METCHIM, William Paul (1808-1874) — London
Law stationer, printer & lithographer. Produced Plan shewing projected railways between Slough and Windsor 1847; Thomas George Beck, A map of the parish of St. Paul Covent Garden … from a survey, made by William Lyborn [i.e. Leybourn] in the year 1686. Enlarged from the original 1851, drawn on stone by Charles John Culliford; Conde d’Eu railway : map shewing part of the coast of Brazil, etc. Also lithographed Game of the Great Exhibition of 1851 for William Matthias Spooner (see BME 2011), etc. Also known for portraits, views, etc.
William Paul Metchim was born in 1808 and baptised 13 Jun 1808 at Curry Mallett, Somerset, the son of James Metchim (1776?-1836), a farmer, and his wife Mary Paul, who married in 1807. He married Eliza Girdham (1821-1901), daughter of an Islington tailor, originally from Lincolnshire, at St. James Clerkenwell 8 Oct 1838. Became a freemason, joining the Strong Man Lodge, 6 Feb 1845. In 1851, when resident in Westminster with his wife, a daughter, an apprentice, and two servants, he was employing thirty men, two apprentices, and three boys. Ran a parallel company as ‘Metchim & Burt’, letterpress printers, lithographers, lithographic printers, and bookbinders, with George Mead Burt, from about 1855 until that partnership was formally dissolved 25 Mar 1859. Traded as ‘Metchim & Co.’ from 1858. Aside from his principal business, Metchim had interests in railway and insurance companies, and was the printer of the Bankers’ Circular. Traded as ‘Metchim & Son’ from about 1864. Became a freeman of the Spectaclemakers’ Company by redemption 23 Oct 1866. Granted a patent for “improvements for taking copies of lithographs, zincographs, and other printed matters” 27 May 1867. He died a wealthy man at his home at Petersham Lodge 14 Jul 1874, and was buried 18 Jul 1874 at Petersham. Probate was granted on effects of under £30,000 (later re-sworn as under £35,000) 24 Sep1874, his son of the same name (1842-1911) being one of the executors. The firm was still in business as ‘Metchim & Son’ beyond 1900.
11 Red Lion Passage, Holborn — 1842
5 Red Lion Passage, Red Lion Square, Holborn — 1843-1845
17 Bedford Street, Bedford Row — 1845-1850
20 Parliament Street, Westminster — 1849-1874
— and 1 Adam Street — 1851
— and 55 Parliament Street (Metchim & Burt) — 1855
— and 1a Princes Street, Storey’s Gate — 1858-1861
— and 50 King Street — 1862-1874
— and 27 Old Broad Street — 1864
— and 32 Clement’s Lane — 1865-1874
— and 61 King Street — 1866-1874
The Avenue, St. Margaret’s, Twickenham (home) — 1858-1870
Petersham Lodge, Petersham (home) — 1871-1874
BBTI. BM. BNA. Brown. Census 1851-1871. LG. LHD. LMA. Twyman. Wakeman & Bridson.