Falling into debt was a crime until relatively recent times and was not an occasional misdemeanour. Over 30,000 debtors were arrested in England in 1837 alone. An individual not engaged in business but declared insolvent prior to 1861 could not be made a bankrupt but could be sent to prison until his debts were settled. A commercial trader heavily in debt often escaped imprisonment but was declared a bankrupt. After 1861 an insolvent person and a bankrupt were treated similarly.
The London Gazette, first published in 1665, regularly and remorselessly printed notices of bankruptcies. Complete copies of the Gazette are held at PRO, SoG and the British Library, and various indexes exist. Other journals publishing similar notices were the Scottish Gazette, the Times, Gentleman's Magazine and Perry's Bankrupt & Insolvent Gazette.
A list of bankrupts, with their dividends, certificates from Jan. 1 1786, to June 24, 1806, inclusive. The whole faithfully and accurately transcribed from the London Gazettes, and arranged alphabetically, forming an index of commercial information
Ellwood J, (cert 27 Nov 1797) and Thomas Ismay (cert 10 Feb 1798, div 20 Mar 1799) calico printers, Brisco, Cumberland {Mounsey, Carlisle or Mounsey, Gary’s Inn div May 8, 1798, ar 20. 99 June 26, 1900 final
Partnerships Dissolved:
Daglish and Ismay –Newcastle upon Tyne, Chymists,
Perry's original Bankrupt and Insolvency Registry Office for
protection against frauds, swindlers etc., was established in London in 1810 and
published the Perry's Bankrupt and Insolvent Gazette, monthly from at least
1828. The Gazette also included lists of dissolutions of partnerships gazetted
in England and Wales. The names of the partners are given in full, surnames in
capitals, followed by trade and address, and date of the end of the partnership.
Ismay Joseph and David Longsdon, Skinners, Castle Street, Southwark, 16 th July
Eyles John Edward (666) Pet Creds. S. Sleight of Great Charlotte Street, Blackfrairs, H. Smethhurst and G Ismay of George Street Blackfrairs,
hat makers. Sealed 22 Nov
Ward George, of Clare Street, Clare Market, Middlesex, hatters, dl & ch sur to Com. Merivale, Sept 24, at one, Oct 25, at twelve, Bassinghall Street. Sol – Mr Carte of High Street, Borough. Mt Kitchener of Lothbury, official assig
Pet Crs Joseph Ismay, William and George Borradail,
of Bridge Road, Southwark, wholesale furriers Fiat dated 12th Sept
Ward George, hatter (Sept 13) Assig
Joseph Ismay of Bridge Road, Southwark, furrier
Eveleigh, Joseph Savory and William Eveleigh, of Union Street, borough of Southwark, co Surrey. Hatters and copartners (trading under the firm of Francis Eveleigh and Sons) Surren 26th March, one, 28th April, eleven, pr. Ct Bkpcy – Com Fane – Official Assignee W. Turquand Copthall Buildings. Sol – Lowless and Sons, Hatton Ct
Fiat dated March 13th. Pet Crs
Geo Borradail, Wm Borradail
and Joseph Ismay of New Bridge Road, Southwark,
merchants
Hudson Thomas William, (Dec 21) of |Dover,
Innkeeper. Trustees Thomas Ismay, ironmonger
& Stephen Court, wine merchant both of Dover,
Sol. – Payn, Dover.
Thomas Ismay, of Carlisle, innkeeper and block cutter, 25th March. Twelve pr. County Court Carlisle
Nicholson John Ismay, Beasley & Co, of Lyon’s Quay and Somer’s Quay, Lower Thames Street, wharfingers and warehouse keepers 29th Sept. {1860}
Crook James and Joseph Ismay, of Southowram, brickmakers 28th July. {1851}. Debts by Ismay
Atkinson John Ismay and David Whitaker Spence, of Newcastle upon Tyne, wine and spirit, merchants, 10 th Sept
Fawcett John, (May 6) of Gateshead,
chemist and druggist, Newcastle. Trustees John Ismay,
chemist and druggist & George Dodds, drug grinder
both of Newcastle,
Sol. – J. Scaife of Newcastle.
Dalglish Mary and John Ismay, chemists, druggists and drysalters. Newcastle, 1st April. {1857} Debts by Ismay
Note.
I have assumed 1857, the register did not give a year.
Peake Daniel, (Mar. 18,) carpenter and builder, Charlton, in Dover. Trustees – Steriker Finnis, timber merchant, and Thomas Ismay, ironmonger, both of Dover. Sols – Bass and Stilwell. Dover
Nicholson John Ismay and Frederick Beasley, wharfingers and warehouse keepers. Thames Street and Beales Wharf , Tooley Street, Southwark. 29th Sept. {1860}
Note.
I have assumed 1860, the register did not give a year.
Ayers P and Thomas Ismay, contractors. Bow and elsewhere. 10th Sept. {1861}
Note.
I have assumed 1861, the register did not give a year.
Nelson Phillip, Sen, and Thomas Henry Ismay, ship and insurance brokers and commission agents, Liverpool. 1st April. {1862}. Debts by Ismay
Note.
I have assumed 1862, the register did not give a year.
Hutchinson Ralph, (May, 28)Blacksmith and provision dealer, Wallsend. Trustees – William Robson Lunn, Grocer, Newcastle, Robert William Cousins, enginewright, South Shields & John Ismay, druggist, Newcastle. Sol. W. Johnston, Newcastle
Robbins John Brann, (July,18) Blacksmith, Buckland near Dover. Trustees – Thomas Ismay, ironmonger, Dover. (2213)
Ismay Thomas and Samuel Richards Smyth, engineers, iron and brass founders etc., Phoenix Iron Works, Snargate Street and King Street, Dover. 23rd May. {1866}. Debts by Ismay
Note.
I have assumed 1866, the register did not give a year.
Ismay Thomas and Samuel Richards Smyth (May 22), engineers, iron and brass founders, ironmongers and smiths, Dover. Under the firm Ismay, Smyth & Co. Comp. (18,148) of 9s by 5 instalments, of 2s, 2s, 2s, 1s 6d, 1s 6d at 14 days, 6 weeks, and 4 months and 1st Feb and 1st June secured. Trustee Edward Hart, public accountant, Moorgate Street.
Grun, Nicholson and Co., merchants, Mincing la{ne}. 13th April {1876}.(Franz Robert Johannes Grun and Herbert Ismay Nicholson) Debts by Grun
Note.
I have assumed 1876, the register did not give a year.
Ismay William, farmer, Rochester. Div of 20s on or after Dec 29 at Sol G. Winch, New road, Chatham