Banking
The Harding family were involved in banking during the 18th and 19th centuries mainly in the Tamworth and Bridlington areas.
This is a very informative article on banking in Tamworth which was published in a local Tamworth newspaper in 1967. It was mainly about the National Provincial Bank. Linked here and text repeated below
"BANKING IN TAMWORTH
The first bank to be opened in Tamworth appears to have been the firm of Peel and Wilkes. The following extract, taken from "A Hundred Years of Joint Stock Banking" by W.F.Crick and J.E. Wadsworth, indicates that it may have been started in the late 1770s.
"Here the story arises from the enterprise of Joseph Wilkes, born at Overseal, near Ashby, in 1732. At the age of forty-three Wilkes was described as a merchant in partnership with his brothers, but within a short time his centre of activity moved to Tamworth, where he became a cotton spinner as partner in the firm of Peel and Wilkes. There are some reasons for believing that the senior partner was a member of the family distinguished at a later stage by Sir Robert Peel, the father of the Bank Charter Act. The venture prospered and extended by adding to textile manufacture a banking business operating in Tamworth and district. When, in 1790, the partners enlarged the banking side of their business by joining a London banking firm under the style of Peels, Wilkes, Dickenson and Goodall, there can be little doubt that their interest in banking was supplanting their interest in manufacture. Three years later the name of Peel disappears from the London partnership, and that of the Reverend Thomas Fisher the younger, a son-in-law of Joseph Wilkes, is substituted."
The second bank to be established in Tamworth was that of Harding, Oakes and Willington founded around 1797 and which traded under the style of "Tamworth Old Bank". It is possible therefore that by this time the banking partnership of Peel and Wilkes at Tamworth had been dissolved, although Harding, Oakes and Willington used Wilkes and Co., Poultry, as their London agents.
The private bank of Paget and Corgan was also established around 1797. They, too, drew on Wilkes and Co., Poultry until 1805 when the latter ceased to trade. Like so many private banks affected by the aftermath of the Napoleonic wars, Paget and Corgan failed in 1816. Three years later, the Tamworth Old Bank met a similar fate and an announcement in the Lichfield Mercury of 11th March 1819 reads as follows:
"We regret to state that the Tamworth Old Bank of Harding, Oakes and Willington stopped payment yesterday, the l0th instant. On the same day the Branch Firm of Harding, Oakes and Willington of Burton stopped payment at noon. The (note) issues of the above firms are very extensive, in a most wealthy and populous district of the midland counties, and many other defections may be anticipated".
Against this background it is not surprising that commercial banking did not reappear in Tamworth for about 16 years. Meanwhile, however, the Tamworth Savings Bank was founded in 1823 and this continued to operate until 1897.
Neither were the developments in commercial banking over the years 1834 to 1836 calculated to restore confidence.
The Northern & Central Bank, which had a brief but spectacular career, opened a branch in Tamworth shortly alter its establishment in 1834. Following its failure towards the end of 1836, the business at Tamworth, together with the house and premises, was taken over by The Lichfield Rugeley and Tamworth Banking Company in January 1837. The latter was founded in May 1836 with a capital of £100,000 in 10,000 shares of £10 each with £5 payable on allotment, but by April 1837 was itself running into difficulties. Another major bank failure in the area was likely to have serious repercussions for all the newly formed joint stock banks and to protect its local interests the National Provincial Bank of England, as it was then known, opened a supporting branch- in temporary premises at Tamworth in November 1837. Negotiations followed for the transfer to it of the business of the Lichfield, Rugeley and Tamworth Banking Company, but for some these were frustrated by the failure of the directors of the latter to obtain the necessary authority from their shareholders. There was undoubtedly strong local support for the National Provincial since the minute books of the latter record on 23rd January 1838 "ordered that the Manager at Tamworth be instructed to accept Sir Robert Peel's offer to build a House for the Branch there". Nevertheless, the National Provincial's deputation recorded with some regret on 7th April, 1838, "that they were informed upon undoubted authority that two of the Directors of the Lichfield Hank at Tamworth were endeavouring to get up an opposition to this Establishment there, in place of affording it that support which, under the circumstances, it was fair and reasonable to expect". The main heads of agreement were reached five days later, but it was not until October 1838 that the transfer finally became effective and the National Provincial was able to occupy the Tamworth premises. The winding-up of the Lichfield, Rugeley and Tamworth Banking Company dragged on for some time after that, and even three years later the default of certain shareholders was still preventing the settlement of the Company's debts.
