15541. Bull's Head Bank (New York, NY)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Unsure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
October 13, 1857
Location
New York, New York (40.714, -74.006)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
5a4df71f

Response Measures

Full suspension

Other: Police were stationed to preserve order; injunctions reportedly used to stop some banks (Marine) mentioned in articles.

Description

Multiple contemporary dispatches (Oct 13, 1857) report a run on Wall Street banks and list Bull's Head Bank among those that suspended specie payments. Articles mention large crowds and runs; they also suggest suspensions may be temporary but provide no concrete reopening information for Bull's Head. Cause attributed to the broader 1857 financial panic (macro/systemic shock).

Events (2)
1. October 13, 1857 Run
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
General financial panic of October 1857 produced runs on multiple New York city banks; crowds besieged bank steps and policemen were stationed to preserve order.
Newspaper Excerpt
There is a general run on the Wall Street banks, and intense excitement in the street.
Source
newspapers
2. October 13, 1857 Suspension
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
Part of a broad suspension of specie payments by many New York banks amid the 1857 financial crisis; listed among 15+ banks that closed on Oct. 13.
Newspaper Excerpt
the Chatham and Bull's Head banks have suspended
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (11)
1. October 13, 1857 Evening Star Washington, DC
Article from Evening Star, October 13, 1857

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS From the Associated Press Agent. The Financial Crisis, &c. NEW YORK, Oct. 12-The stock market in 10. day In a state of extreme depression. The feeling among merchants is one of great discouragement, but decideely in favor of the banks maintaining specie payments. The bank officers at a meeting held to-day declared unanimously that they would maintain specie payments all hazards. It is rumored that strong efforts are making by Albany banks to compel the New York city banks to suspend, and that the Governor expressed his willingness to call an extra session of the Legislature immediately, if necessary, to meet such an emergency. Among the resolutions passed bythe bank officers to-day the following: "Resolved, That in the judgment of this meeting no further contraction of loans is necessary, nor will there exist any.onstacleto such expansion of them as will afford necessary aid to bring forward the crops and alleviate the present commercial distress, unless it sball be created by the demands of causeless alarm." Two small city banks recently established are reported to have failed this afternoon. The report needs confirmation. There is a general drain upon all the banks In various ways, but the only serious features is the Inclination shown by depositors in some of the old banks to punish them for refusing facilities in the way of discounts. by drawing their deposits. The street is unusually excited. The Grocers' Bank of this city has suspended. It is understood that the bank contractions for the week will exceed $5,000,000. BUFFALO, Oct. 12.-The Pratt Bank has closed its doors. BOSTON, Oct. 10 -The Transcript learns from official sources, that in consequence of a delay in remittances from the East, and almost a total suspension of paper negotiations here, the Michigan Central Railroad has found it necessary to postpone the payment of its bills payable, until it can realize funds from the proposed subscription to its bonds on the 10th of November next. The payment of the coupons will be continued as usual. Sr. LOUIS, Oct. 12.-A. J. McCreary & Co., dry goods dealers, have suspended Also, Doane, King & Co., and Collins, Kirby & Co. The liabilities of the latter are about $1,000,000 each. AUGUSTA, Oct 12-The Southwestern Railroad Bank and the Bank of South Carolina, located at Charleston, have failed. There was quite a run on all the banks of Charleston to-day. NEW ORLEANS. Oct. -The failure of Messrs. Coming & Co., of New York, will not affect the Southern Bank. There are rumors this evening of some failures, but they are not authenticated Business is unsettled. [SECOND DISPATCH.] NEW YORK, Oct. 13-The Marine, Pacific, Irving, Merchants' Exchange, North River, New York Exchange, Citizens, and Ocean banks have suspended-eight in all. E. Fish & Co., and Brown & Cary, merchants, have suspended. Also, the Chatham and Bull's Head banks have suspended

