The 1841 bankruptcy act let anyone self-file yet restricted forced filings to merchants.

Evidence

In the second bankruptcy act, too, a creditor could force into bankruptcy only members of the commercial class: “all persons, being merchants, or using the trade of merchandise, all retailers of merchandise, and all bankers, factors, brokers, underwriters, or marine insurers, owing debts to the amount of not less than two thousand dollars.” But the act, significantly, opened another door: “All persons whatsoever” might file a petition for voluntary bankruptcy. — Lawrence M. Friedman, A History of American Law, 1596