Tunaley Debtors, Insolvencies and Bankruptcies

in the Nineteenth Century

In reviewing this informatiom, it should be noted that up until 1869 in Britain, when the Debtors' Act was passed by Parliament, debtors were frquently sent to prison where the conditions were invariably appalling (click here for further information).

One Tunaley, who fell foul of the system and found himself in Lancaster prison 1857 for debt, was John Tunaley b. 1813, whose move from Derby to Manchester may not have been entirely coincidental with other Tunaleys having been in dispute with each other over Tunaley property in Full Street, Derby. This dispute culminated with the two cases at the Court of the Chancery in 1857 (click here). Records, including the notice in the London Gazette of August 28th 1857 (see below), show that, prior to moving to Manchester, John had been living with wife and family in Full Street, Derby and that John had been renting rather than owning this property. It seems reasonable to assume that, had the lodgings been the property of one or other Tunaleys with ownerhip in dispute, John would have been obliged to leave the premises pending these cases.

Moreover, records now indicate that, when John Tunaley married Sarah Wood, Duffield, Derbyshire, 1847 and left for Manchester, he was already the father by one Jane Till of several children (click here).

It is seen from the records below that, following the failure of his various businesses in Derby and Manchester, John subsequently found himself a prisoner of Lancaster jail at least between 5th. June 1857 and 11th. September 1857.

It appears two other Tunaleys, Charles Tunaley (b. 1844) and Matthew Henry Tunaley (John's son) managed to hang on until after the Debtors' Act was passed in 1869.

It is further noted that in the 1881 census Charles is listed as a blacksmith indicating that by then he had moved from being baker and grocer.

To review the various newspaper cuttings in chronological order, click on each of the links below:

1. John Tunaley, London Gazette, 30th January 1857

The above notice advises that the smallware partnership "Wood and Tunaley" has been dissolved and suggests that John Tunaley will continue as a sole trader.

2. John Tunaley, The Times, Saturday, January 31st, 1857.

One day later, the above notice in The Times confirms the smallware partnership having been dissolved.

3. John Tunaley, London Gazette, 5th June 1857.

This notice regarding "prisoners" advises that John is to appear before the County Court judge on the 19th June, 1857 (see also page 2012 of the London Gazette - click here).

4. John Tunaley, London Gazette, 9th June 1857.

This notice confirms that John is out of business and in Lancaster prison.

6. John Tunaley, London Gazette, 28th August 1857.

This notice regarding "prisoners" (click here) advises that John is to appear before the County Court judge on the 11th September, 1857. There appears to be one error in this document which states that John was previously living in the Morledge Derby and then in lodgings in "Hull" Street. In fact the 1851 census has John living in Full Street and the author knows of no "Hull" Street having existed in Derby.

This notice appears just 23 days after the case in Chancery between other members of the Tunaley family regarding property in Full Street (click here).

(John's death certificate shows he died 14th. October, 1863 aged 48 years at 74, Every Street, Ancoats, Manchester. Cause of death: "Cirrhosis and Exhaustion"- copy of death certificate kindly provided by Paul Tunaley).

(Present at John's death and the informant on the death certificate is a neighbour, one Maria Green of 75, Every Street, Manchester, suggesting perhaps that at the time of his decease, John was living away from the rest of his famuily).

(John's occupation is given on the certificate as "Master Dyer", although records seem to suggest that, at least after Thomas Senior's death, John was involved only in silk smallware manufacture. The author simply notes that Thomas Snape Tunaley, part-owner of the house that John may have been renting in Full Street, Derby at the time, had an association with Charles Harding, smallware manufacturer of Bolehall, Tamworth (click here)).

7. Matthew Henry Tunaley, London Gazette, 28th February, 1871.

This notice advises that Matthew Henry Tunaley (son of John above) and his business partner, John Bland, operating as Joiners and Builders, have been petitioned for bankruptcy, and on 23rd. February 1871 adjudged bankrupts. Also that they and their creditors are summoned to appear in court March 30th., 1871.

8. Matthew Henry Tunaley, London Gazette, 27th June 1871.

This notice advises that the bankruptcy adjudication was annulled on 22nd. June 1871.

(Q: Might Henry Tunaley (click here) have helped to pay off Matthew's debts ?).

9. Charles Tunaley (Derby), London Gazette, Oct. 11th 1872.

This notice advises that in accordance with the Bankruptcy Act of 1869, creditors of Charles Tunaley are summoned to appear at Full Street, Derby at the offices of Charles' own attorney.

10. Charles Tunaley (Derby), London Gazette, Nov. 5th 1872

This notice advises that an accountant has been appointed as trustee of Charles' financial affairs and requests creditors and debtors of Charles' business to come forward.

11. Charles Tunaley (Derby), London Gazette, 30th Sept. 1873

This notice sets a deadline of 10th October for submission of names and addresses of creditors regarding the liquidation of Charles' business.

12. Charles Tunaley (Derby), London Gazette, 1st. May 1877.

This notice is in connection with the meeting of creditors to discuss the "debtor's discharge".

(1881 census - Charles is now listed as a blacksmith - click here)