2. October 14, 1857 The New York Herald New York, NY
Article from The New York Herald, October 14, 1857

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

WATERMAN'S MACHINE SHOP, In Cherry street; fall complement of men from thirty to forty, which has been reduced to four men and two boys, the complement as present. FARBON IRON WORKS, Situated in Front street, usually empicy from two bundrea and any to three hundred. Present complement, thirty men, all told; have not been doir s as much this year as formerly, and have but very Hitle work at present on band Should the present panic continue will probably close up shop for a short time before many weeks. JAMES BOGARDUS' IRON WORKS, Corner of Centre and Duane streets, manufacturer of arcbitectural Iron work, have branches throughout several of the States, emploi irg some two hundred men, all told, none of whom have been discharged as yet. COLUMBIA IRON WORKS, In Duane street, corner of Eim, stile relain the complement of men (about 180), most of whom are for the present kept on half time, or, in other words, the little work in some portions of the establishment is so divided up as to give each man therein from two 10 three days work each. In other portions of the entablishment the men have thus far had constant work. There are from any to seventyfive men employed in the dredging shop, most If not all of whom will probably be discharged in the course of a week or so longer. WORRELL'S IRON WORKS, In Elm street, near Donne, on Saturday evening lest paid off 116 men-usual number from 140th 150. Discharged within the past 8⑉0 weeks about 25 OF 30 men. The men employed in the saw department have been placed ou balf me during the past week. All the others work full time for the present. J. B. & W. w. CORNELL'S IBON WORKS, In Centre street Total nun per of men usually em ployed about 226, which has been reduced within the past two or three weeks to about 148 men, all told, which, from presect appearances, will be further reduced before the clore of two weeks. This firm have under way tue Iron works for the Bull's Head Bank, New York Bank and Con tinental Bank, all of which suspended payment yesterday. G. R. JACKSON'S IRON WORKS, Corner of Howard and Centre streets, still relain the usual complement of men, (from 175 to 200,) which am ber there is as yet no talk of reducing.

3. October 14, 1857 Western Reserve Chronicle Warren, OH
Article from Western Reserve Chronicle, October 14, 1857

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Financial Matters. The money panic rather increases than diminishes, but we think it has about reached the worst. Most of the Pennsylvania banks have suspended specie payments. The Legislature of Pennsylvania is now holding an extra sossion to take into consideration measures for financial relief. The following is the latest money news from New York: New YORK, Oct. 13. The following banks have suspended to-day: Marine, Ocean, Merchant's Exchange, N. Y. Exchange, North River, Irving, Citizen's, Chatham, Bull's Head St. Nicholas and Market Banks. There is a general run on the Wall street banks and intense excitemeni in the street.Policemen are stationed at many banks to preserve order. NEW YORK, Oct. 13. To-day has been a very exciting one in financial affairs. Up to 2 o'clock 15 city banks had suspended, the following in addition to those given above: Bank of New York, Artizan's, Butcher's and Drovers and Tradesman. The Marine it is said was stopped by an injunction procured by one of its customers, and it is presumed other banks have been stop ped in the same way, as by this means the penalty of winding up which is at. tached to suspension, is evaded. It is believe that suspension in most cases is but temporary. This state of affairs when generally known will undoubtedly serve to allay the present undue excitement.. All the Ohio Banks are paying specie, and there has been little excitement in any part of the State. Ohio has the best currency in the Union.

