Records of the Morley Family of Leicester

IDENTITY STATEMENT AREA

Reference code(s): DE3624

Title: Records of the Morley Family of Leicester

Date(s): 1791 - 1957

Level of description: Fonds

Extent and medium of the unit of description: 41 documents

CONTEXT AREA

Name of creator(s): Morley Family

Administrative/Biographical history: Accessioned February 1990

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer:

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE AREA

Scope and content: This collection comprises 41 documents (mainly letters and business papers) pertaining to the Morley family of Leicester dated 1791 - 1957. The records provide an insight into the Morley's family life, social circle and business connections within the Leicestershire region and abroad. The main records of note are two letters indicating that the Morleys had business and trade links with the Caribbean region. Items 3524/1-2 were letters written by Christopher Morley to his son, Thomas Morley, St Ann, Jamaica. Details about each letter are summarised below:

• DE 3624/1 Dated 31 July 1797 - Letter from Christopher Morley, Broughton, to his son Thomas Morley, St Ann Bay, Jamaica. Complains of high commission paid to his agents in Jamaica whilst he himself is so poor. Regrets that he has not sent him some sugar as he could have sold that 'tolerable well'. Worry over Thomas's brother, Christopher, who has got into debt. Other details relating to trade in rum, pimentos and raw sugar. Advice on where to send Thomas's son for his education (Mr Robinson of Hinthorp).
• DE 3624/2 Dated 28 Nov 1802 - Letter from Christopher Morley, Farndon, to his son Mr Thomas Morley, St Ann Town, Jamaica: discusses business matters relating to trade in pimentos, rum and sugar. The prices quoted in the letter state that, at that time, rum in London was not worth more than 4 shillings and 3 pence per gallon, sugar 6 pence per pound and pimento 10 pence per pound. The writer mentions that he has taken a small farm at Swinderby [Lincs.] near Newark which he intends Christopher [his other son] to look after. The letter includes other family news, unrelated to the Morley's business affairs in the Caribbean and concludes with an expression of fear that Britain will soon be at war again.

Other items in the collection include prints and printed miscellanea concerning Morley family life in the late 19th - early 20th century (such as leaflets, a plan of a farm, a photograph, a table plan for a wedding breakfast, etc.) and the business papers of Morley and Sons in the 1920s-1950s (family drapers and household furnishers).

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

System of arrangement:

CONDITIONS OF ACCESS AND USE AREA

Conditions governing access: Open access.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Language/scripts of material: English

Physical characteristics:

Finding aids: Printed catalogues

ALLIED MATERIALS AREA

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related units of description:

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION CONTROL AREA

Recorder'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:

Interest: Caribbean

Specific group:

Subjects

Alcoholic beverages

Plant products

Sugar

Plantation economy

Trade

Personal/Corporate names

Places

Caribbean

Jamaica

St Ann, Jamaica