Thereafter, banking at Tamworth became a more stable business. For the next 28 years the National Provincial had the field entirely to themselves but the development of the town inevitably attracted competition from the other large joint stock banks. Lloyds opened their branch in 1065 and the Midland, then under the style of the London and Midland Bank opened in 1893. Barclays were relatively latecomers, and it was not until 1939 - one hundred years after the National Provincial - that their branch was opened in Silver Street.
This describes the banks we are aware of that were around the area of Tamworth and Bridlington
As well as the Harding name itself, Peels, Pagets were both related by marriage. Also, a Willington who was the Tamworth Town Clerk married Martha Harding, nee Tuffley, the widow of William Quartus Harding.
In Tamworth, Staffordshire
Tamworth Old Bank owned by Harding, Oakes and Willington failed at noon on 10.3.1819. See the attached article dated 16.11.1985 "The day the bank couldn't pay" in the Herald (a local newspaper".
Tamworth Savings Bank, backed by the first Sir Robert Peel opened in 1823
Paget & Corgan (in Tamworth) failed in 1816
Harding, Willington & Co mentioned in Election Verses of 1820 re Tamworth Banks see below
In Burlington and Driffield, Yorkshire
Thompsons Harding & Holtby
John Harding & William Holtby
Harding & Holtby
Harding, Smith, Faber & Forster
Harding, Mortlock & Com
Harding, Smith & Stansfield
Harding, Smith, Faber & Co
Harding & Co of Bridlington, was established in 1802. In 1878 it amalgamated with York City & County Bank. In 1893 it changed its name to York City & County Banking Co Ltd and amalgamated with London Joint Stock Bank Ltd (est 1836). In Oct 1918 that bank amalgamated with London, City and Midland Bank whose name changed on 27.11.1923 to Midland Bank whose name later changed to HSBC
“Tamworth Bank. 1820 Election Verses”
[It is the 1st Sir Robert Peel ie the father of the future Prime Minister that is being written about. The 1st baronet was MP for Tamworth. The 2nd baronet was MP for an Irish constituency and then for Oxford]
“I sing not of a Man of Arms,
Of one who dares fierce war’s alarms
But one who Charity’s sweet charms,
Have taught for all to feel;
Of one, who, if perfection lies
On earth, so far beneath the skies.
Was sent from Heav’n to feast our eyes,
I sing Sir Robert Peel.
“when Harding, Willington, and Co.,
Once found their coffers running low,
Sir Bobby half afraid,
A creditor to large extent;
He on Security was bent
And preferr’d thus his aid;
“The Country know I roll in wealth,
Can give a crippled Banker health
If I but lend a hand;
Then to the bank he quickly hied,
Behind the Counter in a stride
Sir Bobby took his stand.
Demands came in, demands were paid,
And fresh deposits fearless made,
(When Bob was thought t’uphold the Trade,)
The Payments far exceeding,
Till Bob his keen Eye cast about,
The helpless firm began to pout,
FOR BOBBY DREW HIS BALANCE OUT,
His friends no longer heeding.
“The Customers ne’er dreamt of this,
For when they saw Sir Bobby’s phiz,
Cheer up, they cried and all was bliss,
Our Cash, we safe embark,
A Tamworth Note was still preferr’d
To Harry Hases’s flimsy word,
Whose imitation oft occurr’d,
In spite of water mark.”
A reference to forgeries which had greatly weakened the Bank’s credit, and for which Sir Robert Peel was certainly not responsible).
Soon tho’ too late, they to their cost,
Heard Bank had stopt and all was lost;
That Bon was all Finance,
More wily far than other Folk,
He kept his cash within his poke,
But lost his countenance”
When Sir Robert, shortly afterwards issued an address announcing his retirement, and admitting that he had lost its confidence, Tamworth went delirious with joy.
Tamworth Savings Bank
Report of trial at the Old Bailey 25.5.1814 re theft from mail coach carrying bank notes to Harding & Co of Tamworth
THOMAS JONES , alias CROSS, theft : simple grand larceny, theft : simple grand larceny, theft : simple grand larceny.
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t18140525-63
Trial Summary:
Crime(s): theft : simple grand larceny, theft : simple grand larceny, theft : simple grand larceny,
Verdict: Not Guilty,
Other trials on 25 May 1814
Name search for: THOMAS JONES,
Associated Records...
