futvoyes. It’s a surname that some later generations kept as a middle name. They emigrated to England from Spa in Belgium around the 1790 revolution period. They pop up on Charles Dance’s Who Do You Think You Are episode.
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SteveBr69,
I love it when these threads jump back to life after a period of dormancy. In this case over 6 years. My cousin, who has continued to keep the name Harvey and Wheeler going within the family now for over a hundred years, will be fascinated to learn of the earlier origins of the Futvoyes family, and also their mention in that WDYTYA episode.
Very many thanks for this!
Keith
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Likewise Keith. It was great to read about the family’s role in the early days of estate agents.
As an extra treat, here’s a picture of my ancestor Charles Francois Futvoye (b1777). He owned an art shop in Marylebone and is reported to have taught Queen Charlotte in Chinoiserie art (fashionable at the time).
He’s the grandfather of your George Futvoye Francis I think.