QSR1884/4/5/13-14/a

Depositions of Alfred Ewell, soliticor of Hart Hill, Luton, Richard Edward Cooke, articled law clerk of Dunstable Road, Luton, Alfred Atkins, journalist of Cheapside, Luton, Charles Henry Gough Knowles, solicitor of Chuch Street, Luton, Samuel Impey, court bailiff of New Town Street, Luton, William Burgess, straw hat manufacturer of Collingdon Street, Luton and Mary Ann Wyatt, single woman of Liverpool Road, Luton. In the case of George Palmer & Edwin John Palmer accused of defrauding creditors.

4 October 1884

From: 1884 To: 1884

Richard Edward Cooke: clerk to Mr Cooke, the Registrar in Bankruptcy in Luton. He had charge of the bankruptcy files. He produced the file of George Palmer, a builder of 23 Liverpool Road, Luton. The date of the petition against Palmer was 8 May 1884 and was made by William Henry Lavers, a timber merchant of 35 King William Street in the City of London and of Corner Hall, Wharf, Boxmoor in the County of Hertford. The order appointing a receiver was dated 3 June 1884 and the report of the Official Receiver was dated 18 August 1884. An order to prosecute the bankrupt and his son was made by Mr Whigham, County Court Judge on 13 September 1884. Alfred Ewell: Official Receiver in Bankruptcy for the district of Luton. In the course of his duty he made the report for the County Court judge. On 20 May 1884 an order was made against George Palmer and on 3 June 1884 a meeting of the creditors was held. He took the chair and the defendant George Palmer was present. George Palmer was examined by Mr White, Mr Never and Ewell. Notes were taken of the examination. George Palmer was asked for his papers but responded “I will not give them to you or any other man”. He went to his Registrar and the debtor was adjusted bankrupt the same day. A search warrant was applied for and Ewell sent his clerk to Palmer’s house. The clerk advised Ewell that he was unable to get in and the warrant did not authorise him to break in. On 4 June 1884 another warrant was applied for, this time allowing them to break in the house if necessary. Ewell, in the company of Mr Impey went to the house, with his clerk and Inspector Rogers. They walked in the back door and found the 2 defendants there. The made a through search of the premises, where they recovered many papers. Edwin John Palmer was examined before Ewell at a private sitting on 20 June 1884. The public examination of George Palmer was on 5 June 1884 both defendant were present and sworn in. Shorthand notes were taken. A statement of the state of affairs was sworn to a signed by the defendant George Palmer on 26 May 1884. It showed creditors fully secured £3840 10s 0d, value of securities £3805 10s 0d, leaving an alleged surplus of £35. Gross liabilities were £938 14s 3d and gross assets £51 11s 9d. Alfred Atkins: a shorthand writer and reporter. He attended the county court on 24 July and took shorthand notes and made a transcript of the 2 examinations of the defendants. Charles Henry Gough Knowles: a solicitor who first saw the defendants on 17 March 1884. He was given instruction by the defendant to prepare a Bill of Sale which was completed by the defendants in his presence. No money passed and they left. He saw them again on 20 March and received instructions to prepare an assignment of an equity redemption for the consideration of £303 14s 4d. He understood a portion of this amount had already been paid. The deed was executed by the defendants and taken away by the younger Mr Palmer. No money passed in his presence. On 18 April, Edwin John Palmer came to him with Mr Bacon to complete a bill of sale from Bacon to Palmer. That bill was subject to an enquiry before Judge Whigham and he appeared on behalf of Edwin John Palmer to support the bill of sale. The defendant was an execution creditor of Bacon’s. The verdict went for the defendant. On 22 May, George Palmer asked him to prepare a statement of affairs. George Palmer advised him certain property had been struck out of Miss Wyatt’s charge before he was adjudicated bankrupt and this release was drawn up to carry out the release of the property. Knowles was responsible for dating the document. Samuel Impey: a sub bailiff of the Luton County Court and he had known the defendant for some time. He produced the warrant book which included a commitment against Edwin John Palmer in May 1883 for 16s 6d and another in January 1884 for 18s 3d. He had seen Palmer personally on these commitments and he lad always asked for time to pay. The first execution against Edwin John Palmer was remitted to him from Clerkenwell Court in London at the instance of Francis & Company for £10 17s 4d. It was received on 22 October 1883 and on seeing the defendant the Palmer said he had nothing and was living with his father. He had another execution against both defendant s from John Langridge of Dunstable for £10 5s in March 1884. Some arrangement was made with the plaintiff. Another execution was issued in June against Edwin John Palmer on the instance of Mr Holehouse of Luton for £1 10s 6d. The money was paid. William Burgess: a straw hat manufacturer who had known the defendants for some years. In January 1879 Edwin John Palmer had come to him to learn the business. He received no wages for 3 months but then received between 8 to 10 shillings a week. From 10 January 1880 to about May 1880 he received a pound a week, and then he left and went to Mr C J Rosson & Son. Mary Ann Wyatt: a single woman of 31 Liverpool Road, Luton. She was sent a document by Mr Godfrey in February 1884 which she signed. She did not see the defendant George Palmer sign it. The elder Palmer asked her to execute the document. George Palmer told her he had sold some property to his son Edwin John Palmer and asked her if she would allow some to be struck out. She said she would. She had £480 left to her in a will which passed through Mr Neve’s hands and about £156 of her own. She lent George Palmer £500 in April 1882 and £80 in January 1882. She had since lent him various amounts. She had no paper, book or memorandum relating to the transactions. Statement of the accused: nothing

item

Palmer, George,
Palmer, Edwin John,
Ewell, Alfred,
Cook, Richard,
Atkins, Alfred,
Knowles, Charles Henry Gough,
Impey, Samuel,
Burgess, William,
Wyatt, Mary Ann

LUTON, Luton Liverpool Road, bailiff, BANKRUPTCY, solicitor, law clerk, journalist, straw hat manufacturer, fraud, builder, carpenter