Attorneys Solicitors in London 1780 - 1850

[aussie researcher]

Hi,

My request is where might I find information or a list of Attorneys, Solicitors, Barristors working in London from about 1780 - 1850's.
We have several names - Harnett, Wragg, Birch, Paddon, Ashton, Udall all we believe to have worked in this field.

All help or suggestions would be wonderful


Cheers
Aussie Researcher

[Dave Francis]

Hi there

Trade directories are a useful source for this kind of information.

For example, Pigot’s Directory of London (1825) included a section devoted to Attorney's and one of those listed was a James Harnett at 29 Northumberland Street, Strand. Another was a Thomas Wragg at New Inn.

I have several directories covering the time period you are interested in.

Let me know exactly you are researching and I will see what I can dig up.

Dave

[avm228]

I have access to Lincoln's Inn's collection of Law Lists (dedicated legal directories) dating from the late 18th century. Let me know if I can help.

Anna

[aussie researcher]

Hi,

Thank you Dave & Anna for you suggestions and offer to look up.

The full names of those I'm looking for are:

James Harnett - father (died 1838) and son. son also James, the James you mentioned Dave is our James as we have that address listed when children were born.
Thomas Wragg - possibly father and sons, son we believe was Thomas Dodd Wragg and possible George Goodwin Wragg
John Paddon - possibly father and sons, son John Stacie/y Paddon, Theodore James Paddon
John Stacie/y
Robert Ashton
Charles Birch
Charles Udall

Any info on these would be fantastic, they are all connected to the one family.

Thanks
Anita
Aussie Researcher.

[avm228]

Hello again Anita

Please could you give some dates for these names?  The period you cite in your heading (1780-1850) is rather long when looking at annual directories! Also it would be helpful if you could identify whether you think individuals were attorneys or barristers, as they appear separately in the Law Lists.

Is there any particular information you're seeking about them?

Anna

[aussie researcher]

Hi Anna,

Thanks for your quick reply, I'm looking for any information I can find broard I know, sorry.
We believe them to all be Solicitors but are really not 100% sure.

I'll give you birth / death dates that I know of, guessing they would have started training early 20's.

James Harnett b 1789 - d 1828
James Harnett son b 1825 - 1861 was living in Australia.
John Paddon senior b abt 1780
John Stacie Paddon son b abt 1809
Charles Birch died 1831 only having been married since 1828.
Robert Ashton died abt 1838-42
Charles Udall unknown b/d
Thomas Wragg senior b abt 1800
Thomas Wragg son b 1822 moved to Australia by 1861

So I'm guessing the period to look would be early 1800's until 1830-40, still over a long time.
Just pick a shorter period of time.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Anita

[ShaunJ]

John Stacie Paddon (born around 1799) and Theodore James Paddon (born around 1802) arrived in the United States in November 1823 according to their Baltimore naturalisation records. (EDIT - they arrived New York on the Montano on 4 November 1823 together with John Paddon senior)

They also show up arriving together in Philadelphia on 3 March 1832 on the Elizabeth Frith from London, both listed as attorneys.

JSP is back in London by 1837 ( Royal Street, Lambeth) where daughter Emma is born to his wife Mary Froud Paddon. He marries Elizabeth Hume in Clifton,  Glos. on 27 August 1838, and his death is registered in Fareham Hants in 1840. 

[Dave Francis]

Just a few tidbits. Hope they help.

Pigot’s Directory of London, 1825

"Attorneys"
Ashton Thos. Saml. 45, Primrose-hill, Salisbury-square
Harnett James, (commissioner for taking affidavits in KB, Ireland, & for Middsx. Essex, Surry, Bucks and Herts), 29 Northumberland-st, Strand.
Paddon Jno, Stacie, 12 New Inn
Wragg Thos. 8 New Inn

Post Office Directory of London, 1843

Ashton Robt. John, attorney, 2 Pelham crescent, Brompton
Udall Henry, barrister, 4 Essex court, Temple

Post Office Directory of London, 1846

Ashton Robt. John, attorney, 2 Pelham crescent, Brompton
Udall Henry, barrister, 3 Fig tree court, Temple


The Times, Tuesday, Apr 19, 1842; pg. 7; Issue 17961; col D
Item reports a suit filed by Robert Ashton (husband of Mrs Ashton, formerly Miss Susannah Eliza Paddon) regarding the settlement made on her first marriage, in June 1819, to James Harnett. Item mentions that Harnett died leaving children, that she then married Edward Birch (who also died) before marrying Ashton. Full transcript of this article is available.

The Times, Saturday, May 05, 1849; pg. 9; Issue 20168; col A
Item reporting the marriage of Robert John Ashton to Marianne Elizabeth Clare.

The Times, Thursday, Aug 30, 1860; pg. 1; Issue 23712; col A
Item reporting the death on 28 Aug 1860 of Robert John Ashton, eldest son of the late Robert Ashton.

[aussie researcher]

Thank you all so much this is just fantastic information.
I appreciate your time in looking up and finding the information for me.
The story behind Susannah Eliza Paddon is just amazing, we thought we had most of it, until a week or so ago I found her marriage to Charles Udall in 1843 (husband No4)

Looking at the info I'm wondering if  Robert Ashton's son Robert John Ashton is connected to our family.
We know that Robert Ashton and Susanna had a daughter Georgina in 1834, but Robert Ashton may have been married before Susannah, more mystery.

Thanks heaps,

Cheers
Anita