Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1679-1984 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
118 production units.
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The origins of the company are obscure, but there is evidence to suggest that the Barber family was in business as wharfingers early in the 18th century (see Aytoun-Ellis, 300 Years on London River, London, 1952). Joseph Barber was born in 1778 and first appears in London Directories in business alone, as a wharfinger at Chamberlain's Wharf, Tooley Street, Southwark, in 1815. Evidence from London Directories and miscellaneous deeds (Ms 10944A) suggests that Joseph Barber was also in business in partnership with Robert Smith prior to 1815. The freehold of Brewer's and Chester quays was purchased in 1832, although the company had acquired a leasehold interest in these and also Galley quay some years earlier.
In 1859 the style of the firm was changed to Joseph Barber & Company and in 1861 Chamberlain's quay was sold. The company also acquired warehouses and vaults on the north side of Lower Thames Street; bonded vaults in Beer Lane, George street and Tower Hill; bonded warehouses and vaults in Coopers' Row, and drug and other warehouses in Beer Lane, Savage Gardens and Cooper's Row. In 1901 the company was incorporated as a limited liability company. In 1908 Brewer's, Chester and Galley quays were sold; other warehouses and vaults were also sold and by 1920 only those at 10 Cooper's Row remained. From 1911 the registered offices of the company were: 1911-36, 40 Trinity Square; 1937-46, 41 Trinity Square; 1947-71, 61 Crutched Friars (61-2 Crutched Friars 1957-61); 1972-83, 12 America Square. The company went into liquidation in 1983.
Repository
Archival history
GB 0074 CLC/B/137 1679-1984 Collection 118 production units. Joseph Barber and Co Ltd , wharfingers and warehouse keepers
The origins of the company are obscure, but there is evidence to suggest that the Barber family was in business as wharfingers early in the 18th century (see Aytoun-Ellis, 300 Years on London River, London, 1952). Joseph Barber was born in 1778 and first appears in London Directories in business alone, as a wharfinger at Chamberlain's Wharf, Tooley Street, Southwark, in 1815. Evidence from London Directories and miscellaneous deeds (Ms 10944A) suggests that Joseph Barber was also in business in partnership with Robert Smith prior to 1815. The freehold of Brewer's and Chester quays was purchased in 1832, although the company had acquired a leasehold interest in these and also Galley quay some years earlier.
In 1859 the style of the firm was changed to Joseph Barber & Company and in 1861 Chamberlain's quay was sold. The company also acquired warehouses and vaults on the north side of Lower Thames Street; bonded vaults in Beer Lane, George street and Tower Hill; bonded warehouses and vaults in Coopers' Row, and drug and other warehouses in Beer Lane, Savage Gardens and Cooper's Row. In 1901 the company was incorporated as a limited liability company. In 1908 Brewer's, Chester and Galley quays were sold; other warehouses and vaults were also sold and by 1920 only those at 10 Cooper's Row remained. From 1911 the registered offices of the company were: 1911-36, 40 Trinity Square; 1937-46, 41 Trinity Square; 1947-71, 61 Crutched Friars (61-2 Crutched Friars 1957-61); 1972-83, 12 America Square. The company went into liquidation in 1983.
The records were given to Guildhall Library in 1962, 1983 and 2005. They were catalogued by members of Guildhall Library staff. The Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section merged with the London Metropolitan Archives in 2009.
Records of Joseph Barber and Company Limited, wharfingers and warehouse keepers, comprising constitutional documents, financial material, a list of rates and title deeds. This material requires 24 hours notice for access.
Records arranged by MS number, assigned during cataloguing at the Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section.
Access by appointment only. Please contact staff.
Copyright to this collection rests with the City of London.
English
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
January to May 2011. Joseph Barber and Co Ltd , wharfingers and warehouse keepers Architecture Buildings Commercial buildings Building components Warehouses Structural components Wharves People People by occupation Personnel Workers Manual workers Dock workers Built works Wharfingers Quays Information sources Documents Business records City of London London England UK Western Europe Europe Southwark (district) Southwark
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The records were given to Guildhall Library in 1962, 1983 and 2005. They were catalogued by members of Guildhall Library staff. The Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section merged with the London Metropolitan Archives in 2009.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Records of Joseph Barber and Company Limited, wharfingers and warehouse keepers, comprising constitutional documents, financial material, a list of rates and title deeds. This material requires 24 hours notice for access.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Records arranged by MS number, assigned during cataloguing at the Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Access by appointment only. Please contact staff.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright to this collection rests with the City of London.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English