Court of Exchequer

[1pds]

Looking for help in finding out what happened to Samuel Loft:

There was a case heard at the Court of Exchequer, Westminster (on 5/7/1843) against Samuel Loft jun of Beverley, Yorkshire for manufacturing and selling rhubarb leaves in imitation of tobacco.  He was found guilty and received a fine of £300.  Adjusted for inflation that equates to about £14,000 I think!

The judge gave him leave to appeal against some of the fine.  I've not been able to find out what happened next.  Did he pay all or some of it?  Was he imprisoned?  I can find no reference to him on census information.  Perhaps he was transported? 

Any help gratefully received!

[CarolA3]

Hi 1pds

Was he married to Hannah or Mary?  And was he a blacksmith or a grocer?  Or does none of this relate to your Samuel

Regards,
Carol

[1pds]

I believe he was a blacksmith, although their is confusion with two Samuel Lofts at the same address. The one I believe it to be is he who was born in 1808...

[..claire..]

Is this the same man?

Taken from a newspaper report dated 20 March 1830, The York Herald

Insolvents Debtors Court, York Castle.

Samuel Loft late of Beverley Blacksmith was opposed by Mr Blanchard and remanded for four calender months from the filing of his petition, for having fraudulently made away with his property with intent to diminish the sum to be divided amongst his creditors.

claire

[1pds]

Yes, I believe it is him.  I've found the following:

Court for Relief of Insolvent Debtors at the Courthouse, York on 15/3/1830: “Samuel Loft, formerly of Hedon, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Apprentice to a Blacksmith, afterwards of the Town of Kingston-upon-Hull, then of Woodmansea, near Beverley, in the said East Riding, then of Barmston, near Bridlington, in the said East Riding, Journeyman Blacksmith, and late of Beverley aforesaid, Blacksmith.” 

However, I can't find out what happened to him after he was convicted a several years later for the following:

Court of Exchequer, Westminster (5/7/1843) against Samuel Loft jun of Beverley for manufacturing and selling rhubarb leaves in imitation of tobacco.  He was found guilty and received a fine of £300. 

I have no record of what happened to him following the conviction - ie did he pay the fine, was he imprisoned, etc.  I can't find him on any Census after thus event either.

Any help gratefully received! 

[..claire..]

Hi,

Newspaper report in The Hull Packet 24 June 1842.

IMPORTANT SEIZURE~a few days ago a Bow Street officer seized on the premises of Samuel Loft, Blacksmith, Beckside, a quantity of dock leaves and other broad leafed herbs, which he had dried for the purpose of sending to a tobacconist in London- where it is used to mix with the "poor man's weed". There was upwards of two tons so prepared, and it is said Loft had been carrying out the illegal practice for years.

The case heard in the Court of Exchequer was heard and reported in the Times Feb. 1843.

Nothing said or reported of what happened though!

claire

[1pds]

Thanks Claire. Are the newspaper records available on line? It would be good to get a copy for my file.

I still wonder what became of him after the court decision...

[..claire..]

Hi,

I have access through my library card, most libraries have free access to newspaper collections. There is also this website below ,if you register you get free credits to view the articles.

Use the advanced search and put in as much detail as you can,  "loft" gave plenty of articles. But there are articles about your Samuel.

www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

claire

[1pds]

Thanks Claire! Phil