It is also recorded that Edward France & Co, Upholders of London were paid £12 12s on 3 July 1766 by the Duke of Portland for work done at Burlington House.
As John (Edward's father) was not an upholsterer and Edward, at twenty four, too young to take on the appointment of what was one of the largest suppliers of goods to the Royal Household, William Farnborough was appointed in William's stead.
[3] At this time Edward was working out of 101 St Martin's Lane, Charing Cross, London as an Upholsterer and Cabinet Maker when he was admitted as a Freeman of Lancaster, 1773–74, when stated 'of Westminster'.
[3] Even then it is Edward France's name alone that is recorded c 1775, as supplying furniture for the state rooms at Erddig Park, Clwyd.
[3] The name of the firm appears in the Royal Household bills until the end of the century, and their trade card "France and Beckwith Upholsterers and Cabinet makers to His Majesty, no 101 St Martin’s Lane", is dated 1803.