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Mary and Jane Rickard

Also known as: Mary and Jane Rickard; primary name: Rickard; died 1804: Rickard, Mary; died 1806: Rickard, Jane
Details: individual; fibre/textile worker; shop/business; British; Female
Other dates: 1770-1794 (fl. c.)
Address: At the Acorn & Star, two Doors from Brook Street, in New Bond Street, London
Biography: Trade card in Heal Collection (Heal,86.66) advertises "Rickard's Millinary & Child-Bed Linnen Warehouse... [followed by an extensive list of wares]." Heal's annotations on mount: "A billhead dated 1779 has the address altered by hand, to for doors from Brook Street & 'No.107' has also been inserted by hand." Nigel Tattersfield (email Sept 2021): Mary and Jane Rickard were spinster sisters, originally from Yorkshire, who appear to have commenced business in New Bond Street by at least 1770. They traded successfully for many years; when they made their wills in 1794 they were still living 'above the shop'. They subsequently retired back to Yorkshire where they died within a few years of each other; Mary in 1804 (National Archives, PROB 11/1414/115) followed by Jane in 1806 (National Archives, PROB 11/1442/147). Their wills are in large measure identical, each sister being the principal beneficiary of the other.