Walter Goalen, John Philp and other Leith folk

[jennyblain]

On going through my scribbles from the Leith tailors' records in the Edinburgh City Archives I found an interesting point which I'd noted. It makes a small connection between a shipbuilding concern and the family of John Philp, tailor in Leith. Here's the story:

In 1773 and 1774 John Philp was Boxmaster of the Incorporation of Tailors in Leith. His brother, Thomas Philp, a shipmaster, requested a loan of twelve pounds sterling - a not inconsiderable sum - 'upon his bill for a twelvemonth'. The tailors' meeting of 18th April agreed this. The year being up in April 1775, he was asked (in July) to supply a cautioner and in August named joint cautioners - 'Walter Goolen shipbuilder and Thomas Philp' (i.e. himself).

However it still wasn't paid and in October John Philp undertook a personal obligation to repay it if the money wasn't forthcoming by January 12th - and indeed did so on 15th January 1776, paying ‘twelve pounds nine shillings being the amount principal and interest’.

So - I have some questions from this. How did Walter Goalen enter the picture? Apparently he didn't pay it - where did John Philp get the money? What behind-the-scenes negotiations may have been going on? Not to mention what Thomas needed the money for and what his brother John may have had to say to him about it..!

What I would like to find are any lists of apprentices etc. of Walter Goalen or his sons. Or indeed anything else that may hold some hint of future interactions between Walter Goalen and John Philp. (James Philp, son of John, might just be my ancestor the ship carpenter James Philp.)

Any sources? Any suggestions...?
(Just for the record, Thomas Philp died in 1777, on a voyage.)

Jenny

[LesleyB]

How did Walter Goalen enter the picture? Apparently he didn't pay it

Erm, that is my 4th gr grandfather....
Can certainly fill you in off forum with what I have on ol' Walter. Not sure any of it will help with this particular situation.

What I do know is that much money was borrowed and paid back (usually!) for business purposes which I think was standard practice, due to there being no banks at the time. Walter was quite well off - however, as with anyone building ships in those days there would have been periods when he was actually raising the funds to build a ship when he would have been in debt to some people (as was the case when in died in 1792), but his standard of living indicated by the contents of his house leave me in no doubt that he lived a comfortable lifestyle equivalent to "merchant" standards of the times.

Best wishes
Lesley

[jennyblain]

Would certainly love to know more, even if only to get more 'feel' for the times... Yes, that was my impression, he being one of the five shipbuilders of the early 1790s. These money transactions may hold some kind of clue.

I saw that he has a TD and was thinking of downloading that from SP - doubt if there is anything directly relevant in it but the inventories can give so much context and, again, that 'feel' for the times. Thomas Philp the shipmaster who died overseas in 1777 left, among other things, six volumes of history books...

Thought I remembered you mentioning Walter Goalen!
Jenny