Pawsons and Leafs Ltd , clothing wholesale warehousemen

The firm of Pawsons and Leafs Limited, ladies' clothing wholesale warehousemen of 9 St Paul's Churchyard, was formed in 1892 by the amalgamation of Pawson and Company Limited with Leaf and Company Limited.

William Leaf had opened the first wholesale silk warehouse in London in 1780. After its foundation, the firm was known successively as:
Leaf and Howgate;
Leaf and Severs;
Leaf, Son and Coles;
Leaf, Coles, Son and Company;
Leaf, Coles, Smith and Company;
Leaf, Smith, Leaf and Company, and
Leaf, Sons and Company. In 1888 the firm became a limited liability company known as Leaf and Company Limited. It traded from: 110 Fleet Street, 1780-early 19th century; Old Change, early 19th century-1892.

John F. Pawson commenced trading at 5 and 9 St Paul's Churchyard in 1832, dealing in the wholesale supply of textiles, clothing and piece goods. The business traded as: John F. Pawson, 1832-73; Pawson and Company Limited, 1873-92.

Pawsons and Leafs traded from 9 St Paul's Churchyard from 1892 until circa 1964. From circa 1965-8 the firm operated from premises at 32/43 Chart Street, London N1, but appears to have ceased trading some time after 1968.