Gabriel , family , timber merchants of London

Christopher Gabriel set up in business as a plane maker in 1770. On his death in 1809, the business was taken over by his sons and the name was changed to T and C Gabriel. From around 1812 the focus of the business moved from plane, looking-glass and chair manufacture, to the importation and sale of timber. Christopher Gabriel was the grandfather of Sir Thomas Gabriel (1811-1891), who became Lord Mayor of London in 1866 (this collection does not contain any personal papers of Sir Thomas). Many members of the family were freemen and liverymen of the Goldsmiths' Company.

From 1823 the business was known as Thomas Gabriel and Sons. In 1912 it amalgamated with John Burton and Co to become Thomas Gabriel and Sons and Burtons. Following another amalgamation in 1919, the business became a public company and the name changed to Gabriel, Wade and English Ltd. The business was acquired by Montague L Meyer Ltd in 1968.

From the early 19th century the works were based at Barnard's Wharf, 341 Rotherhithe Street, Rotherhithe. Until 1930 the family held Gabriel's Wharf, Commercial Road, Lambeth, on a long lease from the Duchy of Cornwall. There was also a branch yard at Exeter. By 1937 branch offices had been established in Hull, Wisbech, Ipswich, Southampton, Exeter, Bedford, Leicester, Cambridge, Peterborough and Scarborough.

The business was based at Albermarle Street (1770-4), Golden Lane (1774-9), 100 Old Street (1779-94), 31-32 Banner Street, Bunhill Row (1797-1814), Commercial Road, Lambeth (1815-1919), Aldwych House, Aldwych (1919-61), and 6 John's Street, Holborn (1961-8).