WELLS Family Papers

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0505 PP8
Held at	: Royal Holloway, University of London   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/archives ›
Full title	: WELLS Family Papers
Date(s)	: 1807, [1867]-1931
Level of description	: Collection (fonds)
Extent	: 3 boxes or 0.03m3
Name of creator(s)	: Wells | family | of Hampshire
Detailed catalogue	: Click here to view repository detailed catalogue

Context

Administrative/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.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

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].

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Arranged in sections as noted in the Scope and Content.

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.

Finding aids:

Handlist available in the Royal Holloway, University of London Archives reading room.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Possibly placed in Bedford College by Gretchen Wells following the death of Edward Wells in 1931.

Allied Materials

Related material:

National Register of Archives: Click here to view NRA record

Publication note:

Description Notes

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

Rules or conventions:
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.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Feb 2000