"EX-PARTE WALL, IN THE MATTER OF CAVENAGH, BROWNE, AND BROWNE, BANKRUPTS. - In the Vice-Chancellor's Court, Monday, a petition was presented from Miss Mary Ann Wall, of Lambridge, near Bath, for liberty to prove a debt of 427l 11s., upon the separate estate of Mr Wm. Browne, one of the bankrupts. The claim arose upon a voluntary bond entered into by the bankrupt, about two years before the commission issued, whereby he agreed to allow the petitioner 30l per annum for life. It was stated that the petitioner was a cousin of Mr Wm. Browne, and had been several years in his service before this bond was given; that during such service it became convenient to the bankrupt that she should be removed from his residence, and this bond was entered into as a quietus, but since the bankruptcy she had returned to him. The petition was dismissed, and the petitioner was ordered to pay the costs. - [We have since heard that instead of the case being dismissed with costs, the petition remains, as it is to be heard on the 9th of March." (Cheltenham Journal and Gloucestershire Fashionable Weekly Gazette, 2 March 1829)
Subsequent articles in other papers glossed over the details, in one instance saying simply that Henry Browne (The other partner in the bank and William's relative) was the petitioner's trustee, and gave the bare bones of what the petition was about. Do I detect the sniff of a scandal here?