JOSEPH BARBER AND COMPANY LIMITED

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0074 CLC/B/137
Held at	: London Metropolitan Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma ›
Full title	: JOSEPH BARBER AND COMPANY LIMITED
Date(s)	: 1679-1984
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 118 production units.
Name of creator(s)	: Joseph Barber and Co Ltd | wharfingers and warehouse keepers

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The origins of the company are obscure, but there is evidence to suggest that the Barber family was in business as wharfingers early in the 18th century (see Aytoun-Ellis, 300 Years on London River, London, 1952). Joseph Barber was born in 1778 and first appears in London Directories in business alone, as a wharfinger at Chamberlain's Wharf, Tooley Street, Southwark, in 1815. Evidence from London Directories and miscellaneous deeds (Ms 10944A) suggests that Joseph Barber was also in business in partnership with Robert Smith prior to 1815. The freehold of Brewer's and Chester quays was purchased in 1832, although the company had acquired a leasehold interest in these and also Galley quay some years earlier.

In 1859 the style of the firm was changed to Joseph Barber & Company and in 1861 Chamberlain's quay was sold. The company also acquired warehouses and vaults on the north side of Lower Thames Street; bonded vaults in Beer Lane, George street and Tower Hill; bonded warehouses and vaults in Coopers' Row, and drug and other warehouses in Beer Lane, Savage Gardens and Cooper's Row. In 1901 the company was incorporated as a limited liability company. In 1908 Brewer's, Chester and Galley quays were sold; other warehouses and vaults were also sold and by 1920 only those at 10 Cooper's Row remained. From 1911 the registered offices of the company were: 1911-36, 40 Trinity Square; 1937-46, 41 Trinity Square; 1947-71, 61 Crutched Friars (61-2 Crutched Friars 1957-61); 1972-83, 12 America Square. The company went into liquidation in 1983.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of Joseph Barber and Company Limited, wharfingers and warehouse keepers, comprising constitutional documents, financial material, a list of rates and title deeds. This material requires 24 hours notice for access.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Records arranged by MS number, assigned during cataloguing at the Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section.

Conditions governing access:

Access by appointment only. Please contact staff.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright to this collection rests with the City of London.

Finding aids:

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

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

The records were given to Guildhall Library in 1962, 1983 and 2005. They were catalogued by members of Guildhall Library staff. The Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section merged with the London Metropolitan Archives in 2009.

Allied Materials

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:

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:
January to May 2011.