CONSITT, Francis (1744-1806) — York
Engraver. Engraved J. Harrison, A map of Hornsea Mere with a plan of the town 1787. Also known for trade-cards, etc.
Early in his career, Consitt advertised variously “Ladies’ compliment cards and visiting tickets”, “Crests, &c, upon silver, copper, or pewter” for the gentry, and “Bills of exchange, sign-bills, bills of parcels, equation tables”, etc. He was recorded as an engraver and “papist”, living with his mother, in 1765. At the age of twenty-three, Consitt married Eleanor Gledhill at St. Helen, York, 2 Dec 1767. Two of their children, Eleanor and Walter, died in infancy in 1776, and another, Charles, in 1779: all were buried at St. Martin, Coney Street, York. Consitt became a freeman of York in 1779. His wife was a mantua-maker, who took apprentices named Clementina and Elizabeth Metcalfe in 1780. Consitt took out an insurance policy for £300 in 1781, of which just £20 was for his kitchen and workshop. In 1785, he was granted permission to pull down an older building on the corner of Stonegate and Blake Street and build a handsome new house for himself, which still survives. He died at Clifton in 1806 and was buried at St. Olave with St. Giles, York, 28 Jul 1806.
Stonegate, York — 1764
Coney Street, York — 1765
Parish of St. Michael le Belfrey — 1767
New Street, York — 1779-1781
St. Helen’s Square, York — 1781
25 Blake Street, York — 1785
Tanner Row, York — 1798
Apprentices: John Walker (£20) 1769 — whether this John Walker can be identified with any of the other engravers of this name is not certain; James Peckett 1781; Joseph Boocock 1789.
Alexander. BBTI. Exeter. Fincham. Matthew Jenkins, “The view from the street: housing and shopping in York during the Long Eighteenth Century”, 2013.