Ffrench's Bank, Tuam, Co. Galway • 1803–1814 (AKA Tuam Bank)

Banknotes issued by Irish Private Banks ca1700–ca1833
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Re: Ffrench's Bank, Charles & Co. Tuam, Co. Galway • 1812–1814 (AKA Tuam Bank)

Post by DOC »

Good question. Thomas Ffrench founded Tuam Bank in 1803. The bank prospered in the early years and expanded with the addition of new partners. The attached Table shows the progression of partners based on notes observed to date. The transition to Charles Ffrench as lead partner is also included.

In line with the convention established by PMI, types are defined according to the different partnerships. For one of the partnerships, two note designs were issued. Looking at the overview, it is apparent that the notes observed to date are most likely a fraction of what was issued. The fun is to keep a look out for new items that will inevitably turn up.
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Tuam Bank 1803-1814.JPG
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Re: Ffrench's Bank, Charles & Co. Tuam, Co. Galway • 1812–1814 (AKA Tuam Bank)

Post by DOC »

Here are examples of a £1 banknote and £4 post bill issued with Charles Ffrench as lead partner and bearing 1811 dates. This suggests that Charles Ffrench took over Tuam Bank from Thomas Ffrench earlier than generally believed, in 1811 rather than 1812.
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Charles Ffrench & Co. Tuam Bank 1 Pound 18th November 1811.jpg
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Charles Ffrench & Co. Tuam Bank Post Bill  4 Pounds  21st December 1811.jpg
Charles Ffrench & Co. Tuam Bank Post Bill 4 Pounds 21st December 1811.jpg (158.86 KiB) Viewed 4220 times
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Re: Ffrench's Bank, Tuam, Co. Galway • 1803–1814 (AKA Tuam Bank)

Post by DOC »

The earliest known Ffrench’s Bank note is an unissued ‘Silver’ note for Three Shillings Nine Pence Half-Penny and dates from 1803-1804. The partners are listed as Thomas Ffrench & Co. and based on this description, I incorrectly assumed that Thomas Ffrench originally operated as a sole partner. However, looking at ‘Silver’ notes issued by other banks at the time, it appears that the rules regarding listing all partners were more relaxed for these lower denomination notes.

The monogram to the left provides a clue as to the partners issuing the note. It bears the initials M&K in addition to those of Thomas Ffrench which suggests that the first note issuing partnership is actually:

Thomas Ffrench, Michael Morris & William Kearey
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Monogram Tuam Bank 3s 9d Halfpenny Unissued ca.1804.jpg
Monogram Tuam Bank 3s 9d Halfpenny Unissued ca.1804.jpg (75.74 KiB) Viewed 2469 times
Tuam Bank 3s 9d Halfpenny Unissued ca.1804.jpg
Tuam Bank 3s 9d Halfpenny Unissued ca.1804.jpg (112.21 KiB) Viewed 2469 times
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