The Start of a Business

James Alsford, born in 1808 and the child of a cabinet maker, described himself as a mahogany dealer and upholsterer. It was his first born child, James (1), born in 1841, who would go on to establish the Alsford family name in the timber trade and lay the foundations for the company you know today.

Little is known about the first 30 years of James’ (1) life other than that he worked as a plasterer and lath maker, constructing timber supports for interior walls. It was through this trade that he learned the skill of wood grading that would come in handy later on. After returning to England from Canada in 1874, he used what little savings he had to start his own firewood business in Hornsey, North London. Even then it was a family business, with James sawing the wood and his new wife, Harriet Alsford (nee Bourne), splitting the wood into convenient sizes.

Tenacious and forward thinking, James acquired large quantities of water-damaged timber at auction. After drying the wood, he was able to sell it as good quality timber, making a far greater profit than his competitors.

Moving his attention away from firewood, James established himself as a timber merchant.

Developing the Alsford Timber Business

A strong and agile man, James inspected the lots himself, walking around the docks and climbing stacks to identify timber pieces that were odd sized or partially deteriorated – wood that other merchants didn’t want. Having purchased the lower quality timber for very low prices, he then worked hard to grade it and convert it to standard sizes, selling it on in considerable quantities as better class timber.

While renting a small plot of land at Hornsey, James was given 7 days-notice to quit.  In the event, they evicted the up-and-coming timber merchant on to the street. James looked around for a suitable site which he could purchase, for he had resolved never again to rent property for his business – a policy which, wherever possible, is followed by Alsford Timber today.

At an auction which James attended when he was still inexperienced in the technique of bidding, a series of builders’ laths were offered and James inadvertently nodded his head and acquired far too many laths that he could possibly use; but necessity being the mother of invention, he found a simple way of using the surplus by making extending diamond trellis. Trellis making by hand was continued by his son and grandson up until 1924.

By 1877 James was the owner of an increasingly busy company. He decided that it was time to expand. He purchased a second plot of land in Edmonton. Although he had two thriving yards, James continued to live frugally and returned his profits to the business. In 1882 he brought two adjoining plots in Leyton for £160. By 1891 there were Alsford yards at Wood Green, Hornsey, Harringay, Edmonton, Leyton and Enfield all of which had been established within the space of 17 years.

Alsford Timber was rapidly becoming a busy, prosperous timber business with an ever increasing custom.

Please click here to read an overview of our Company’s History.

Please click here to read Part 2.