Dimsdale, Fowler, Barnard & Dimsdales

Dimsdale, Fowler, Barnard & Dimsdales (1759-1891), established in London, was a past constituent of NatWest.

Brief history

This private bank was founded in 1759 by the partnership of Sir George Amyand, Roger Staples and George Mercer. It was originally known as Amyand, Staples & Mercer, and was located at 49 and 50 Cornhill, City of London. In 1850 the bank acquired Drewett, Fowler & Fowler.

By 1891 the bank was known as Dimsdale, Fowler, Barnard & Dimsdales. In that year it merged with Prescott, Cave, Buxton, Loder & Co of London; Miles Cave Baillie & Co of Bristol; and Tugwell, Brymer, Clutterbuck & Co of Bath. The merged bank took the name Prescott, Dimsdale, Cave, Tugwell & Co.

Detailed list of name changes

Amyand, Staples & Mercer 1759-70
Amyand, Staples & Watts 1770 -1
Cornewall, Staples & Watts 1771-4
Staples, Baron Dimsdale, Son & Co 1774-8
Staples, Dimsdale, Son & Barnard 1778-9
Staples, Baron Thomas Dimsdale, Sons & Barnard 1779-84
Baron Dimsdale, Sons, Barnard & Staples 1784-90
Baron Dimsdale, Sons & Barnard 1790-3
Baron Dimsdale, Sons, Barnard & Son 1793-1804
Baron Dimsdale, Barnard, Son & Dimsdale 1800-12
Barnard, Dimsdale & Dimsdale 1812-24
Barnard, Dimsdales & Barnard 1824-38
Barnard, Dimsdale, Barnard & Dimsdale 1838-45
Barnard, Barnard & Dimsdale or Barnards, Dimsdale & Co 1845-9
Barnard, Barnard & Dimsdale 1849-50
Dimsdale, Drewett, Fowler & Barnard 1850-65
Dimsdale, Fowler & Barnard 1865-70
Dimsdale, Fowler & Barnard 1870-2
Dimsdale, Fowler, Barnard & Dimsdales 1872-1888
Dimsdale, Fowler, Barnard & Dimsdales 1888-90
Dimsdale, Fowler, Barnard & Dimsdales from 1890

Published histories

FG Hilton Price, A handbook of London Bankers (London: Chatto & Windus, 1890)

Summary of our archive holdings

Our archival records of Dimsdale, Fowler, Barnard & Dimsdales have the reference code DIM.

For help understanding words used here, check our glossary of banking record types (PDF 68 KB).

Partnership records

partners' correspondence 1762-1890
partnership agreements 1774, 1888
partners' personal and family papers 1775-1889
profit and loss partnership ledger 1872-90
amalgamation papers 1890

Financial records

receipts 1773, 1803, 1805
profit and loss accounts 1777-1804, 1872-90
bills of exchange and promissory notes 1777-1893
general ledger 1784-90

Legal records

papers re bad debt, bankruptcy and forgery cases 1797-1863
security registers 1860-1906

Customer records

deeds and legal papers concerning property 1657-1835
surety and indemnity bonds 1763-1807
customer account ledger 1774-5
signature books 1774-1891
customer papers 1775-1837
cheque books and forms 1775-1890
marine insurance policies 1777-1802
powers of attorney 1790-1805
customer account passbooks 1792-1834
notarial certificates, money lent to United States Treasury 1794-5
customer account balances 1795-1846
share certificates of Thames Steam Yacht Club 1818
customer correspondence 1819-1880
papers of Rock Reversionary & Loan Society 1824-45
papers re railway company customers 1829-96
share certificates of Bank of the United States of America 1836-40
security registers 1860-1906

Staff records

staff fidelity bonds 1766-1812
correspondence re recruitment and employment of clerks 1778-1852
salary receipt books 1791-1849
staff photographs c.1850-1900

Property records

title deeds: 3 St Peters Alley 1677-1815, 49-50 Cornhill, 1550-1801
papers re rebuilding 3 St Peters Alley and 49-50 Cornhill post Great Fire c.1670
papers re premises rates and taxes 1784-1850
papers re repairs and reconstruction of bank premises 1789-1860
premises ledger 1792-1811
lease of property in Victoria Place, 1815
agreement re gas supply, 50 Cornhill, 1891
inventory of fixtures and fittings, 3 St Peters Alley 1826
papers re fire insurance, 49-50 Cornhill 1828-30