Bonshaw House photo courtesy of Elsie McLeod

However, before any buyer came forward, four individuals to whom WW owed money took him to court for payment and, since he could not pay, the sheriff arrested him and seized his property (21). His debts totalled about 2000 pounds, a very considerable sum in comparison to average salaries at the time which were about 50-100 pounds.

Bonshaw farm was valued on the order of the Sheriff by David Stewart and Ewen Crosby, who placed a figure of 350 pounds on the 200 acre parcel and 100 pounds on the other 100 acre parcel. The property was held by the sheriff, who noted that it would be sold on October 29, 1850, two years hence (22).

In January 1849 WW, who was listed as residing at 3 Gloucester Street, Queens Square, Bloomsbury, Middlesex, England near London, appeared in the Bankruptcy Court and was declared bankrupt. Edward Irving, his father, assumed WW's debts and returned his personal property (23).

On the prescribed day in 1850 the sale was held and Stephen Rice's bid of 211 pounds was the highest offer. Title of the properties was transferred to Mr. Rice who in 1851 sold the 100 acre parcel on the Green Road to William Crosby (22,24). The explanation as to what happened to the 200 acre parcel containing the house and farm buildings is confused as both Mr. Rice, and WW sold the property to Alexander Robertson on May 5th 1856. Somehow WW must have retained some legal hold on the land. The explanation may have something to do with his wife's signature and name appearing on the transfer documents to Mr. Robertson (25,26).

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