Robert Stapleton was admitted to the freedom and livery of the Fletchers in 1874. He rapidly rose through the ranks of the company, and was elected Renter Warden in 1882, serving – as was then customary – for two years. On completion of this term, he succeeded James Thomas as Upper Warden,  but was accorded the revived title of Master. At the end of his two years in office there were discussions over a return to annual elections of Master and Wardens, but it took a further two years for these to come to a head.

By trade, Stapleton was a horse dealer who in 1842 established a ‘horse and carriage repository’ (a horse and cart dealership), at first at 62, Bishopsgate Street Without. Only after his death did the business move to the purpose-built premises that survive at No. 106, Commercial Street, in Shoreditch. It was thus only natural that as well as a Fletcher, he was also a member of the Worshipful Company of Lorimers.

Stapleton played a prominent part in city life, serving as a member of the Court of Common Council from 1858 to his death, and from 1865 also as a Ward Deputy. He died in the spring of 1889. In 1948, a piece of silver that had belonged to Stapleton was presented to the City Livery Club with the stipulation that the Fletchers’ Company, as well as the Lorimers and the Bishopsgate Ward, might be able to use it at their functions. 

 (Sources: Oxley; www.historicengland.org.uk) 

[Image: the final site of Stapleton’s Horse Emporium at 106, Commercial Street]