English stamp duties, 1734-1764

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0096 MS 383
Held at	: Senate House Library, University of London   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.senatehouselibrary.ac.uk/our-collections ›
Full title	: English stamp duties, 1734-1764
Date(s)	: [1764]
Level of description	: Collection (fonds)
Extent	: 1 volume containing 33 leaves
Name of creator(s)	: Harris | J | fl 1764 | financial comptroller
Detailed catalogue	: Click here to view repository detailed catalogue

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

Stamp duties were first introduced in England in 1694 by an Act of Parliament (5 & 6 William and Mary c.21). It was a form of taxation, originally levied on legal documents, which required them to use stamped paper. This was soon extended to other items, and became used as a method of social control, for example through the taxation of dice to prevent gambling. The creator is possibly James Harris (English philologist, 1709-1780). Trained as a lawyer. MP for the Borough of Christ Church from 1761-1780. Elected Lord of the Admiralty in 1762 and Lord of the Treasury in 1763 (to 1765). Made Secretary and Comptroller General to the Queen in 1774. Wrote Hermes, or a philosophical inquiry concerning universal grammar (1751).

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Manuscript volume containing 'A general abstract of the stamp duties for thirty years, ending the 2nd August 1764, distinguishing each year'. The abstract is signed 'Made out and carefully examined by I Harris, pro Comptroller'.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Single item.

Conditions governing access:

Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the supervised environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Uncatalogued material may not be seen. Please contact the University Archivist for details.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

Finding aids:

Collection level description.

Archival Information

Archival history:

This manuscript contains the bookplate of William Charles de Meuron Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 7th Earl Fitzwilliam (1872-1943).

Immediate source of acquisition:

Bought from C.W. Traylen in 1951.

Allied Materials

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance 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.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Jun 2001