Records, 1869-1967, of John Swire & Sons Ltd, comprising the bulk of known surviving material stored in the London Office, covering the development of the firm from about 1870 to 1947, and including series of correspondence coming in and out of the London Office; legal material including original deeds and leases; accounts; organisation papers; and photographs. The importance of the collection lies in the comprehensiveness of the nineteenth and twentieth century correspondence in illustrating the development of the firm and its subsidiaries from the London side where policies were decided, and from the Eastern side where they were implemented. It also gives a good picture of leading figures and firms involved in the Far Eastern trade at that time such as Jardine, Matheson & Company, the China Merchants Company and Holt's, and reveals aspects of Chinese trade and British business philosophy at the end of the Victorian era.

Papers, 1925-[1960s], of Sir Richard Winstedt relating to his publications, comprising annotated proofs of Malay dictionary, 1960; manuscripts of Malay Dictionary, undated; copy of his An English-Malay Dictionary (1952), with extensive manuscript annotations and alterations [after 1952]; manuscripts and typescripts for his memoirs Start from Alif: Count from One (published in 1969), largely relating to his time in south-east Asia [1960s]; manuscript on philosophy, undated; letter on Malay law to [S G?] Vesey-Fitzgerald, 1945; letter on a Malay manuscript from P Voorholne[?] of the Bibliotheek der Rijks-Universiteit te Leiden, 1951; part of a letter on Raffles College and educational needs in Malaya from an unknown correspondent, 1965; miscellaneous offprints by Winstedt on Malay literature, law, customs and culture, 1925, 1929, 1945, and undated.

Records of the Courts of Conservancy, 1646-1857, including sessions held in London, Essex, Middlesex, Kent and Surrey for breaches of regulations covering encroachments, wharves, fishing, obstructing or fouling the river and similar offences. The papers include grand jury presentments, writs, court minutes, court notes, court orders, committee minutes and administrative papers.

Records of the Southwark Quarter Sessions of the Peace, 1666-1939, including sessions books; sessions files containing indictments, recognizances, jury precepts and panels, writs, lists of constables and so on; sessions papers including depositions, informations, calendars of indictments, gaol calendars and so on; declarations of allegiance made by constables; rolls of victuallers' recognizances and orders from Insolvent Court.

Various papers relating to education and educational establishments, 1759-1995, including papers regarding educational committees; reports, bills and acts of parliament regarding education; papers relating to charitable schemes to provide education to the poor; financial papers and deeds from the City of London Corporation School, 1759-1850; publications regarding the history of Morden College; papers relating to Reformatory Schools, 1867-1896; brochures and leaflets and general administrative papers relating to various schools and colleges.

Records of the Magistracy Committee, Court of Aldermen, comprising minutes, 1952-1969; committee papers, 1952-1962; relevant printed Acts of Parliament and Orders of Council and a plan of the Mayor's Court showing the proposed site of the Guildhall Justice Room, 1956. Please note that some of these records are closed.

Minute book of the Parliamentary Committtee, Court of Aldermen, 1856.

Records of the Affairs of the Corporation Committee, Common Council, 1784-1785, comprising minutes, rough minutes and documents presented to the committee, the second report of the 'Committee to enquire about the assertions of Fidelio [Mr Josiah Dornford] regarding the affairs of the corporation', and correspondence published by Dornford.

Records of the City Lands and Bridge House Estates Committee, comprising minutes, 1969-2008 and minutes of the hospitality working party, 1990-1997. Please note some of these records are closed.

Minute books containing the minutes of various ad hoc Joint Committees:

Joint Committee of the Officers and Clerks and the Law, (Parliamentary) and City Courts Committees regarding Admiralty jurisdiction in the City of London Court, 1875; the impact of the Supreme Court of Judicature Acts of 1870 and 1875 and reforms to the practice and pleading of the Mayor's Court, 1875; reform of the Mayor's Court and City of London Court, 1880; the duties of and the pension to be awarded to City of London Court judges, 1894-1895; the nature, duties and emoluments of the Secondary and elections in Common Hall, 1897-1898.

Joint Committee of the Officers and Clerks and the Port of London Sanitary Committees regarding the salary of Harry Leach, Medical Officer of Health for the Port of London, 1875.

Joint Committee of the General Purposes and the Special Tithes Committees regarding matters relating to livings and benefices, 1875.