Original Text:
522. THOMAS JONES , alias CROSS , was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 19th of April, two promissory notes for the payment of 10 l. each, seven promissory notes for the payment of 5 l. the property of Thomas Wellington .
SECOND COUNT, the property of Thomas Dorial , the elder, and younger, and John Malone .
THIRD COUNT, charged with stealing nine stamps, value 6 d. the property of Samuel Tuffney Harding and Company.
And OTHER COUNTS, the property of other persons.
SIXTH COUNT, charged with stealing nine pieces of stamped paper, value 6 d. the property of Thomas Doriel and Company.
SEVENTH COUNT, a box, value 1 s. the property of Samuel Tuffney Harding and Company.
HENRY BATEFALL. I am a clerk in the banking-house of Doriel and Company; the names of the partners are Thomas Doriel, senior , Magenis Doriel Bacon , Thomas Doriel, junior , and John Malone , they are bankers, 22, Finch-lane, Cornhill.
Q. On the 19th of April, last year did you make up a parcel - A. I did; for the purpose of sending to Harding and Company, at Tamworth. The banking-house in Finch-lane, they are town agents of that bank.
Q. What was the amount of the notes you made up - A. 2,946 l. I made the entry from the notes themselves.
Q. Was there one for 10 l. No 9000 - A. Yes.
Mr. Gurney. Is it your own entry - A. Yes.
Mr. Alley. Turn to your entry, and tell me the two 10 l. notes, 535, and 629, what bank were these notes - A. That I cannot tell. They must be either the Barton or the Tamworth bank; I do not know which.
Q. Now, look for the 5 l. notes, I shall confine myself to seven of them; 5,938 - A. That is here; 5,938, 5,698, 5,678, 5,765, 4,593, 5,787, and 5,766, these were all 5 l. notes, that were put in the parcel to go to Tamworth; the parcel was made up in cartridge paper, and put into a small wooden box covered with shavings, to make it sit tight. The box was directed to Messrs. Peal's Harding, and Company, printers, Tamworth. When I had made up the parcel, and put it into the box; I put the box into the back accompting-house.
Q. Whose business was it afterwards to take it to the coach office - A. The junior clerk, William Ariel , or Robert Lock. the porter. They were to take it to the coach-office, I believe. I took it out of the accompting-house, and gave it to one of them; I do not know which. It went out of the house. When I parted with it for them to take it to the coach it was quite safe, and the same as when I made it up. This is the box that I put the parcel in; they took it away to the coach. It went out of the house secure; not broken as it is now.
ROBERT LOCK . I am a porter at the house of Doriel and Company. The box that was directed to Peal, Harding, and Company, printers, Tamworth, I took it to go by the Chester mail. Ariel went with me. We took the box to the coach-office, Golden Cross, Charing-cross. I delivered it, I believe, to one Mr. Thompson; I paid two pence for the booking, and I got a receipt for it. Thompson gave it to another man; the other man took it to the back of the office. It was perfectly secure; it was tied. The string was not tied as it is now, nor was the top of the box broken.
FREDERICK JOHN THOMPSON . I am a bookkeeper at the Golden Cross, Charing-cross. I was so on the 19th of April.
Q. Do you remember a box being brought to your house that you were to book to be sent to Messrs. Peale's and Harding, at Tamworth - A. I do; I gave a receipt for it. I have no doubt it is the box; it bears the number 16, which corresponds with the entry in my book; that is how I know it to be the same; to the best of my recollection, I received it about six o'clock, it was to go with the coach at seven o'clock.
To whom did you deliver the box for that purpose to be carried to the coach - A. We have two men, who are here.
JOHN WADSWELL. I am a porter to the bookkeeper at the Golden Cross, Charing Cross; I was so in April, in last year. It was my duty to put the parcels in a regular place that are to go by the
See original Chester mail; they are to be put in the coach by Day. The bookkeeper takes them, and books them. I put them into a certain place; Day takes them out of that place, and puts them into the coach. The 19th of April was Easter Monday.
RICHARD DAY . I am the porter that takes the parcels out, and help to load the coach. I was so employed every day last year; if I had taken a box in that state I should have brought it back to the office. It was not in that broken state when I put it in the coach.
