[2][3] He helped complete Arbury Hall, Warwickshire, for Sir Roger Newdigate, including designing the magnificent saloon.
He was the eldest child of carpenter Henry Couchman and Sarah (née Luck).
Rather than continue in the carpentry trade Henry obtained a job in Greenhithe making drawings for a house builder.
He later lost his job "in consequence of belonging to a club of workers in a plan to raise their wages".
He then moved to work for several years building Packington Hall, Warwickshire for the Lord Aylesford, arriving in 1766.