The Lurgan Bank, Malcolmson's & Brownlow's. 1804-1820

Banknotes issued by Irish Private Banks ca1700–ca1833
Post Reply
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1107
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

The Lurgan Bank, Malcolmson's & Brownlow's. 1804-1820

Post by DOC »

An article in Coin News by Derek Young (IN No.53, P188-189) provides a nice overview of The Lurgan Bank which was based in Co. Armagh. The bank appears to have been founded in 1804 by Joseph Malcomson. William Brownlow took over as lead partner in 1805 and Joseph Malcomson became lead partner again in 1815 after the death of William Brownlow.

Here is an example of a 9 shillings silver note issued in July 1804 with partners Joseph Malcomson, Henry McVeagh, Alexander Cuppage & John Waite.
Attachments
Lurgan Bank Joseph Malcolmson & Co. 9 Shillings July 1804.jpg
Lurgan Bank Joseph Malcolmson & Co. 9 Shillings July 1804.jpg (150.85 KiB) Viewed 2421 times
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1107
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: The Lurgan Bank (Malcolmson's & Brownlow's) 1804-1820

Post by DOC »

Few notes of the Lurgan Bank survive. In addition to the 9 shillings silver note, PMI mentions a £1 note dated 1805 and provides an illustration of a 30 shillings contemporary forgery dated 1819. The early notes of the bank were also payable at the office of their agent in Dublin, Jonas Stott, Dominic Street. From 1808, the Dublin agent was changed to Wilcocks & John Phelps, Capel Street.
User avatar
Mac
Taoiseach • Admin
Taoiseach • Admin
Posts: 1917
Joined: 23 Jan 2015 15:05

Re: The Lurgan Bank (Malcolmson's & Brownlow's) 1804-1820

Post by Mac »

Kenny and Turner list Lurgan's Banks as having failed in 1820. The rarity of its notes might suggest that they may have largely been paid off.
User avatar
Mac
Taoiseach • Admin
Taoiseach • Admin
Posts: 1917
Joined: 23 Jan 2015 15:05

Re: The Lurgan Bank (Malcolmson's & Brownlow's) 1804-1820

Post by Mac »

Here is a link to a biography of William Brownlow. As well as being a banker, he was an MP, and strongly opposed the Act of Union.
dib.ie/biography/brownlow-william-a1062
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1107
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: The Lurgan Bank (Malcolmson's & Brownlow's) 1804-1820

Post by DOC »

Very interesting. That site is a great find and a treasure trove of information :) .
User avatar
Mac
Taoiseach • Admin
Taoiseach • Admin
Posts: 1917
Joined: 23 Jan 2015 15:05

Re: The Lurgan Bank (Malcolmson's & Brownlow's) 1804-1820

Post by Mac »

There is a lot of background information on many persons involved in the Private banks, with very well referenced entries, and contributors such as S. Cromien. A good resource.
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1107
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: The Lurgan Bank, Malcolmson's & Brownlow's. 1804-1820

Post by DOC »

This Lurgan Bank 1 Guinea note dated 1814 recently appeared at a Noonan’s auction. It features William Brownlow as lead partner along with Joseph Malcomson, Henry McVeagh and Alexander Cuppage. Notes of the Lurgan Bank are rare and this note achieved a hammer price well in excess of its estimate.
Attachments
Lurgan Bank William Brownlow & Co. 1 Guinea 1st Feb. 1814.jpg
Lurgan Bank William Brownlow & Co. 1 Guinea 1st Feb. 1814.jpg (128 KiB) Viewed 1734 times
User avatar
Mac
Taoiseach • Admin
Taoiseach • Admin
Posts: 1917
Joined: 23 Jan 2015 15:05

Re: The Lurgan Bank, Malcolmson's & Brownlow's. 1804-1820

Post by Mac »

Not many examples of notes from Lurgan Bank turn up.
Scarcer private bank notes have been doing well in recent auctions.
Post Reply