Identity area
Reference code
Title
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.
Repository
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
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
- Finance » Financial administration » Accounting
- Agriculture
- Family
- Family » Family environment
- Rural areas » Rural population » Farmers
- Finance
- Finance » Financial administration
- Finance » Financial administration » Accounting » Financial statements
- Family » Households
- Family » Family environment » Parent child relationship
- Visual materials » Photographs
- Theology » Religious belief
- Rural areas
- Rural areas » Rural population
- Theology
- Visual materials
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
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