4. October 14, 1857 Worcester Daily Spy Worcester, MA
Article from Worcester Daily Spy, October 14, 1857

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Monetary Matters in New York-Great Excitement. NEW YORK, Oct. 13.-Today has been a very exciting one in financial matters. Up to two o'clock, fifteen city banks had suspended, of which the following is a revised list, viz: Bank of New York, Artizans', St. Nicholas, Chatham, Ocean, Market, Butchers' and Drovers', Merchants' Exchange, Irving, Citizens', Tradesmen's, Bull's Head, New York Exchange, North River, and Marine. The latter, it is said, was stopped by injunction procured by one of its customers, and it is presumed other banks have been stopped in the same way. By this means the penalty of winding up, which is attached to suspension, is evaded. It is believed that suspension in most cases will be but temporary. This state of affairs, when generally known, will undoubtedly serve to allay the present undue excitement. Wall street, at two o'clock, was crowded with an anxious mass of people. The steps of all the banks were also blocked up by people forcing their way into the banks. At the American Exchange Bank, David Leavitt addressed the crowd, assuring them that that bank would pay all up to the last dollar. He also announced that an agreement had been made with several of the strongest banks, to go through without suspension. It is believed, however, in the streets, that the suspension will be general. It is understood that some of our heaviest Houses have withdrawn their gold from the banks and replaced it as a specie deposit. There were rumors during the morning, affecting nearly all the banks in the city, but the above list gives all that had certainly suspended up to 3 o'clock P. M. The others, it is believed, continued to meet their liabilities up to the clocs of businss hours. The sales of Railroad Stocks at the first board were small, at a general decline. In the State Stocks the business was large at a decline, ex cepting Virginia and Missouri. Bank Stocks all sold at a decline. The run on the Brooklyn Savings Bank was renewed today but with less vigor, the banks paying promptly. Several failures in the Dry Goods line are announced, but none of very prominent firms.

5. October 15, 1857 The Daily Gate City Keokuk, IA
Article from The Daily Gate City, October 15, 1857

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

News. The following banks are reported suspended on the 13th : Marine, Ocean, Merchants' Exchange, N. Y. Exchange, North River, Irving, Citizens', Chatham, Bulls Head, St. Nicholas, and Market. There is a general run on the Wall Street banks, and intense axcitement prevails in the street. Policemen are stationed at many of the banks to preserve order. Banks.-We add to our list of suspended Banks: Pratt Bank, Buffalo, Pine Plains. The Bank of Worthington, N. Y., and Marine, Chicago, are againreceived. Samuel Hueston, of New York, the publisher of the Knickerbocker Magazine, died Tuesday of last week.

6. October 15, 1857 The Weekly Portage Sentinel Ravenna, OH
Article from The Weekly Portage Sentinel, October 15, 1857

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Financial Matters in New York. NEW YORK, Oc. 13.-The following banks of this city, suspended this morning: The Marine, Pacific, Irving, Merchants' Exchange, North River, New York Exchange, Citizens' and Ccean banks, in all, numbering eight banks. The Chatham, Bull's Head, Market and St. Nicholas Banks have also suspended. (SECOND DISPATCH. NEW YORK, Oct. 13.-The bank suspensions have attracted a dense crowd into Wall street this afternoon, while other business streets were comparatively desert. ed. In addition to those announced up to two o'clock, the Tradesmen's Bank, Artisan's Bank, Butchers and Drover's Bank, and the Bank of New York have since sus. pended. It is feared that a general suspension is now inevitable, though several of the old banks announce their ability and determination to continue specie payments. It is reported that the Marine Bank is stopped by an injunction obtained by one of its cus. tomers, and it is presumed that the same course has been pursued with regard to oth. er banks. By this means the penalty of winding up which attaches to the act of suspension is evaded, and it is generally thought that the suspension will, in most ca. ses, be only temporary. This understanding tends to relieve some of the excitement. [SECOND DISPATCH.] To-dey has been the most exciting one in financial matters. Up to 2 o'clock filteen of the city banks suspended specie payments, of which the following is a revised list, viz: The Bank of New York, Arti. zan's, St. Nicholas, Chatham, Ocean, Market, Butchers & Drover's, Merchant's Ex. change, Irving, Citizen's, Tradesmen's, Bull's Head, New York Exchange, North River and Morine. Wall street at 2 o'clock was crowded with an anxious mass of people The steps of all the banks were blocked up by people forcing their way into the banks. At the American Exchange Bank David Leavitt addressed the crowd, assuring them that the banks would pay all to the last dollar. He also announced ithat an arrangement had been made with several of the $ strongest banks to go through without suspension. It is believed, however, that the suspension will be general. It is understood that some of our heaviest f e houses have withdrawn their gold from the banks and replaced it as a special deposit. There were rumors during the day effecting d nearly all the banks in the city. The above list gives all that certainly suspended up to three o clock. S The run on the Brooklin Savings Bank h was renewed to-day, but with less vigor, the bank paying promptly. Several raifures among the dry goods firms are announced, but none of them are very prominent. d [THE LATEST ] The run upon the Mechanic's, Merchant's Bank of America, Manhatter, and Ame ica

