Thomas Nisbet

Cabinet-Maker

Thomas Nisbet was born in Dunse, Scotland in the early 1780’s. He apprenticed under his father who was a cabinet maker. He arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick with his wife Margaret, in 1813 and took out his freeman papers as a ‘wright’. The following year, he took out another set of papers, this time as a cabinetmaker.

Nisbet may as well be called the Duncan Phyfe of New Brunswick. The quality of the work he produced between 1814 and 1848 rivals any being made on the continent at the same time. His furniture followed the contemporary styles of the period; his early work was strongly influenced by the ‘Regency’. Splendid examples of his side boards and card tables, made with spiral twisted legs and posts- a popular style in 1815- still exist in homes in New Brunswick and elsewhere.

Nisbet did most of his work in mahogany, although many of his smaller pieces, including sewing and bedside tables were made from bird’s eye maple with mahogany trim. He used birch for the drawer lining and interiors.

In 1825, Nisbet took his oldest son, Thomas, into the business- which was at that point hugely successful. In 1836 Thomas senior became president of the Mechanic’s Whale Fishing Co, which he founded with four other leading merchants. They owned at least five whaling ships. In addition to this venture, he was president of the Saint John Hotel Co.

Nisbet died in 1851.

For maore on Nisbet visit http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBioPrintable.asp?BioId=37704

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