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 Some time, before the death of George lll in 1820 Thomas founded the company Thomas Usborne & Son. Trade directories list the firm as Corn & Malt factors in 1819 at 33 Trinity Sq. Corn-factors in 1822; 33 Gt Tower Hill; Malt Factors in 1829. His offices in the City of London are listed as 60 Mark Lane and Corn Exchange in 1829; Jack's Coffee House in 1831 and 5 New London St. Crutched Friars in 1839. (All in or adjacent to the London Corn Exchange) |
 The London Corn Exchange in 1808 |
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Thomas had a warehouse at Sharpe's wharf, 238 High St. Wapping. He lived at Croydon with his first wife from 1799-1803 and later in Rotherhithe (1813/15). By 1829 he was listed at Chatham Place (now covered by Blackfriars station). He owned leasehold property in Trinity Square and a share in the London Corn Exchange. He bought Oak Lodge, Croydon around 1830 where he died. The Estate, at Shirley near Croydon, which included Oak Lodge Farm was described in 1923 as " delightfully rural in character, typifying that which is best in the unspoiled English countryside. The land seems adapted by nature for those who are seeking country houses not too far from London, being already park-like meadow land, well timbered, and dotted with coppices; thus affording almost unlimited scope for imagination, and taste, in laying out grounds, by utilising the natural advantages already there". The whole site was shortly to be developed with suburban housing. In July 1831 The Times reported donations for the "Relief of Famine in Ireland" as follows: T. Usborne and son: five guineas; Mrs Usborne: two guineas; The Masters Usborne: 1 guinea; Miss H.M.Usborne: one guinea. |
 In 1825 a "Thomas Usborne of London" loaned £8,000 (£¼ m. now) to Thomas Rogers as a mortgage @ 4% pa. on his 700 acre Kingston Manor Estate, near Lewes in Sussex. |
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| Still trading in 1990's:
April 1997: "Sidney C Banks has
acquired Usborne Grain, the agricultural merchant for £4m".
"Usborne PLC was removed from the FTSE Fledgling index in 1998,
following the offer by Thompson Acquisitions (London) Ltd". (the
corn trade had shifted from the Baltic to Canada). A letter from the College of Arms dated September 3rd 1979 states: A pedigree is registered with the College headed by Thomas Usborne of Croydon. |
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| Thomas'
& Harriet's will available on line refs 11/1862 &
11/2068 This is the last will and testament of Harriett Usborne, now living at No 3 Hunter Street, Brunswick Square, revoking all former wills and testaments, I give and bequeath to my son Major Usborne thirty pounds to purchase a trifling remembrance of his mother’s love and affection. To my youngest son Thomas Masters Usborne I give and bequeath my gold watch and seals, which I hope he will always keep and wear in remembrance of his mother’s love and affection. To each of my sisters who may survive me I give and bequeath fifty pounds to be paid them immediately after my funeral, free of all expense. Then, after my debts and funeral expenses are paid, I give the residue of my property to my daughter Harriet Masters Moore, including all my books, glass, plate, linen and household furniture also the money I may have in the house in which I may be living at my death and the money that is in the hands of my sons Major Usborne and Thomas Masters Usborne and all and everything I may possess at my demise for her sole use and benefit. In witness whereof, I, the said Harriett Usborne, do this day set my hand and seal, the twenty fifth day of February 1846. |
  Hunter St. must have looked like this adjacent street before demolition |
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