7. October 15, 1857 Quasqueton Guardian Quasqueton, IA
Article from Quasqueton Guardian, October 15, 1857

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Bank Failures NEW YORK, Oct. 13. To day has been a very exciting one on financial' matters. Up to 2 o'clock, 15 City Banks had suspended. The following is a revised list: Bank of New York, St. Nicholas, Chatham, Ocean, Market, Butchers' and Drovers', Merchant's Exchange, Irving, Citizens, Tradesman, Bullshead, North River and Marine. The latter, it is said, was stopped by an injunction precured by one of its customers, and it is presumed other banks have been stopped in the same way, as by this means the penalty of winding up which is attached to suspension in most cases of affairs, when generally known, will undoubtedly serve to allay the present undue excitement. Wall street at two o'clock was crowded with an anxious crowd of people. The steps of all the Banks were also blocked up by people, forcing their way into the Banks, At the American Exchange, David Leavitt addressed the crowd, assuring them that all the banks would pay all to the last dollar. He also announced thrt an arrangement had been made with several of the strongest banks to go through without suspension. It is believed, however, in the street, that the suspension will be general. It is understood that some of our heaviest houses have withdrawn their gold from the banks and replaced it as specię deposts. There were rumors during the morning affecting nearly all the banks in the city, but the list gives all that had certainly suspended up to 3 P. M., The others, it is believed, continued to meet their liabilities tothe close of business hours. The sales of Railroad stocks at the first board were small at a general decline.— In State stocks business was large at a decline, excepting in Virginia's and Missouri's. Bank stock all sold at a decline. The run on the Brooklyn Savings Bank was renewed to-day with less vigor, the Bank paying promptly. Several failures in the dry goods line are announced, but none of very prominent firms. LATEST.-Tne run upon the Mechanics & Merchants Bank of America, Manhattan and American Exchange Banks was severe, and continued up to close of business.

8. October 15, 1857 Holmes County Republican Millersburg, OH
Article from Holmes County Republican, October 15, 1857

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Suspension of New York Banks. NEW YORK, Oct. 13. The following banks have suspended today: Marine, Ocean, Merchants Exchange, N. Y. Exchange, North River, Irving, Citizen's, Chatham, Bull's Head, St. Nicholas and Market Banks. There is a general run on all the Wall Street Banks, and intense excitement in the street. Policemen are stationed at many of the banks to preserve order.

