Letters from John Stead

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 19-Dec-1849
Huddersfield Dec 19th 1849
Mr William Hall
Dear Sir,
You will have learnt from
your family the decease of your Uncle
Joseph Woodhouse, and it is my duty
to inform you that you and I are
left executors under his Will dated
the 10th instant. The tenor of his Will is
that Mrs Joseph should have all the
furniture, stock in trade & c, after payment
of the debts, for her own benefit,

and the dividends or profits of Joseph's
share of the Ramsden Mill Property
for her life, and at her death, to be
equally divided between the two
children. I do not know at present
what the liabilities may be, but have
no doubt but there are Book debts
sufficient to pay all demands.
The funeral is fixed to take place
on Friday at Golcar to leave here at
eleven oclock am, when if convenient
you are desired to attend, and then you

would be abLe to judge better the position
of affairs, and I could learn your
wishes, with respect to the future
management, and as soon as some
valuation can be fixed on the effects it
will be necessary I believe for to go
before the surrogate and prove the will.
I am Dear sir,
Yours truly,
John Stead
at Messrs John Cooke & co, Huddersfield

 
 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 26-Dec-1849
Huddersfield, December 26 1849
Mr William Hall Jnr
Dear Sir,
I duly received yours of the 20th instant and should
have replied sooner, but have been very much engaged owing to the
death of our Mr William Cooke the senior partner in the firm by which
I am employed. I have not as yet made a complete analysis
of Joseph Woodhouse's books, they are in a very confused state
though perhaps not more so than the general state of tradesmen's
books in his line, and I am sorry to state that since I
last wrote, I have been informed of very old long standing
account to trust Joseph Woodhouse & Mr Henry Roebuck a
wholesale butcher, by which it seems that Joseph will be
indebted to Roebuck above £150. I do not know how
they have managed between them but a balance was struck
in 1845 leaving J Woodhouse D £100 and since then two or
three other balances of £20 & £30 each to his debt, and then

they seemed to have opened a fresh account, leaving the old
balance unprovided for. If Roebuck persists in his
claim to the full, I do not know what is best to be
done except to let him take all, and make the best of it.
I think £20 will cover all other liabilities, and perhaps
there is £40 or £60 recoverable book debt, the furniture
would not fetch more than £40. Of course, I am merely
guessing these respective amounts, from a cursory glance at
the books, though as I before stated they are in a very confused
state, and no regular postings, but can for innumerable.
You are perhaps aware that Joseph Woodhouse on the death
of his father would have become entitled to the freehold as heir at
law to his mother, in the Ramsden Mill Property, the Interest
of this, he leaves in his Will to his widow for her life and at her
death to be divided equally between his two children, now if
Mr Roebuck insists, this might I believe will have to be sold
but I intend to see Mr Roebuck, and inform him how affairs stand

and learn from him what composition he will accept, but if
he seems disposed to wait until something turns up, I think
it will be better to consult some respectable attorney, and let
him wind the affairs up, it is no use the widow attempting
to go on with a weight of debt over her head, and all had
better be settled now. Waiting your opinion on the various
points.
I am Dear Sir,
John Stead
direct
Mr John Stead
Messrs John Cooke & Co
Huddersfield






 
 
 
 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 16-Jan-1850
Huddersfield Jan 16th 1850
Mr William Hall
Salford,
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 15th instant (yesterday) is duly to hand. Since
I last wrote. I have made out a list of Joseph Woodhouse's debtors
which I find amounts to £70.8.9 but from the reception I
met with at several places when I waited upon them with their
accounts, I do not suppose we can realize above £40 inclusive
of £19-0-0 odd that by Uncle Joseph Woodhouse which I am
afraid we shall have some difficulty in gathering. I have written to
him to tell him we shall require all we can get by the end of the
month, and as he pleads Mr Donning, the incumbent of Golcar
owes him £35, I have told him to get an acceptance of him
if he can; I think I can get all things in place for
a meeting of the creditors to lay a statement before them on the
evening of Monday January 28th at 7 oclock at which I should

wish you to be present or if this evening is inconvenient for you, you
will please to fix on another, only giving me timely notice, that I may
send a circular to every creditor. We sold the Pony Cart, harness
& stable utensils yesterday by public auction. They netted £6.14.10
this with 15/ received old debts and about 30/ balance left after paying
the funeral expenses out of the sick club's money, are all the assets
so far. I have written for the Doctor's bills, and shall put in the
list of creditors, the rent, poor rate, rent of stable, shop in the_,
Money Club at Golcar, and every debt we can find out, and then
we can calculate how much to offer in the £. I think from 4/
to 5/ in the £ might be raised, that is to say by disposing of the furniture
payable in 3 & 6 months, and if the principle creditors will not
agree to the proposition, why then we will give up the whole
concern into the hands of some solicitor, and he must work it
through as he can according to law. Mrs Joseph and me
wish respects to each and all. I am yours very truly,
John Stead