Joint Committee of the Coal, Corn and Finance and the Officers and Clerks Committees regarding the salary of William Payne, Chamber Principal Clerk, 1878; the nature, duties and emoluments of the Office of Chamberlain and his staff, 1892-1898; the nature, duties and emoluments of the City Solicitor and City Surveyor, 1895.

Joint Committee of the Law and City Courts and the Local Government and Taxation Committees regarding taking action against the Toll Bridges/River Thames Bill which aimed to free the toll bridges, 1876-1877; and the Supreme Court of Judicature, 1883.

Joint Committee of the Gas and Water and the Local Government and Taxation Committees regarding the progress of the Metropolis Waterworks Purchase Bill, 1880.

Joint Committee of the City Lands and the Law and City Courts Committees regarding finding accommodation for the hearing of special jury cases, 1891

Joint Committee of the City Lands and the Coal, Corn and Finance Committees regarding finding a site for the construction of a new British School of Art (Tate Gallery), 1891.

Joint Committee of the Coal, Corn and Finance and the Billingsgate and Leadenhall Markets Committees regarding reduction of tolls on fish brought to Billingsgate market, 1894.

Joint Committee of the Officers and Clerks and the and the Improvements and Finance Committees regarding the retirement of Principal Clerk of the Public Health Department, 1899.

Joint Committee of the City Lands and the Improvements and Finance Committees regarding cooperation with the London County Council to preserve the historic building at 17 Fleet Street (Prince Henry's Room, part of an inn that was one of the few buildings to survive the Great Fire of London), 1899-1900.

Joint Committee of Coal and Corn and Finance and Officers and Clerks Committees, ordered to enquire into the nature, duties and emoluments of the office of Chamberlain, to reconsider the terms and conditions of the appointment and to recommend any necessary reform, Sept 1943-Feb 1945.

Records relating to the London Militia, including papers of Committee to consider the Militia Acts, 1795-1796; papers of Committee for considering certain matters relative to the City Militia and the Artillery Ground, 1798; papers regarding use of the Artillery Ground, 1799-1800; account of money claimed on each parish for maintenance of wives and families, March 1799; lists of men who never joined or deserted from the East and West Regiments, May 1799; papers regarding raising of men for the Militia and Army of Reserve and offering of bounties, 1800-1804; lists of men enlisted for the East and West Regiments of the London Militia, 1799-1800; papers of Committee for considering certain matters relative to the City Militia, including papers regarding the presentation of Colours to the Loyal London Volunteers and London Militia, 1803-1805 and 1807-1808; Special Militia Committee, including questions proposed to the Commanding Officers of the London Militia with their replies, accounts of Trophy Tax, accounts of the number of men discharged from the two Regiments and of promotions and desertions and returns from the parishes of monies paid to militia men's wives and families, 1810-1814; papers of the Militia Committee, including copy of the Militia Bill (1820), 1817-1828; papers of Special Committee regarding the Trophy Tax and the London Militia, 1831 and 1834; minute books of Special Militia Committee, 1810-1817 and 1820-1821.

The papers include some signed reports of the Committee to the Court of Common Council and also correspondence from the Court of Lieutenancy and up to 1799 from the Honourable Artillery Company enclosing copies of resolutions, reports, proceedings etc. of those bodies.

Records of the Special Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes, 1882-1966, and committee papers, 1882-1957; reports to Common Council, 1947-1964; files relating to various subjects including town planning, Parliamentary and City elections, the Local Government Act 1948, tithes, ward boundaries, public relations, Corporation of London reform and organisation.

London County Council register of tramway track lengths, recording description and lengths of route, street length, track length and remarks, such as "conversion to trolleybus", "abandoned" and so on, [1912-1952], with enclosures: photocopy of map of tramways in the London County Council area, revised to 1931; and diagrams of track lengths in Leyton and Hammersmith.

Adult Education VHS videos: "Teaching English as a second language in the Post School Sector", 1985 and "Teaching adult literacy Unit A: A mixed ability class", 1980s.

