Phyfe, Duncan, 1768-1854

Duncan Phyfe was a furniture maker in New York City. Born in 1768 in Loch Fannich, Scotland, his family emigrate to Albany, N.Y. in 1783. Phyfe had probably served as an apprentice in his native country. He is believed to have had a small cabinetmaking shop in Albany, N.Y. Sometime before 1792, he moved to New York City where from the 1790s to 1847, he had a successful cabinetmaking business Partition St., which later became Fulton St. Phyfe's shop, which had almost 100 working craftsmen, attracted many of New York's leading citizens as customers. Many other cabinetmakers copied Phyfe's work. Until 1837, Phyfe conducted business under his own name, but in that year his sons, William and James D., became partners and the firm was renamed Duncan Phyfe & Sons. When William left the business in 1840 the partnership was dissolved and the firm became Duncan Phyfe & Son. Phyfe retired in 1847 having accumulated a a large fortune; he died in 1854.

From the description of Papers, 1801-ca.1860. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 84666353