 
 
 
 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 22-Jan-1850
Huddersfield, January 22 1850
Dear Sir,
In consequence of the unfortunate
events into my father in law's affairs,
which has fully occupied my mind for
the last four or five days, I shall be
obliged to postpone the meeting of your
Uncle's creditors for a week or two, until
we get something more settled, as what
with one thing and another I am completely
run off my feet, to the neglect of own
proper affairs. Excuse the brevity,
you will find more details in your Aunt's
letter. I am dear sir,
yours truly,
John Stead

 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 6-Feb-1850
Huddersfield Feb 6th 1850
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 26th was duly received
and having in some measure got settled again
after my father in law's sudden though not
unexpected overthrow, I think I can get
Joseph Woodhouse's affairs into a train for
examination, by the this day week, Wednesday
Feb 13th or Friday the 15th, whichever day you
can make it most convenient. When I
receive your reply, I will address a note to
each executor calling the meeting for seven
oclock in order that you may arrive by the
train leaving Manchester at 3.15 and we
can examine and talk things over previous
to the meeting. if any man had done
his utmost to derange and entangle his affairs

he could not have done more than my father in
law. Ignorant of the common rules of arithmetic
he has been buying & selling houses & land, getting
money out of clubs, mortgaging one property
to buy another with, that you never saw not
heard of such an entangled state of things &
though I have had the best professional advice
to save the wreck, though the cargo has gone,
yet I should think it advisable to leave all
to its fate, for fear that I may get engulfed
and yet he sticks as tenaciously to the idea
that 'they will not do this' and 'they cannot
do that', and so he will i think until he
gets fastened up in York Castle, which I
really think will be the upshot.
Mrs Joseph is very well, and seems very

anxious that her affairs at all events should
be brought to a settlement, as though the
shop may just be keeping itself, yet there
is not any profit to encourage her to
carry on that line of business.
With respects to all
and awaiting your reply
I am Dear Sir
Yours very truly,
John Stead



 
 
 
 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 18-Feb-1850
Huddersfield, February 18th 1850
Mr William Hall
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 15th instant is duly to hand, and Mr Donning shall be
applied to either personally or by letter in a few days, though by all reports
the Reverend Gentleman is just as good a shifter and as short of money as our
debtor Joseph Woodhouse, and his pew rents are in general all spent before
they come due, and some money which he borrowed a few years ago to discharge
on account of your Uncle Joseph who was then pressing him, is still to pay back.
Mrs Joseph to whom I communicated the contents of your letter feels rather
unsettled since, with respect to coming to Manchester, as she had decided on
trying something here, but she will do what her family may consider the
best. With respect to disposing of the furniture, we scarcely understand
what you mean by saying let all be sold, and then anything that 'might go
cheap, or be useful hereafter to be bought in again', for I see no necessity to sell
at all anything which Mrs Joseph would think useful in case she had to furnish
another house, it could unnecessarily swell the auctioneer's bill, the only
question is what to reserve and what to sell, however this can be settled
when you and father have seen the inventory which I enclose, and which
I do not consider so highly values, besides we were obliged to say between £30
& £40 to save appearances, or it might have been remarked by the creditors at

what a low sum we had put in for the furniture. You are aware also that
several things were omitted purposely, having been removed to a safe place for
we did not know at one time but that Roebuck might have been saucy and
taken proceedings against Mrs Joseph. These things Mrs Joseph purposes keeping
almost under any circumstances, and they might remain where they are, at
my house until something was settled at Manchester as to Mrs Joseph's future
residence and intentions. On the inventory you will find marked the Siege
of the Pier Glass and carpet. I have settled with the Doctors, for one sovereign
each which I think is well done. Mr Taylor grumbled and said his profession
always expected their fee previous to leaving the house, and added when he was
in London he never kept any books. We have put large bills up in the
windows of the house and also the Shambles shop To Let and several have
looked in, enquiring rent & c, and I doubt not letting the shop in a very
short time, so some decision ought to be come to whether it is to be a partial
or clear offsale. Since writing as above, I have seen your Aunt and
read her what I had written; she says she has thought if she came over
to Manchester for a day to talk matters over, she might form a better idea
of the family's wishes & instructions, but will await your reply to that.
Mrs Joseph & family join me in love and respect to each and all.
Dear Sir, I am yours, very truly,
John Stead.

