The Hewetson, Milner and Thexton families originated from Ravenstonedale, a village and civil parish in Cumbria in the historic county of Westmoreland on the Scottish borders. Arriving in London over successive generations, they lived in each others' homes, apprenticed each others' children and relations, and mutually contributed to a thriving family-run business. Theirs is a classic example of generational relatives and friends from a small town or village, migrating to London for career opportunities and advancement in the English capital. A few members of the firm had second homes in Ravenstonedale, one moved back permanently and one couple retired to the village to live out the remainder of their lives. The only partner not from Cumbria was William Peart of Tottenham, north London, who entered the business as a sales assistant (c.1860).
Established by the brothers William and John Hewetson c. 1825, the firm was first located at two central London locations: Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road. 185 Oxford Street was the site of their upholsterers' warehouse, described as a carpet & floor cloth factors and feather merchants with their interior decorating shop at 204 Tottenham Court Road. Over the years the company sold a range of cabinet and seat furniture, beds, upholstered goods (including bedding), carved oak dining room furniture and 'antique' furniture.