Fig. 3. Photograph of Horace Griffiths taken in 1953. Courtesy of Eastern Daily press.
Evidence exists in the Gabriel Ledger to suggest that there might be a connection between Christopher Gabriel and John Griffiths. On 28th June 1793 a John Griffiths loaned Christopher Gabriel, planemaker the sum of £50. On 15th July 1794, he again loaned Gabriel money, this time £20. It is also interesting and perhaps significant, that at this time, the records sow that Gabriel had an extensive trade with Norfolk. After 1800, however, the Gabriel sales figures no longer included Norfolk. Had they perhaps come to some trading agreement?
Griffiths' situation after moving to Norwich is more certain. Between June and September 1803 he settled in the parish of St. John Sepulchre and rented premises previously occupied by a Mr Hatch. Although Norwich was experiencing some expansion in trade at that time, it must have taken courage and foresight on the part of John Griffiths to make this move, particularly with a wife and young family with another son, Henry, born sometime after the move. (Unfortunately the relevant baptismal records of St. John Sepulchre are missing, so it is not possible to be more precise.) John remained in these premises until 1812 when he moved to the nearby parish of St. John Timberhill, where he again rented accomodation until the beginning of 1816. Presumably it had taken some time for his business to become established but by 1816 he had sufficient capital to purchase and move to his own property at 35 Pottergate Street in the parish of St. Gregory.
Fig. 3. Photograph of Horace Griffiths taken in 1953. Courtesy of Eastern Daily press.