For your grandfather's information, i send a list of the debtors
& creditors
To Henry Roebuck - 168.14.11
Ian Heptenstall - 7.5.4
John Poppleton - 9.6.9
Ian Hurst - 1.1.4
Bradshaw surgeon - 2.18.6
Dr Taylor - 4.4
Estate of Sarah Hall -6.0.0
Money club at Golcar -4.4.0
Clapham Simpson - 1.10.6
Mr Broadbent - 20.10.0
Rent of Shop & House- 5
Rent of Shambles shop-3
Rent of Stable -12/
Gas Company 1.9.6
1.18
________
£237.14.10

Sundry creditors including
Joseph Woodhouse 19.7.2
Costs of hearing summons} £75.1.9
Furniture & other effects £41.11.10
_________
£96.13.7



 
 
 
 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 21-Mar-1850
Huddersfield March 21st 1850
Dear Sir,
You would begin to think you had almost lost me for your
correspondent, but since Mrs Joseph's visit to Manchester, we have been
gradually bringing the affairs into smaller compass. On the 7th instant
Mrs Joseph removed to her new dwelling and we had a sale of the old and
other articles that she did want to take with her. The Gross amount was
£ less for auctioneers charges £ realising only £ 12.17.5
but we did not sell the most valuable articles, such as the chimney glass
mahogany drawers, bed & best bedding, dining table, large cupboard & c.
We have since succeeded in finding a tenant for the old premises
but have had a great bother with the landlord or rather landladies
whose demands were so exorbitant respecting the pictures, making up the
windows, and leaving the premises in the same and as good a state as they
were when Joseph Woodhouse entered, that we were obliged to leave the
fixtures to the incoming tenant in order to induce him to take the premises
off our hands, thinking it was best to sacrifice something at present than
to have a rent recurring on. I have just money in hand to pay




 
 
 
 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 6-Apr-1850
Huddersfield, April 6 1850
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 27th duly reached me
and I have paid Robert his first dividend and
got a stamped receipt for the same.
With respect to Mrs Joseph's lady lodger, your
family need not be under any apprehension
on her account, she is all i point of family
connections respectability, that can be wishes.
I think we shall come very near our orginal
inventory, of the value of the furniture 41.11.10
as we sold for by auction - 12.17.5
the pony cart do - 6.14.10
Mrs Joseph took the
Dining table - 1.10.0
Drawer - 4 " "
Chimney Glass - 4 " "
Carpet - 1 " "
Camp Bed - 1.5 "
Flock beds - " 10 "
Washstand & bedroom
chairs - " 17 "
Couch 5/, Cup board 20/
Fender 4/ 1.9 "
_________
£34.3.3
leaving about £7 short.
We have a_ beans for which we have
had an on offer - 1.0.0
a Tudor bed, for the bed left - 1.10
and Mrs Joseph took nearly all the linen, bedding,
the clocks, large table in the shop & c besides.
I saw Joseph Woodhouse on Tuesday, all
shuffle and promises as usual, there will be
nothing got there except by force, but I should
like to get a few £s from him so as to bring it
under £20 again, as at present with his share
of the expenses. Court fees to it is £22.3.4
I have paid £10 for the rent to May 1st, but
shall have the month's rent back from the new
tenant, when due, which will make about £3.10.0
more than in our calculation, as we only put in
rent to Joseph Woodhouse's death or 1 quarter.
When I have seen your grandfather, which I hope
to do on Thursday, we can then arrange
about procuring the Will, but I should like to
have some arrangements with Poppleton &
Heptonstall first, from whom I have not
heard anything since I saw you, and who I
think are waiting the course of events, but with
whom we shall be obliged to make what terms
we can - though I do not see that Robert can
claim anymore from us than agreed upon, with
him whatever may be the amount paid the others.
With respects to all
I am yours truly
John Stead



