Willis, Percival & Company records

Records of Willis, Percival & Company relating to its operation and acquisition by Hampshire & North Wilts Banking Co. in 1878, including balance sheets, employment records, customers’ incidental papers, and liquidation papers.

This City of London firm’s origins go back to the goldsmith business of Thomas Williams who traded at the sign of The Crown in Lombard Street in 1677. By 1698 Benjamin Tudman, a 'goldsmith and bancker [sic] in Linnen' was at the address. In about 1708 he was joined by Stephen Child, formerly of the bankers Child & Co., when the business was renamed Tudman & Child. Frequent name changes followed as new partners joined and it finally became Willis, Percival & Co. around 1814. The bank financed international trade, in particular cargoes of sugar from the West Indies in the 1780s. In 1878 the collapse of a large customer, a Greek firm of importers, caused the bank to suspend payment with liabilities of about £500,000. It was acquired by Capital & Counties Bank (est. 1877) in 1878.

Access is by appointment only, and at the discretion of the Archivist. Please e-mail archives@lloydsbanking.com for further information.

Item level catalogue available - please e-mail archives@lloydsbanking.com for further details.