Records of the Wegg family of Acton and the Round family of Essex and Acton, relating to estates in Acton. The documents are arranged in 14 bundles with the following contents:

1. Marriage Settlement: Samuel Wegg and Elizabeth Lehook. 1745-1767.
   2. Descent of land in Acton, by exchange with the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's to Samuel Wegg. 1719-1759.
   3. Descent of land in manor of Acton, via Somerset, Lethieullier and Fetherstonhaugh to Samuel Wegg. 1712-1802.
   4. Descent of Fordhook Estate, Ealing via Crowcher, etc., to George Samuel Wegg. 1718-1813.
   5. Descent of house and land in Acton via Sir Joseph Ayloffe Houlding, etc. to Samuel Wegg. 1661-1750. Partition of inheritance of Elizabeth Wegg and Sarah Prosser, sisters and coheirs of George Samuel Wegg. 1817.
   6. Descent of land in the manor of Acton via George Samuel Wegg to Elizabeth Wegg. 1759-1817.
   7. Descent of property in Acton via Lutyens, etc. to Elizabeth Wegg. 1661-1830.
   8. Descent of Bank House, Acton and Pew in Acton parish church (and Fordhook, Ealing) to Elizabeth Wegg. 1633-1837.
   9. Land in manor of Ealing: Elizabeth Wegg. 1830.
   10. Miscellaneous Documents: receipts, accounts, letters, etc., Elizabeth Wegg. 1604-1864.
   11. Descent of land to Charles G. Round from Elizabeth Wegg and further documents relating to Charles G. Round. 1842-1856.
   12. Plans.
   13. Documents re Land Tax on Acton and Ealing property. 1799 & 1840.
   14. Acton Charities. 1855.

Copy of the Act for inclosing lands in the parish of Finchley, in the county of Middlesex, 1811.

Papers, 1756-1850, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, including extracts from court rolls, copies of wills, mortgages, letters and extracts from the Stanwell Enclosure Award, relating to the Manor of Stanwell and to other properties in Stanwell and Knowle Green (near Staines).

Records of the Barton family relating to the manors of Ealing and Hampton Court, including property transactions, bankruptcy papers, family papers and court minute books (view of frankpledge and court baron).

Records of the Manor of Ickenham, including court baron rolls and documents relating to property transfer, including grants, agreements and memorials.

Papers, 1761-1858, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, including extracts from court rolls, copies of wills, receipts, leases, releases, mortgages, conveyances, fines and deeds relating to land and properties in Enfield.

Papers, 1759-1904, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, comprising legal documents relating to properties mainly in Ponders End, but also in Enfield and Tottenham. Also declaration relating to debentures, by Frederick William Frier of 16, Eldon Street, City of London, Secretary to the Paternoster Printing Company Limited; notices by Frederick William Frier and William Edwin Frier, that as debenture holders of Paternoster Printing Company Limited they intend to mortgage the works and property at Ponders End; and consent to mortgage the works and property.

Records of the Hamborough family relating to their estates in Stanwell, West Bedfont, East Bedfont and Staines, including orders and awards of the manor of Stanwell and Sheepcot alias Hammonds; title deeds; sales particulars; legal papers; wills, bequests and probates; tithes; tax certificates.

Records of the Manor of Stanwell, comprising extracts from the court rolls relating to the ownership of property in Stanwell.

Papers, 1899, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, comprising legal documents relating to the lease of a shop and basement at 4, Spring Bridge Road, Ealing.

Records of the Wright family comprising title deeds and related papers for premises in Crouch End, Muswell Hill, Hornsey, and Chiswick.

Papers, 1834-1887, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, comprising deeds and legal documents relating to messuage lands called Little Strawberry Hill, Twickenham.

Papers, 1799-1930, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, comprising deeds and legal documents relating to the Claysmore Estate, including two documents relating to New River, 1821 and 1864.

Records of the Mann family, comprising title deeds for premises in Isleworth.

Records of the de Burgh family relating to their estates in Hillingdon, Harmondsworth and West Drayton, including leases, releases, mortgages, letters, agreements and tax certificates. Also court rolls (courts baron) for the Manor of Colham and the Manor of West Drayton.

Practice papers of solicitor A Chamberlayne, relating to property in Chiswick, Hornsey, Highgate, East Finchley, Tottenham, Harlesden and Willesden, 1886-1896. The documents include agreements, settlements, probates, leases and mortgages.

Copy of Court Roll for the Manor of Enfield, 1768; and sessions paper from the Middlesex Sessions of Gaol Delivery, 1708.

Papers, 1638-1890, collected by Myers in the course of their work, comprising wills and a bond relating to Palgrave, Suffolk; Hampstead; Kensington (Old Brompton); West Twyford and Bloomsbury.

Papers, 1752-1877, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, comprising leases, releases and bargain and sale relating to properties in Willesden and St. George, Hanover Square.

Papers, 1890-1895, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, comprising leases for land on Henderson Row and Hertford Road, Edmonton.

Records of the Emanuel family relating to family property in Twickenham, Isleworth and Surrey. Documents are primarily leases and admissions.

Papers, 1707-1760, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, comprising copies of court rolls of the Manor of Colham.

Papers of the Garrow family including probate relating to property in Monken Hadley and Enfield; marriage settlement; papers relating to land in Hendon and lease for land in Finchley.

Title deeds for property in Edmonton owned by the Bowles family, 1786-1835; property in Highgate owned by the Gould family, 1724-1795; and properties in Ashford, Stanwell, Staines, Enfield, Hornsey and Pinner, 1684-1885.

Collection of legal documents relating to property ownership, including properties owned by the Uthwat family. Locations include Barking, Edgware, Kingston-upon-Thames, Tower Hamlets, and Highgate.

Papers, 1734-1906, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, comprising deeds and legal documents relating to properties in Ashford, Brentford, Harrow and Teddington.

Papers, 1769-1941, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, comprising deeds and legal documents relating to properties mainly in Edmonton, Enfield, Harrow and Tottenham.

Records of the Causton family relating to property in Highgate, Muswell Hill, Turnham Green, West Drayton and Suffolk.

Papers, 1661-1926, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, including deeds, copies of court rolls, wills, and legal papers relating to the Greenhill family of Northolt; deeds and other papers relating to property in Enfield; deeds and other papers relating to property in Queen's Walk, Kingsbury and various wills and legal papers.

Papers, 1806-1878, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, including probate of will of Robert Bellemey of Highgate, victualler; probate of will of Charles Lyne of Highgate, gentleman; release of estate of Charles Lyne from monies and trusts of will of Robert Bellamy [Bellemey]; letter and accounts relating to estate of Robert Bellamy [Bellemey]; probate of will of Rosetta Horrell, wife of William Horrell of Highgate, gentleman, and conveyance by bargain and sale and trust deed of a parcel of ground in Willesden with the chapel or meeting house erected thereon to be used for religious worship by Independents.

Papers, 1865-1887, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, comprising probate of will of Veere Woodman of Great Stanmore, farmer; probate of will of Elizabeth Woodman of Great Stanmore, widow and probate of will of Richard Pyatt of No. 4 Hill Martin Villas, Nightingale Road, Wood Green, gentleman.

Records of Pennington and Sons (solicitors), comprising title deeds and other papers, 1668-1935 (some undated), relating to premises in:

• Tottenham: West Green Lodge, 1842-1904, and Northumberland Park Road and Lansdowne Road, 1867-1905;
  • Harlington: Dawley, 1853-1879;
  • Hornsey: Harringay Terrace {later Turnpike Lane}, {18th century}, 1860-1919, and Hornsey Lane, 1668-1823;
  • Friern Barnet: Hungerdown {Hangerdown} Lane (later Station Road), Whetstone, 1827-1868;
  • Edmonton: Broome Field, 1853;
  • Willesden: Salisbury Terrace, Kilburn, 1864-1916, and Hanover Road, 1904-1914;
  • Hendon: papers of Catherine Houshold of St Mary's Abbey, Mill Hill, 1887-1890;
  • Acton: Goldsmith Road and Baldwin Gardens, 1891-1920;
  • property transactions of B W Parsons Ltd in Ealing, 1858-1931, Wimbledon, 1880-1935, Tunbridge Wells, 1900-1932, Surbiton, 1908, Ramsgate, Bournemouth, Charterhouse Street (London), Portsmouth and Monmouth, 1911-1935, and miscellaneous papers of B W Parsons Ltd, 1892-1932.

Deeds, 1580-1770, relating to property in Cowley, Edmonton, Enfield, Harefield, Harrow, Hayes, Hillingdon, Ickenham, Uxbridge, Shoreditch and Stepney; including deed of feoffment, bargain and sale, leases, mortgages and bonds.

Deeds of premises in Chiswick, Edmonton, Feltham, Finchley, Hampton, Hanwell, Harmondsworth, Heston, Hayes, Staines, Stanwell, Tottenham, and Uxbridge.

Papers, 1847-1927, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, comprising deeds and legal documents relating to Sunbury Court and Kempton Park Estates, and to premises in Harrow and Pinner.

Papers, 1873-1926, collected by the solicitors in the course of their work, comprising deeds and legal documents relating to properties in Hornsey and Kingsbury, including leases, agreements and a surrender.