 
 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 29-Apr-1850
Huddersfield April 29 1850
Dear Sir,
Enclosed you will find a letter which please sign or cause
to be signed by someone with an extraordinary hard spelling name, in
order to frighten some money from Joseph Woodhouse. I can get nothing
but shuffles from him, but I understand that he is to receive £10
from Mr Downing on Thursday, and this letter may perhaps cause
him to part with it or some of it to us. It is impossible to get
the money out of many of the debtors and I intend shortly to go to
the surrogate and ask for the necessary instructions for proving the
Will, and at what time, he is positively to be found, so as not to
call you on useless journey as I find we cannot get the
debts in by fair means, we must employ force.
I have settled with Poppleton for £2, but had a great
blackguarding from his better or rather worse half, who talked about
it being highway robbery, stealing and many other such like terms
in paying £10 with £2, and wished they could so, as then
they could afford to wear silks & satins, like other folks &c & c &c.

Though Mrs Joseph advertised three weeks ago her intention to give lessons
in drawing & c, she has not I understand had any applications as
yet, and I am afraid if she has to rely upon this to achieving for her
livelihood, it will be a very poor one.
Will you please state at your leisure, what time of the week
you are most at leisure to serve this will. I suppose the vicar
only does business in a forenoon, a Monday morning would suit
me the best, but as I before stated, I will call upon the vicar to get
instructions the first opportunity, so as to detain you a very short
time. I think we may safely swear to the personality being under
£100, as the Ramsden Mill is considered as freehold, or most part
of it. Mrs Joseph and family are very well and you will
please to make my apology to your grandmother, for not saying
goodbye to her as neither my wife nor I had any idea, but that
she was going to remain at Huddersfield, until the latter part of the
week. With best respects to all friends
I am, your very truly,
John Stead

 
 
 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 11-Jun-1850
Huddersfield June 11 1850
Dear Sir,
You will be glad to learn that I
have proved the will without the necessity
for your attendance. I merely had a
declaration to sign, and to make oath to the
truth thereof, and to pay £2.6.0 with an
intimation that 10/ & 15/ more would be to pay
upon receipt of the probate.
The 'to writ' had the desired effect in getting
us £10 out of the twenty owing by Joseph
Woodhouse and most terribly frightened he
was, never doubting, but that a posse of bailiffs
would follow after such a formidable looking

summons, and I gave him to understand
that it was still holding over him, that
this £10 would only procure a short respite.
Mrs Joseph has been doing a little of something
in the drawing line, and is very anxious to
get something to do.
I will write as often as there is anything
new, and I am glad to hear, you have so
much to do, at a more profitable rate I hope
than being an executor, which is anything
but a pleasant lot. With best respects to
all friends, I am yours truly,
John Stead

 
 
 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 17-Sep-1850
Huddersfield Sept 17 1850
Mr William Hall
Dear Sir,
Since I last corresponded with you, I have obtained
the probate of the will at a cost of £2.15.0, and so I am in a condition
to enforce payment to any or all of our refractory debtors. I think I
informed you that our "To writ" letter had frightened £10 out of mine
Uncle Joseph Woodhouse, and I have since written him, threatening him
with all the plagues of Egypt, if he disappoints us of the balance on Tuesday
next, which is the last day that I have able to get for him from that
terrible Manchester lawyer that frightened him before. I understand
that some pew rents become due on or about 4th Oct and he has promised
from the Rev Donning that his bill for beef shall be discharged therewith.
I should be sorry to throw any of Joseph Woodhouse's money away in
further legal proceedings but I am afraid that in the end, we shall be
obliged to put the screw on. Our next principal debtor, Charles Bradley
£5.10.9 has scheduled £4.2.0 thereof, and has a set off besides
leaving about 10/ or 12/ to draw. There are several others, to whom

