Enoch Meggitt, Cabinetmaker, Upholsterer & Undertaker

Enoch Meggitt started trading as a joiner, cabinetmaker, upholsterer & paperhanger in Bell Street in Mr B. Welsby's old tinsmith shop in January 1884. Enoch hailed from Yorkshire and had experience in carpentry, furniture-making, undertaking & decorative arts. Twelve months later he established Ipswich Furnishing Arcade in Brisbane Street, next to W. Siemon's at the Top of Town, where furniture and bedding were made to order. He retained the Bell Street workshop for joinery and shop fittings. In late 1885, Meggitt commenced undertaking services in Ipswich and moved his furniture arcade into Peter Thomson's newly constructed building next to the Joint Stock Bank in Brisbane Street. This  was the old site of Pettigrew's stores. Other tenants in Thomson's Building at that time were: Thomas Boyle the tailor, Beale & Co., and R. D. Graham. 

The 1880s appears a busy period for Enoch Meggitt. He supplied carpentry for some small jobs for the local council, shop-fitted the new Ipswich Drug Hall pharmacy, and fitted a shop and office in P. O'Sullivan's new building on Brisbane Street. He exhibited furniture that he crafted at the Ipswich Show and Brisbane Exhibition. In 1887, Meggitt also won an annual tender to supply "funerals" for Ipswich Hospital. At this time, his business in Brisbane Street was selling all kinds of household furniture including: iron bedsteads, palliasses, and made to order furniture. Old furniture was also repaired and refinished. In addition, all funeral requirements were stocked such as: cards, wreaths, crosses, robes and shrouds. Orders for funerals could be left at his residence in Brisbane Street or his workshop in Bell Street (close to the new railway station). 

Despite business diversification and apparent success in Ipswich, Enoch Meggitt moved to Brisbane at the end of 1888/early 1889, and was declared insolvent within a couple of months of the move. He died in November 1893.