EDWARD STANTON ( ? – 1761
Edward Stanton ran a lucrative business manufacturing cutlery and surgical instruments through the Saw and Crown public house on Lombard Street. He had an exclusive contract with Surgeon’s Hall, which was just up the road from his shop. According to Elisabeth Bennion, the author of “Antique Medical Instruments,” Edward Stanton was active in 1738 on Lombard Street, London but there is “no trace [of him] after 1744.”
However, Elizabeth Hurren, the author of “Delivering Post-Mortem Harm: Cutting the Corpse” gives evidence that serves to dispute this. Her research shows that Stanton’s exclusive contract with Surgeon’s Hall was renegotiated in April 1761 because he died. In his will, he left the business to his sister Mary and her husband William Sparrow, who then traded under the family name from St. Paul’s churchyard, conveniently next to Child’s Coffee-House where the surgeons congregated after anatomical sessions. If there truly is no other record of his business and its transactions, perhaps the Sparrows closed up the shop not long after his death.
in Lombard Street London
“Maketh and Selleth all sorts of Surgeons
Instruments Likewise Razors Scifsors Penknives
Knives Forks Horse Fleams fine hone & strops
Fine Shagreem & fishskin cases & other Cutlery Wares
NB Lancets and other Instruments Carefully Ground and Sett“