I have written separately, or have been called upon by myself or your Aunt
from whom we get evasive answers or flat denials - or set offs - for instance
Joseph Wood - 15/10 a set off of 13/5
William Cliffe - 20/10 station master, Batley. I have written 3 or 4 times, no reply.
Turner, Zetland Inn 34/ - set off 15/ for subscription to the club
and says, he has paid part of the balance. I cannot get his bill
though I have been 4 times in the last 10 days.
Inman - 12/8 - asked bill set off.
Joshua Hall, Milur Bridge 13/8 scheduled
Edward Eastwood 35/4 - dead no effects - and so to the end of the chapter.
Now for the other side, we owe yet
Henry Roebuck £16.17.4
Heptenstall £5.5.4 - and a few shillings interest.
Clapham & Simpson £1.10.6 - they claim something more
William Broadbent £15.10.0 - and some interest
Estate of Sarah Hall £6.0.0. You are aware that Roebuck's
second dividend is due on the 1st proximo, and unless Joseph Woodhouse's
brings his money, we shall be in a fix, for I have nothing in hand, for
the £10 received from Joseph Woodhouse and about £6 from other
sources has been paid by your Aunt £5 to Broadbent, £2 to Heptenstall,
the Will proving £2.15.0 and housekeeping expenses. I should suppose
we have swallowed up the rest. You will therefore now have an idea
how things stand with us, Roebucks is the only debt which is pressing

for should he not be paid according to promise, he might come back
from his agreement, which would be serious indeed. However we shall
see what Joseph Woodhouse does next Tuesday, and if no better, I must
wait on Henry Roebuck and explain to him and get him to wait
until after the Ramsden Mill meeting, when most probably
I shall see your grandfather.
With respect to each member of your family.
I am
Yours every truly,
John Stead

 
 
 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 31-Aug-1859
Stables Street
Huddersfield Aug 31 1859
Mr William Hall
Dear Sir,
I wrote to your father about
a fortnight ago, at the request of Mr Hesp
the solicitor to the Ramsden Mill Co. to
enquire if amongst your late grandfather's
papers, there was a deed of the date of
1st January 1805, between William Bathy of the
first part, William Hall & Mr Straw of the 2nd
part, and William, Sarah, Elizabeth, Martha
Mary Hall of the 3rd part. This deed
is registered at Wallofield, but Aunt Walker
has no recollection of its purport. I

have not had any reply from your father
but as I learn you were one of your grandfather's
executors, it is probable that you will have
access to his papers, and Mr Hesp will thank
you to see if this is amongst them or any
other papers belonging to the Ramsden Mill
Estate to facilitate the carrying out the

shareholder, is liable for the company's debts
and the number of shareholders is daily
increasing, and consequently the liability to
disagree is greater. Mr Hesp states that
it is very necessary the deed in question
should be found, as it may have altered
the powers of bequest of the children of
Mary Hall (your great grandmother) in fact there
is no knowing what it was for, but at
all events it was registered at Walleford
on the date given - January 1805.
A reply at your earliest convenience
will oblige, yours truly,
John Stead

 
 
 

  Letter from John Stead Colleague to William Hall 9-Sep-1859
Hudddersfield 9th Sept 1859
Sir,
Mr Stead of this place, has
handed us your letter to him of the
4th instant, in which you state that the
deed of 1st January 1805 made between
William Baltze of the 1st part
William Hall & Ino Shaw of the 2nd part
and
Mrs Hall, Sarah Hall, Elizabeth Hall,
Martha Hall & Mary Hall of the 3rd part
is in your possession, & will be forwarded
to us on an understanding that it
will be returned to you. We undertake
to return the document within 24 hours
after it has been received, & shall be
glad if we can have it on Monday next.
We are
your obedient servant
Hespwith.

William Hall Esq
Surgeon
9 Crescent Parade
Salford
Manchester

 

  Letter from John Stead Colleague to William Hall 12-Sep-1859
Huddersfield 12th sept 1859
Sir,
In accordance with the
undertaking given in our letter
of the 9th instant, we beg to return
the Deed, therein referred to,
received this morning, by
Book Post. Please to
acknowledge its safe arrival
I oblige
Yours respectfully,
Hesp & Owen


 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 23-Jul-1860
Stather Street
Huddersfield July 23 1860
Dear Sir,
The transfer deeds of the old Ramsden Mill Company to
the new joint Stock Company are now ready for signing, all the
parties at Huddersfield have signed this morning and as five who
have to sign in or around Manchester, Mr Owen, Solicitor, proposes
to come over to Manchester on Saturday next the 28th instant. He will be
at the Blackpool Commercial Hotel, Blackpool Street at 1 oclock
where you will please to meet him along with your father, Uncle William,
Mr Cantell & George Woodhouse to all whom I have written to be
there at the same time.
With respect from all here,
I am Dear Sir,
Yours truly,
John Stead.
Mr Hall Esq
Surgeon
Salford

 
 