MR. STONE. I am the coachman of the Chester mail; I was so on the 19th of April, 1813. I remember that box being in my coach. I drove the coach to Redbourne. Redbourne is twenty-five miles from London. I did not observe the box broken at all; I had not time to examine it; I got up in an hurry. I took up a person at the Royal Exchange; he said he was in the habit of going by the Glasgow mail, and as they were gone could I accommodate him to Hadley-high-Stoke, and then he could walk the remainder of the way to his own house. There was no one in the coach when he got it, not till I came to the Peacock, Islington; that is a house we all stop at; and at the Peacock I took up Mr. Wilson. I put the person that came in the coach at the Royal Exchange, down at Hadley-high-Stoke. Mr. Wilson had to go forty or fifty miles.
Q. Did anything pass at his going away - A. No; he turned down the Hatfield-road. Mr. Wilson I knew before; he is a respectable gentleman.
Q. Look round, and tell me whether you know the prisoner - A. I do not. It was nearly his size as possible, but his features I cannot recollect. He was dressed in dark clothes, or black.
Q. Which way did you come from the Exchange to Islington - A. By Moorgate, and up the City-road. I delivered the coach to Hope.
Q. Have you got your way bill - A. I have not.
Q. Did you put down all the passengers, and the one to Hadley-high-Stoke - A. I did not; the other I put down.
Q. That is shoulderage - A. Yes.
SAMUEL WILSON . I am a brewer; I live in Wellingborough. On the night of the 19th of April, I got into the Holyhead coach, at the Peacock, Islington. There was one man in the coach; he accompanied me to Hadley Heath . I had a little conversation with him; he told me he rode up in the morning with his horse and gig; he could not get through his business that day; and finding that he was not able to get through his business that day, he had sent his horse and gig back into the country. I considered him to be an innocent man.
EDWARD HOPE . I am the coachman that took the Chester mail at Redbourne; I drove to Ladbury. I was succeeded by Foster. There was one inside of the coach, and only one, a Mr. Wilson; he quitted it at the Swan, Newport. There was nobody else. I took up neither in or out.
THOMAS FOSTER . I took charge of the coach of the last witness at Ladbury; I drove to Northampton. I had one inside passenger; he was a sailor. I found him inside; he was alone fifteen miles. He was not a shoulder.
RICHARD TOOTH . I took the coach of the last witness. I drove the coach from Northampton to Litchfield.
Q. Did you find there was a box to be delivered to Peal's and Harding's - A. Yes, at Tamworth. I took it out of the coach, an delivered it to the innkeeper at Tamworth, Mrs. Lucombe; she is the mistress from Northampton to Tamworth. I took a lady up her name is Mrs. George.
HARRIET LUCOMBE . I assist my brother, and keep the inn at Tamworth. I recollect on the morning of the 20th of April, the last witness bringing a box to me; it was directed to Messrs. Peal, Harding, and Company. He brought it from the coach to me. It appeared to me that it had been broken. When I received it, it felt very light. I gave it to a person of the name of Hollier, who was to carry it to the place it was intended for.
- HOLLIER. I am an apprentice of Messrs. Peal and Company. I received a box of Mrs. Lucombe. I delivered it in the same state I received it to the servant in Mr. Eveleigh's presence.
RICHARD EVELEIGH. I am clerk to Peal, Harding, and Company, I received a box of Hollier.
Q. Did you take it to the Tamworth banking-house - A. I did not. I delivered it to Mr. Oxworth, in the same state that I received it. It was very badly tied, and appeared to have been opened by breaking. I told Oxworth so.
JOSEPH OXWORTH . I am clerk to Messrs. Harding and Company, at the Tamworth bank. Their names are Samuel Tuffney Harding, Charles Oakes , and Charles Wellington ; they are the partners. I received of Mr. Eveleigh the box in question. I observed it was very badly tied; it appeared as if it had been opened. The lead was cracked as it appears now. I opened it; it contained nothing but shavings. There is a branch of this bank at Burton.
Q. Do you ever officiate as clerk at the Burton bank - A. Sometimes. We have got the Burton book here; it is the hand-writing of John Lawson .
WILLIAM LAWSON . I am clerk of the Burton bank.
Q. Is that book your hand writing - A. No; it is John Lawson 's hand-writing.
Q. Produce your own book, and tell me whether you find a 10 l. note, No. 10,535 - A. No, I have no such 10 l. note.
Q.6029 - A. No.
Q. A 5 l. note have you, 5398 - A. No.
Q.5928, 5787, 5766 - A. No, no such numbers have been issued from our bank. I have been clerk there a year and a half. The entries of the notes are made in another book. This is copied from the day book. I have not that book here.
NOT GUILTY .