The Quaker Gurneys were renowned for their honesty, reliability, and fair dealings — so people entrusted them their money for safe keeping.
A bull mastiff (complete with brass collar) stood on guard inside the doors at the Bank Plain premises, and there was always a blunderbuss at the ready.
[citation needed] Bartlett Gurney died in 1802, without a male heir, in Norwich.
About the same time, he also took over the control of the London billbroking business of Richardson, Overend & Company, in which he was already a partner.
The title of the firm was subsequently changed to Overend, Gurney and Company, and for forty years it was the greatest discounting house in the world.