Hi Brian As others have suggested he may have conducted funerals however my suggestion would be that he supplied (furnished) handles and accouterments for coffins etc That would be more in keeping with his occupation as a gilder 1825 Pigots Directory GREENING Wm. gilder 176, 427 1843 Post Office Directory GREENING Wm. carv. & gilder & looking glass ma. 79 Coleman st 1841 census St Stephen Coleman Street Middlesex Coleman Street // Wm GREENING 58 Looking Glass Manufacturer Y Ann GREENING 59 Y / Thos ROOK 75 Y Elizabeth CLAYTON FS Y // They are at 57 London Wall All Hallows in 1851 William is retired born Bishopgate Ann born Yarmouth? If you have a copy of the portrait I would be interested in seeing it Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) >A mysterious small portrait (roughly 6 in. by 5) descended to us from my > great-great grandfather, who emigrated to Victoria in 1858. It shows a > military officer, the face finished but red coat and cloak rather > sketchy. He could perhaps date from the Napoleonic Wars. As far as I > know there were no soldiers in a largely legal family. > > My ancestor lived in Broad St for much of his life. He was a solicitor > and had an office in Kings Arms Yard. > > I hope to at least find the picture's date. It is in its original frame > with the framer's label on the back. It reads: > W. GREENING > Looking Glass Manufacturer > Carver, Gilder and Picture Framer > > The next line giving the address was unfortunately printed in > copperplate script and is now illegible. > > The label continues: > Old Frames Re-gilt Old glasses polished and re-silvered > Gilt Mouldings for rooms and cornices of all descriptions > Paintings, Prints, Drawings, all kinds of Ladies' Needle Work > framed and glazed in the neatest manner > Funerals Furnished > > I should be very grateful if anyone can locate W.Greening in place and time. > And while I do understand most of Greening's work, what would he furnish > for funerals? > > Anthea Fleming > Melbourne