Thomas Richards, Viaduct Brewery, probably Mill Bay

Canterbury Journal 9-9-1848 

Court of Bankruptcy, Sept. 4: Re. Richards, Folkestone.

This was the first meeting for the proof of debts and choice of assignees under the of Thomas Richards, of Mill Lane, Folkestone, brewer, &c. Mr. Bower, of Chancery Lane, agent for Mr. Hart, of Folkestone, attended as solicitor to the fiat, which was issued on the 16^th of August last, upon the petition of Mr. John Isaac Pope, of Folkestone, builder, a creditor for £77 17s.

It appeared that the bankrupt packed up his furniture and property on the 16^th of August last, and was assisted by G. Fynn, a labouring man, to remove it to the railway for London, when the present summary mode of taking possession of it was adopted by Mr. Pope, the petitioning creditor.

After the admission of several proofs, Mr. Pope was chosen assignee, and accepted the choice, and further proceedings were adjourned until the 13^th October next, on which day the bankrupt must come up to pass his last examination.

Protection was granted the bankrupt in the interim.

Viaduct Brewery, most likely Mill Bay.

Dover Telegraph 21-10-1848, Canterbury Weekly Journal 28-10-1848 

Court of Bankruptcy: Re. Richards, Folkestone.

The bankrupt, Thomas Richards, of Mill Lane, Folkestone, Kent, brewer and beer seller, came up on Friday, as that day had been fixed for him to pass his last examination.

Mr. Bower, of Chancery Lane, agent for Mr. Hart, of Folkestone, solicitor, attended on behalf of the trade assignee, Mr. J.I. Pope, of Fancy Street, Folkestone, builder, whose debt is £77 17s.

It appeared that the bankrupt was not prepared with his accounts and had not filed any balance sheet, and the Court, with the consent of the assignees, adjourned his examination until the 17^th November next. The debts proved at this meeting were about £340.

Canterbury Journal 25-11-1848 

Court of Bankruptcy: Re. Richards, Folkestone.

The bankrupt, Thomas Richards, of Folkestone, brewer, came up to pass his last examination.

The balance sheet showed his estate to be: Dr. To Creditors £702 1s. 5d.; ditto, holding security, £981 6s.; liabilities, £100. Cr. By debtors, good, £80 10s. 8d.; doubtful, £48 2s.9d.; bad (carried to losses) property, £135; property in the hands of the creditors, £1,055 1s. 3d.

A discussion arose upon a proof put in on behalf of Mr. John Barnes, of Great Ilford, Excise Officer, for £100, for money alleged to have been lent on the 9^th of July last to the bankrupt, and for which he gave his note of hand as security. The creditor had not the note with him, and as no account of the transaction appeared in the accounts of thye bankrupt his examination was adjourned until the 20^th of December for investigation.

The bankrupt`s protection was enlarged until the adjournment day.

Canterbury Journal 23-12-1848, Dover Telegraph 30-12-1848

Court of Bankruptcy: Re. Richards, Folkestone.

The bankrupt, Thomas Richards, of Folkestone, brewer, came up to pass his last examination. Dr., to creditors, £712 7s. 8d.; ditto, holding security, £660 16s.; ditto, estimated to be valueless, £320 16s.; liabilities, £100. Cr., by debtors, good, £21 18s.; doubtful, £59 17s. 9d.; bad (carried to losses); property, £50; in the hands of creditors, £900.

Mr. Bower said he believed the bankrupt had disposed of his property, and then left Folkestone for Guernsey, but as no benefit would arise to creditors by an adjournment, he should reserve his opposition for the certificate meeting.

The bankrupt, in reply to His Honour, said “The fiat was posted against me on the 16^th of August. I surrendered myself as soon as I heard of it. I was then in Guernsey, which place I left on the 9^th of October, and surrendered on the 11^th. I did not know I had been made a bankrupt until the 12^th of September. I was ill at the time, and was then staying at Guernsey, and went to Jersey for the benefit of my health. I had no idea of being made a bankrupt”.

His Honour: How can you say that, when you owed nearly £860, and have not given up £20 of property?

After further examining the bankrupt, His Honour said he might pass his last examination, and the proper course would be for the assignees to lay his conduct before him when he asked for his certificate.

The bankrupt then passed.

Maidstone Gazette 20-3-1849, Dover Telegraph 31-3-1849

Advertisement: Folkestone, to Brewers and Others. Mr. Major is directed by the mortgagee of Mr. Thomas Richards, a Bankrupt, and with the concurrence of the assignees, to sell by auction, at the Rose Inn, Folkestone, on Monday, April 9^th, 1849, at one o`clock in the afternoon;

All the freehold property, known as the Viaduct Brewery, containing convenient dwelling house, with brewhouse, stable, yard, garden, and all the necessary convenience for carrying on a lucrative business.

In addition to the above will be sold (on the premises) the whole of the implements of trade, which will be put up in suitable lots for the convenience of the purchasers, comprising a quantity of butts, pipes, hogsheads, barrels, kilderkins, firkins, pins &c. &c.

Also beer stocks, spring cart and harness, hand truck, ladders, slide, malt mill, large sign-board, nine-pin frame (new), trusses of hay, cutter box, and a variety of other articles used in the above line of business.

This property is in a most commanding situation, being immediately opposite the new street, and therefore well adapted for any description of business.

Further particulars may be obtained of Messrs. Cobham and Ashfield, solicitors, Ware, Herts., or of either Richard Hart Esq., solicitor, or the Auctioneer, Folkestone.