History:
In 1855 William Edward Chivers was born in Avebury. His father, Henry, was a cabinet maker and thatcher like his uncle and grandfather.
In 1870 Chivers walked to Devizes with his tools to be apprenticed as a carpenter and joiner to his cousin, Jabez Chivers at 23, Sidmouth Street.
He remained there until 1884 when, after a disagreement with Jabez, he decided to set up his own business.
He rented a small workshop over stables at the Rising Sunpublic house in Southbroom Road.
His staple work was making coffins and butter boxes for Wiltshire United Dairies.
In 1913 Brown and May the engineering company went into liquidation and Chivers bought the 4 acre foundry site and he moved his business there in November 1913.
In 1916 William died aged 61 and the company was taken over by his eldest son Fred.
In 1942 Fred Chivers died and the company was then run by his brother Henry Chivers.
In October 1985 the company was in receivership.
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