Nathaniel Palmer

Nathaniel Palmer (1774-1840) was for some time a Baptist (in his later years he may not have been) worshiping most likely in the 1790s at the Baptist meeting in Dean Street, Southwark, during hte ministry of William Button. Palmer was a successful corn factor living first at 42 Surrey Square where he resided with his wife, Joanna Dunkin, daughter of the Particular Baptist layman, John Dunkin (1753-1827), who was the brother-in-law of the Romantic novelist and writer, Mary Hays (1759-1843). In 1803 the Palmers moved to 12 Aldermanbury, and the Surrey Square home (which still stands today) passed to his brother-in-law, William Giles, Jr. Nathaniel Palmer was a partner in the firm of Scott, Garnett and Palmer until his death in 1840.  He became very successful and, after 1827, was responsible for providing considerable financial support to his brother, Samuel Palmer, Sr. (1775-1848), father of the Romantic artist, Samuel Palmer, Jr (1805-81). Nathaniel Palmer was also known to Crabb Robinson through his friendships with the Dunkin and Hays families (derived from his friendship with Mary Hays and her nephew and Crabb Robinson's distant relation, George Wedd). Robinson once referred in his diary to Nathaniel Palmer as a prominent solicitor, but that would not have been correct.