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London Metropolitan Archives

TOWN CLERK'S DEPARTMENT: TOWN CLERKS

IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): COL/TCD/TC

Held at: London Metropolitan Archives

Title: TOWN CLERK'S DEPARTMENT: TOWN CLERKS

Date(s): 1284-1982

Level of description: Collection

Extent: 0.25 linear metres

Name of creator(s): Corporation of London

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

The office of Town Clerk can be traced back to 1274, when it was referred to as the office of Common Clerk. The Town Clerk was responsible for recording the minutes of the Common Council and all of its Committees as well as for general record keeping and administration.

In the present day, the Town Clerk and Chief Executive of the City of London has authority over all other City of London officers as is necessary for the efficient management and execution of the City of London's functions. He is also the City of London's principal advisor on matters of policy through the Policy and Resources Committee. The Town Clerk's department at the City of London is responsible for a number of areas of work, including servicing meetings of the Court of Common Council and Court of Aldermen, their committees, sub-committees and working parties. Other areas of work include taking responsibility for investigating complaints against the City of London from members of the public, acting as the Electoral Registration Officer and being responsible for the City of London's public relations, economic development and human resources.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Papers of individual Town Clerks, including documents regarding an affray between Ralph Crepyn, Town Clerk, and Lawrence Duket, goldsmith, which led to Duket's death, 1284; letters addressed to Miles Man, 1726-1756; letters addressed to James Hodges, 1757-1774; journal recording the business done by the Town Clerk in person, including attendance at Courts, Committees and ceremonials, 1759; transcript of divorce proceedings in the Consistory Court between Town Clerk William Rix and his wife, including information about her activities with her lover in the Town Clerk's house, Guildhall Yard, 1776; letter to Henry Woodthorpe Senior, 1804-1823; papers regarding the debts of Henry Woodthorpe Junior, prisoner in the Fleet, 1826-1842; appreciation and synopsis of career of Alfred Thomas Roach, Town Clerk, 1946 and article John Carpenter - a famous Town Clerk, 1982.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

In sections according to catalogue.

Conditions governing access:

Available for general access.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright: City of London

Physical characteristics:

Fit

Finding aids:

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Corporation of London Records Office.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note: