GB 0505 PP8 - WELLS Family Papers

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0505 PP8

Title

WELLS Family Papers

Date(s)

  • 1807, [1867]-1931 (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

3 boxes or 0.03m3

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

The Wells were a prosperous farming family, who lived in Farnborough, Hampshire, in the late 19th century. Family members included Sarah E Wells, and her children, Edward, William, John Percy, Gretchen (Grace), Edith and Frank, the last named dying in southern Africa in 1896. Edward Wells was a chartered accountant in London, working in the Enemy Debts Department of the Treasury in the years following World War One.

Archival history

GB 0505 PP8 1807, [1867]-1931 Collection (fonds) 3 boxes or 0.03m3 Wells , family , of Hampshire

The Wells were a prosperous farming family, who lived in Farnborough, Hampshire, in the late 19th century. Family members included Sarah E Wells, and her children, Edward, William, John Percy, Gretchen (Grace), Edith and Frank, the last named dying in southern Africa in 1896. Edward Wells was a chartered accountant in London, working in the Enemy Debts Department of the Treasury in the years following World War One.

Possibly placed in Bedford College by Gretchen Wells following the death of Edward Wells in 1931.

Family correspondence, 1879-1931, notably letters, 1884-1893, from Sarah E Wells to her sons, Edward and John Percy, mainly concerning the running of the farm, family events, her religious beliefs, and news of other family members; correspondence, 1879-1896, between William, Edward, John Percy, Sarah E, and Frank, notably from Frank concerning his impressions of South Africa, 1895-1896; twentieth century family correspondence, 1924-1931, mainly relating to the arrangement of Edward Wells' personal effects in preparation for a serious operation, 1931. Papers, 1899-1904, relating to the will of John Percy Wells, who died in 1900, mainly comprising financial records such as Inland Revenue forms, and papers relating to estate duty. Papers, 1898-1907, relating to shares in the London and North Western Railway and the Vulcan Foundry held by Gretchen Wells, including correspondence from various stockbrokers. Financial papers of Edward Wells, 1913-1931, including insurance policies, receipts and invoices, banking correspondence, income tax assessments, receipts relating to his hospital and funeral expenses, and London County and Westminster Bank account books for Edward Wells and Mrs S E J Sortman. Various anonymous articles, 1904-1920, on subjects including free trade and protectionism, the 'fall of the franc', and relief work among prisoners of war and refugees in Poland. Other family papers, 1807-1928, notably the British passport of Edward Wells, 1928; an Almanack, printed by W Peacock and Sons, 1807; a National Rifle Association medal and case, 1860; and assorted photographs, [1920-1925], coins and notes on the family history, [1920-1929].

Arranged in sections as noted in the Scope and Content.

Open to all registered users of the Royal Holloway, University of London Archives.

Copies may be supplied, subject to the condition of the original. Requests to publish original material should be directed to the College Archivist.
English

Handlist available in the Royal Holloway, University of London Archives reading room.

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the AIM25 project. Compiled in accordance 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. Feb 2000 Accounting Agriculture Family Family environment Farmers Finance Financial administration Financial statements Households London and North Western Railway Parent child relationship Photographs Religious belief Rural areas Rural population South Africa Southern Africa Theology Visual materials Vulcan Foundry Wells , Edward , d 1931 , accountant Wells , family , of Hampshire Wells , Frank , d 1896 , son of Sarah E Wells Wells , Gretchen , fl 1898-1931 , daughter of Sarah E Wells Wells , John Percy , d 1900 , son of Sarah E Wells Wells , Sarah E , fl 1879-1896 , farmer Wells , William , fl 1879-1896 , son of Sarah E Wells

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Possibly placed in Bedford College by Gretchen Wells following the death of Edward Wells in 1931.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Family correspondence, 1879-1931, notably letters, 1884-1893, from Sarah E Wells to her sons, Edward and John Percy, mainly concerning the running of the farm, family events, her religious beliefs, and news of other family members; correspondence, 1879-1896, between William, Edward, John Percy, Sarah E, and Frank, notably from Frank concerning his impressions of South Africa, 1895-1896; twentieth century family correspondence, 1924-1931, mainly relating to the arrangement of Edward Wells' personal effects in preparation for a serious operation, 1931. Papers, 1899-1904, relating to the will of John Percy Wells, who died in 1900, mainly comprising financial records such as Inland Revenue forms, and papers relating to estate duty. Papers, 1898-1907, relating to shares in the London and North Western Railway and the Vulcan Foundry held by Gretchen Wells, including correspondence from various stockbrokers. Financial papers of Edward Wells, 1913-1931, including insurance policies, receipts and invoices, banking correspondence, income tax assessments, receipts relating to his hospital and funeral expenses, and London County and Westminster Bank account books for Edward Wells and Mrs S E J Sortman. Various anonymous articles, 1904-1920, on subjects including free trade and protectionism, the 'fall of the franc', and relief work among prisoners of war and refugees in Poland. Other family papers, 1807-1928, notably the British passport of Edward Wells, 1928; an Almanack, printed by W Peacock and Sons, 1807; a National Rifle Association medal and case, 1860; and assorted photographs, [1920-1925], coins and notes on the family history, [1920-1929].

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Arranged in sections as noted in the Scope and Content.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open to all registered users of the Royal Holloway, University of London Archives.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copies may be supplied, subject to the condition of the original. Requests to publish original material should be directed to the College Archivist.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Handlist available in the Royal Holloway, University of London Archives reading room.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Royal Holloway, University of London

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in accordance 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

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area