William Cole (of Bradford)
1848 Advert: 'WILLIAM COLE (late Engineer at the Bowling Iron Works) begs to announce to his Friends and the Public that he has commenced acting as CONSULTING ENGINEER.— Apperley Bridge.'[1]
1848 'LEEDS DISTRICT COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. Re W. Cole, Sen., and W. Cole, Jun., Bradford.— On Friday last. Mr. William Cole, who for the long period of 45 years filled the situation of engineer in the service of the Bowling Iron Company, and his son William Cole, who lately carried on business at Bradford, as a tea dealer, appeared before Mr. Commissioner West, to pass their last examination. Mr. Cariss, solicitor, appeared for the bankrupts, and Mr. Bond for the assignees. Mr. Cole, sen., was opposed on behalf of a number of creditors, by Mr. Barret, solicitor. After a number of questions had been put to him respecting certain articles of wearing apparel and furniture, which he had given to his children, with a view to show that he had transferred the property in contemplation of bankruptcy, but which insinuation he indignantly repelled, he addressed the Commissioner saying — If you will allow me to make a few observations on my past life, I will thank you. Commissioner : Certainly. — Mr. Cole : I have been in the employ of the Bowling Company for 45 years, and I am happy to say that they cannot charge me with defrauding them or anybody else. A few months ago I had not the slightest notion that ever I should he brought to a place like this, but, unfortunately, I was drawn into my son's business, and I borrowed money of a certain class of men, for whom I have the highest respect, and it grieves me to the heart that I should be the means of injuring them. But nobody shall lose by me if I can help it. For 45 years I have been in the situation that I mentioned, and I defy any one to say that I ever defrauded them of a penny. — Commissioner : Then the partnership with your son has brought you into these difficulties ? — Mr. Cole : Yes. — Mr. Cariss: — And during that time he has been a sleeping partner.— Mr. Barret : Did you ever give any of your daughters a watch?— Mr. Cole : No ; fortunately they have got husbands who can afford to buy them watches.— Mr. Barret : But you had a watch yourself ?— Mr. Cole (with much feeling) : Yes, here it is, your Honour: shall I give it up?— Commissioner : No. — The examination being closed, the Commissioner said, I think the bankrupt is very faultless, except that he has been foolish. He seems to have passed a very inoffensive life, and to be a very innocent man, except that he involved himself in things which he knew nothing about. I think it is a foolish thing for any man to become a sleeping partner, because he may awake and find himself in the Gazette. — The proceedings were adjourned to the 8th of September, for the purpose of amending the balance sheet. We may state that the fiat was issued on Mr. Cole's own petition, and the reason assigned by him for applying for it was, that he found the creditors were suing his son.'[2]