9. October 17, 1857 Muscatine Weekly Journal Muscatine, IA
Article from Muscatine Weekly Journal, October 17, 1857

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

THE NEWS. -The telegraph gives notice of a general suspension of specie payments by the banks of New York and Boston. CALIFORNIA.-The steamer Granada arrived at New Orleans on the 13th, having connected at the Isthmus with the Northern Light from San Francisco, Sept. 20th. The news is not very important. Weller's majority over both his antagonists is 11,000. The Legislature is largely Democratic. Bates, Ex-Treasurer, and Rowe, his clerk, have both been committed to jail in default of payment. Chief Justice Murray is dend. Col. Casey, of Tenn., has been killed in a duel with Mr. Blair. The 'onstitutional Convention of Oregon is in session. The Slavery question was slightly agitated. California markets were du.l. Accounts from the mines were dull. Nothing of importance from Central America. -A riot took place in Baltimore on the 14th between the Americans of the Sixth and the Democrats of the Eighth Ward. Mu-kets and pistols were used. Police officer Jordan was killed and others wounded. -The financial crisis is the burden of the telegraphic dispatches from the eastern seaboard. The following are the New York City Banks reported failed on the 13th: Bank of New York, Artisans, St. Nicholas, Chatham, Ocean, Market, Butchers and Drovers, Merchants, Exchange, Irving, Citizens, Tradesmans, Bull's Head, North River, Marine, Broadway Bank, People's Bank, Bank of the State of New York and Bank of North America. Great excitement prevailed. Policemen were stationed at many of the banks to preserve order. At the meeting of New York Bank Presidents, on the 12th, it was resolved to suspend so far as paying over the counter is concerned; and a Committee was appointed to go to Albany to confer with the Governor, and if possible induce him to call an extra session of the Legislature with the view of obtaining a legalization of the suspension of specie payments. -The election in New Mexico has resulted in the triumph of the Democrats. Otero is elected to Congress by at least 3,000 majority.

10. October 21, 1857 The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye Burlington, IA
Article from The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, October 21, 1857

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Suspension of Eighteen Banks--Resólusion of others to Suspend. [From the New York papers of Wednesday.| Since the financial crisis has been upon us the city has not passed through so severe an excitement as was witnessed yesterday. At an early hour in the day rumérs were rife that several of the city banks had Buspended, and immediately the vicinities of the different institutions mentioned, and in fact of all the banks in the city, were surrounded with anxious and alarmed crowds, whose excitement was not allayed by seeing the omisous ammouncement ou the doors of the closed banks, "This bank hassuspended." Wall street in particular exhibited a scene which it had not presented since the terrible times of 1837. The banks were literally besieged, not alone by those particularly interested but by multitudes of idlers and alarmists.To such an extent did this reach that the aid of the police had in some instances to be called in to enable the clerks to transact business. On the street the panic manifested steelf in thousands of alarmed faces either passing burriedly along from bank to bank, or gazing in silent stupor from the opposite side walks at the crowds accending and descending the steps of the banking houses upon which the excitement seemed to concentrate. It may be hardly necesmry to my that much of this alarm was needless; but when we look at the notual number of banks which suspended during the day-irrespective of the vague rumors with reference to others flying around through an already over excited community-it is no wonder that the equanimity of the city should have been 80riously disturbed. The banks which closed yesterday are as follows:-North River Bank, Ocean Bank, Irving Bank, Merchant's Exchange, New York Ex. change, Citizens Bank, Marine Bank, Market Bank, Chatham Bank, Tradesman's Bank, St. Nicholas Bank, Butchers' s Drovers Bank, People's Bank, Bull's Head Bank, New York Bank, Leather Manufacturers' Bank, Artisans' Bank, and Broadway Bank. The Banks is Greenwich street closed their like mildfit --

11. October 28, 1857 The Spirit of Democracy Woodsfield, OH
Article from The Spirit of Democracy, October 28, 1857

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

List of Suspended, Depreciated and Discredited Banks. Leather Manufacturers' Bank, New York City; Hudson County Bank, Jersey City; Broadway Bank New York City; People's Bank New York City; Bank of New York; Farmer's Bank, Petersburgh, Va; Union Bank, New Orleans; Marine Bank, N. Y. City; Tradesman's Bank, " " " " Artisan's Bank, Butcher's and Drover's Bank, New York city; Market Bank, New York City; " " St. Nicholas Bank, " " Pacific Bank, " " " " Irving Bank, " Merchants Exchange," " " North River Bank, " New York Exchange," " " Citizens' Bank, " " Ocean Bank, " " Chatham Bank, " " Bull's Head Bank, " " East River Bank, Pratt Bank, Buffalo, New York, Belleville Bank, Illinois; " Bank of Chester, Stock Security Bank, Illinois; " Corn Exchange Bank, Bank of Pike County, " State Bank of South Caaolina, Charleston;