Biography

John Trotter. (1713-1790)

Upholsterer. Son of Alexander Trotter (d. 1767) and Anne or Jean Steaurt (1690-1767). Brother of Archibald Trotter. Married (1752) to Anne Locke (d. 1759) with whom he had four children. A niece of his mother's married John Coutts and another niece married William Cochrane, which explains (or confirms) the close ties between Trotter and the Coutts'. (Link) John Coutts and Archibald Trotter (John Trotter's brother) were also sometime partners in the banking firm which in 1762 was owned by Coutts' sons, James and Thomas.

Trotter came to London as a young man and became wealthy selling homegoods to rich Londoners. He is registered as having had a business in Thrift Street, Soho, London from at least 1755¹ until at least 1789,² at which point the street had long since changed name to Frith Street.³

Ca. 1780 he seems to have bought Horton Manor, Surrey. The sources are not entirely consistent as to whether this John Trotter was an upholsterer (History of Surrey), army contractor (Topograhy of Surrey) or possibly both, which does of course leave room for speculation as to whether it is the same man. It seems, however, that the army contractor John Trotter was in fact Trotter's nephew, which should explain the confusion.

Boswell clearly identifies the Trotter in LJ as a bachelor, not a widower with four children. He may of course have been unaware of Mr. Trotter's family situation; the children may well have been taken care of by family members or schools. Perhaps Boswell was just referring to him as a bachelor because he was unmarried, not withstanding that he had been.

Either John Trotter, or his nephew of the same name - or both? - were sometimes referred to as John Trotter of Soho Square. Frith Street lies just next to Soho Square.

Life with James Boswell:

Boswell went to dine with him in the company of James and Thomas Coutts, and William Cochrane on 19/5-1763. Present were also a Mrs. Elliot, Mr. Stewart, Miss Rutherford and others unnamed. Trotter was described as" originally from Scotland, but has been here so long that he is become quite an Englishman. He is a bachelor, an honest, hearty, good-humored fellow".

External links:

• Powys-Lybbe Tree - Click on Trotter for more information

This article was last updated at February 05 2008 12:20:43 CET

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