William Ker Reid

This family business was established in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1778 by Christian Ker Reid.

William Ker Reid became free in 1818, however, his before this he was in partnership with Joseph Cradock with registered marks between 1812-1824.

After Christian’s death in 1834, the Newcastle business was continued by his sons William Ker Reid, David Reid and Christian Bruce Reid.

The Reid family married into the Barnard family via Christian’s sons William Ker Reid who married Mary Anne Barnard and his son David Reid married Elizabeth Barnard, each daughters of Edward Barnard I. Further down the line William’s son Edward married Anna Barnard, daughter of John Barnard I (grandchildren of Edward Barnard I).

In 1825 William Ker Reid had started his own business and in 1847 the firm became W.K. Reid & Son, with the addition of his son Edward Ker Reid (born 1821) as partner. Edward, apprenticed to his father, was free by 1842. Edward was managing the business under his own name by 1856 and died in 1886.

View the collection of silverware by William Ker Reid below...