Graphical version

Royal Geographical Society

ALLEY, William (fl 1660-1685)


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0402 WAL

Held at: Royal Geographical Society

Title: ALLEY, William (fl 1660-1685)

Date(s): 1665-1679

Level of description: Collection (fonds)

Extent: one bound vellum volume and folder containing typescripts.

Name of creator(s): Alley | William | fl. 1660-1685 | merchant

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

Alley was an English merchant who was active in the East India trade as an interloper where his flamboyant behaviour caused considerable irritation to the East India Company. Numerous pious interjections suggest he may have been a Puritan. He mentions that his wife travelled with him.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Journal of William Alley describing fourteen voyages to India, Malaya and the East Indies in several ships. The typescripts cover most of the journal's text and include material from the records of the East India Company reporting Alley's activities.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English.

System of arrangement:

the folder contains part of a handwritten introduction presumably written by W H Ingrams, followed by typed extracts from East India Company records and from Hedges' Diary (see 3.7.1.below). Journal transcripts are incomplete until 30 January 1666.

Conditions governing access:

Accessed via the Foyle Reading Room. Free of charge for Fellows, Members and those with valid academic identification. All other users pay a charge and must bring identification in order to register on arrival.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Photocopying at Archivist's discretion, and subject to completion of 'application for copies' form. No reproduction or publication without permission of the RGS-IBG Archivist.

Physical characteristics:

Journal is fragile. Vellum bound.

Finding aids:

The RGS archives: a handlist compiled by Christine Kelly. London: RGS, 1977.

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

None expected

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Mr W H Ingrams (FRGS) bequeathed this material to the RGS in 1973.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

The British Library Oriental & India Office Collections holds records of the East India Company.

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Prepared by David Tatham, Archives Volunteer using existing finding aids and Diary of William Hedges Esq. Hakluyt Soc. 1889.

Rules or conventions: ISAD(G) ed.2, name authority NRA.

Date(s) of descriptions: 14 August 2000


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Diaries | Nonfiction | Prose | Literary forms and genres | Literature
International trade | Trade
Maritime transport | Transport
Protestants | Christians | Religious groups
Travel abroad | Travel
Primary documents
Trade (practice)
Water transport

Personal names
Alley | William | fl 1660-1685 | merchant

Corporate names
East India Company

Places
East Indies | South East Asia
India | South Asia
Indonesia | South East Asia
Malaysia | South East Asia
Malaya x Malaysia