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This page is part of a website based
on the life and achievements of eighteenth-century inventor Henry Cort. Please email site controller Eric
Alexander with any comments or queries. |
Toulmin and
other agents
The Toulmin
family
The
#1790 memorandum explains how Cort's loan to Thomas Morgan makes it
necessary to arrange the transfer of his navy agent's business to his neighbour
Oliver Toulmin. Cort's business begins
at 35 Crutched Friars, though he moves along the street to Gould Square after
his second marriage. Toulmin's is at
number 37.
Material recently discovered on the web reveals that Oliver Toulmin
is born in Bolton-le-Sands, Lancashire, where he is baptised in 1721 (the IGI’s record of a baptism on 8 July 1756 must refer to
a different Oliver Toulmin). But his
business takes him to London, where it evidently starts in partnership with
Thomas Mohringh in Old Broad Street.
Although they describe themselves as merchants, much of their business
is as navy agents. Apparently they also
have a contract to supply ballast to the navy.
According to a later lawsuit, Mohringh does not honour the
agreement made when the partnership breaks up.
He continues at Old Broad Street, while Toulmin moves to Crutched Friars.
Three Toulmin children are baptised at St Olave's.
It has been suggested that Oliver’s family in Lancashire is
associated with the Stout family who live nearby. Since Ellen Stout marries Thomas Cort of
Lancaster, there may be an early link with Cort’s supposed relations there,
even a possibility that Oliver procures Cort his first job as a navy agent.
Oliver Toulmin witnesses the wills of two of Cort's associates, Daniel Guion and Thomas Morgan. He also keeps an account for Coningsbury Norbury on Cort’s behalf.
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Administration granted to Oliver Toulmin a creditor of the said deceased. From probate entry for will
of Daniel Guion, 27 September 1788. |
Cash paid Mr Cort’s bill to Mr Jellicoe £236.17.9. From Toulmin account for Coningsbury Norbury, 21 June 1782 |
Commercial activities besides navy agency include a £665 loan in 1771
to Earl Verney, who pledges his share in Ranelagh pleasure gardens as
security. In 1773 Toulmin assigns the
debt to Sarah Ireson of Lincolns Inn Fields.
By 1783 he has taken his son Richard and nephew Oliver into
partnership (two sons named Oliver have both died in infancy). They move west to Lisle Street, where Oliver
snr dies in July.
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Toulmin, Oliver, Richard and Oliver.
Merchants, 37 Crutched Friars From London trade directory,
1782 |
Appeared personally James Oram Clarkson of Basinghall St London and Oliver Toulmin of Lisle Street St Ann in the City of Westminster.. well acquainted with John Becher late of Shutt End. From probate entry for will of John Becher |
In 1787, after the move of the Navy Office
to Somerset Place, the business shifts to Essex Street, off The Strand.
An 1805 trade directory registers "Toulmin, R & A T, Army
Agents, Surrey St, Strand". (This
may be the source of later confusion: Webster's
version of the Henry Cort story places Cort's 1765
business in Surrey Street.)
Richard’s new partner is probably his cousin Abraham, who is also
registered as a Navy Agent at 2 Hart Street, Bloomsbury, and who becomes a trustee for the widow and children of James Watson.
Other agents
The area around the Navy Office in the 1760s is a centre for agents
and for merchants involved in agency,
There is Albert Innes at 16 Gould Square, Crutched Friars. Early in the period we have Gathorne &
Davidson at an unspecified address in Crutched Friars. After Henry Cort leaves, James Sykes takes
up residence at number 31.
Ommanney & Marsh are round the corner, in Savage Gardens. Marsh is simultaneously a navy employee.
The partnership lasts eleven years.
When they split, new partnerships are formed: Ommanney & Page, Marsh
(son of the original) & Creed.
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There being no house to let
suitable for it, we returned to London, and took one in Savage Gardens near
Tower Hill; and we also agreed to transact business as Naval Agents. From George Marsh’s diary,
19 March 1750. |
When the partnership expired I
told Mr Ommaney I never more would have the least connection with him, and
that I should ever despise his principles and ungrateful conduct. In the eleven years of our partnership we
gained £22,000 the half of which he got entirely through my favour to
him. My son and Mr Creed have
continued in the business together very happy and successfully ever since,
and I have reason to be thankful that my son was not connected with so
avaricious bad principles a man, so contrary in respect to his turn of mind. From George Marsh’s diary,
18 October 1763. |
Eustace Kentish, in Tower Hill, who has a
disproportionate influence on Cort's life, is officially a merchant. Agency is only a small part of his business.
Then there is Daniel Hailes in Fenchurch Street
The move of the Navy Office in 1786
sees them all shifting west. By 1789
Sykes is the only one left: he moves to The Strand in 1793.
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Related pages |
henrycort.net
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