  Letter from John Stead Huddersfield to William Hall Salford 24-Jul-1860
Stather Street
Huddersfield July 24 1860
Dear Sir,
In reply to yours of this date, though your father & Uncle
William are the bona-fide owners of the Ramsden Mill as they stood
at your Grandfather's death, yet there are 7 shares out of 21 which
Aunt Walker at present enjoys which belong to your grandfather's estate
after Aunt Walker's death which were bequeathed by Aunt Sarah Hall.
Now I am informed by the solictor that the reason you & Mr Cambell
are required to sign is as executors to your grandfather and that
the additional amount or value of the shares since Aunt sarah's
death is personal property and consequently belongs to the residue
of your grandfather's property, not to those to whom the mills are
bequeathed and that you as executor have it in trust, and besides you
are personally interested as my co-executor under Joseph Woddhouse's
Will, and we have placed his shares in trust for his children
after the decease of Joshua Woodhouse and your Aunt Woodhouse but
Mr Owen will be better able to explain these last points better than
I can,
Yours very truly
John Stead

Wm Hall Esq, Salford

 
 

  Letter from John Stead to William Hall 24-Jul-1860
Stather Street
Huddersfield
July 24 1860
Dear Sir,
In reply to yours of this date, though your father & Uncle
William are the bona-fide owners of the Ramsden Mills as they stood
at your grandfather's death - yet there are 7 shares out of 21 which
Aunt Walker at present enjoys which belong to your grandfather's estate
after Aunt Walker's death - which were bequeathed by Aunt Sarah Hall.
Now I am informed by the solicitor that the reason you & Mr Cambell
are required to sign is as executors to your grandfather and that
the additional amount or value of the shares since Aunt Sarah's
death is personal property and consequently belongs to the residue
of your grandfather's property - not to those to whom the mills were
bequeathed and that you as executors have it in trust - and besides you
are personally interested as my co-executor, under Joseph Woodhouse's
will - and we have placed his shares in trust for his children
after the decease of Joshua Woodhouse and your Aunt Woodhouse - but
My Owen will be better able to explain these last points better than
I can.
Yours very truly,
John Stead
Mr Hall Esq, Salford

28 July 1860
Value of Ramsden Mill Co: £14000
8 marginal shares £1750 each
again divided into 5 parts: £350.
1/5 of a 2 and 8th under the will of the
late Hugh Ramsden of 1812
& one full 1/8 share under Joshua
Hall 1805.
420 shares to the Hall family.
84 each under the will of my grandfather
William Hall.
Also 21 shares under the will of Sarah
Hall.
7 additional shares under the will of
Sarah Hall as _ & Mrs Walker
for life only.
John Hall 52 shares
William Hall 53 shares
The 21 shares held for life by Mrs Walker
are divided into three portions, one to
my grandfather & consequently to my
father & Uncle William & another to
Joseph Walker & Sarah Taylor & the last
to Joseph Woodhouse, Mary Whitwren &
Sarah Stead.

Aunt Woodhouse has 56 shares which
are to be divided at her death between
George & Martha Jane Woodhouse,
Joshua Wooodhouse has the interest
in the above during his life, then
it falls to Aunt Woodhouse &
upon her death to her children.

 
 

  Letter from Mr Stead to J P Hall 3-Feb-1890
Hortonthorpe
Huddersfield, 3 Feb 1890
Dear Mr Hall,
I am duly in receipt
of yours of the 1st instant.
With respect to the interest
to be received from the Huddersfield
Corporation, you are perhaps aware
that Mr Joseph Clark of Huddersfield
is co-trustee with myself. On the
1st January I received the dividend
warrant made payable to myself
and Mr Clark. I went to Huddersfield
on the 7th January and found that
Mr Clark was in America and would
not be at home for several months.
I then went to the bank, but they
said they could not pay without both
signatures. I asked my own bankers
and they told me the same tale.
If I pay it be out of my own
pocket, and anything happening
to me before Mr Clark's return or
to Mr Clark might cause some bother.
What am to do - the bank is
so very particular. I find in one
case that 12 trustees had to sign
and Mrs Clark has no authority to
sign her husband's name, but I will
write to her and ask her when she
cannot to get his authority.
We are sorry to learn of Mrs Carhill's
serious position. I learn from Mrs
Woodhouse that she was in a
parlous state of health, but old folks
cannot expect to live for ever. I am
in my 83rd year. With respects to
yourself, Mrs Hall & family.
I am yours truly,
John Stead
Mr J P Hall
Oldham

 

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