Barrell family papers, 1751-1929, bulk 1791-1889

Barrell family papers, 1751-1929, bulk 1791-1889

Summary Information

Abstract

The collection consists primarily of personal correspondence between members of the Barrell family in London, the United States, Barbados, and Demerara which was then a part of British Guiana. The collection also contains several family chronicles, a diary and cashbook belonging to Theodore Barrell, autograph albums belonging to Walter Newberry Barrell and Theodora Barrell, and photographs and silhouettes.

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#0082
Bib ID:
4078972 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Barrell Family
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
1.25 linear feet (3 document boxes)
Language(s):
English .
Access:
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Description

Summary

The collection consists primarily of letters to Theodore Barrell from members of the Barrell family in London, the United States, Barbados. The collection also contains geneological chronicles, a diary and cashbook belonging to Theodore Barrell, autograph albums belonging to Walter Barrell and Theodora Barrell, an exercise book belonging to John Stayner Barrell, and silhouettes and photographs of the Barrell family and of their property.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in five series.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Barrell Family Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Alternate Form Available

Manuscripts and photographs are on: microfilm. 4079759

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Walter E. Benjamin. Method of acquisition--gift; Accession number--M59.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 03/31/89.

Papers Re-processed Jenny Mathias, MSLIS Pratt Institute 2011 2010.

Finding aid written Jenny Mathias, MSLIS Pratt Institute 2011 2010.

Revision Description

2011-02-10 xml document instance created by Carrie Hintz

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Biographical / Historical

The Barrell Family were noted merchants and businessmen in London and in Colonial Demerara, now part of Guyana.

Theodore Barrell, the son of Walter Newberry Barrell, a London-based businessman, was both in Boston in 1771. He spent most of his career working as a merchant in the Americas, including in Barbados where he met his wife Elizabeth Beckles Barrell (born November 18, 1783) and in Demerara.

Theodore Barrell died in Saugerties, New York in 1846.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form
Autographs (manuscripts)
Diaries
Photographic prints
Name
Barrell, Theodore
Barrell, Walter
Place
Barbados -- Description and travel
Guyana -- Commerce
Guyana -- Description and travel
London (England) -- Description and travel
Subject
British Guiana -- Description and travel
Families -- Barbados
Families -- Guyana
Merchants

Series I: Correspondence, 1751-1853

This series is composed of primarily letters from various members of the Barrell family to Theodore Barrell, There are also a few letters to other members of the Barrell family, however the bulk of the correspondence is addressed to Theodore. The largest single group comprises the letters of Walter Barrell in London to his son, Theodore who was then a merchant in Demarara. These letters mention such family affairs as births, deaths and marriages, business matters including payments received and payments due, and advice from father to son on interpersonal matters often including remarks on religion and faith. Some correspondence makes passing mention of the change of rule in Demarara from British to Dutch and then back to British rule again from 1802-1803 and the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. The majority of the correspondence from other members of the family deals with major family events, health of family members and friends of the family and trade matters.


Box 1 Folder 1

A-B, 1751-1841


Box 1 Folder 2

Barrell, Abigail, 1794-1846


Box 1 Folder 3

Barrell, Theodore, 1836-1845


Box 1 Folder 4

Barrell, Walter to Theodore Barrell, 1781-1804


Box 1 Folder 5

Barrell, William to Theodore Barrel, 1795-1803


Box 1 Folder 6

C-Z, 1794-1853


Box 1 Folder 7

Massa, Theodora, 1837-1844

Series II: Autograph Albums, Diaries, and Exercise Book, 1814-1881

This series contains autograph books belonging to Theodore Barrell's children, Walter Newberry Barrell and Theodora Barrell, a diary and cashbook belonging to Theodore Barrell from 1841 and an exercise book belonging to John Stayner Barrell dated 1814-1816.

Theodore Barrell's diary and cashbook of 1841 details his observations on subjects ranging from weather conditions to comparisions of different branches of the Christian faith. The diary and cashbook also lists cash receipts and expenditures and marks important historical dates and Barrell family events.

John Stayner Barrell's exercise book is mainly composed of his study of the French language including vocabulary, verb conjugations and extensive translations from English to French. The book also contains brief entries on such subjects as social customs in letter writing, shorthand notation, arithmetic and religion. The exercise book also contains lovingly illustrated family trees for the Barrell family and the Stayner family.

This series also contains a diary compiled by Charles Barrell, Elizabeth Barrell, Elizabeth Massa, and Theodora Barrell including historical events as well as daily occurrences.


Box 2 Folder 1

Barrell, Charles-- Diary, 1837-1881, (2 Folders)

(compiled with Elizabeth Barrell, Elizabeth Massa, and Theodora Barrell)


Box 2 Folder 2

Barrell, John Stayner-- Exercise Book


Box 2 Folder 3

Barrell, Theodora-- Autograph and Commonplace Book, 1820-1826


Box 2 Folder 4

Barrell, Theodore-- Diary and Account Book, 1841


Box 3 Folder 1

Barrell, Walter Newberry-- Autograph and Commonplace Book, 1823-1827

Series III: Visual Materials, Undated, 1864-1889

This series contains a small number of photographs of members of the Barrell Family and property owned by the family. There are also two silhouettes.


Box 3 Folder 2

Photographs, undated, 1864-1889


Box 3 Folder 3

Silhouettes, undated

(one is of Theodora Barrell)

Series IV: Geanealogical Material and Family Documents

This series is comprised of notes about the genealogy of the Barrell Family and family and legal documents such as land deeds and wills.


Box 3 Folder 4

Notes on Barrell Family genealogy, 1929


Box 3 Folder 5

Barrell Family Chonology, 1579-1849


Box 3 Folder 6

Barrell Family Chronology, 1878

(compiled by Charles Barrell and enclosed in a letter to his cousin)


Box 3 Folder 7

Conveyance of Property by Theodore Barrell to Ferdinand Massa, 1831


Box 3 Folder 8

Notice of Lottery or Sale of Theodore Barrell's Property in Demerara, 1804

(printed broadside)


Box 3 Folder 9

History of the Gall Estate


Gall, Elizabeth


Box 3 Folder 10

Last Will and Testament, 1813


Box 3 Folder 11

Copy of a Paper Handed to Miss Gall, 1916


Box 3 Folder 12

Barrell, Theodore-- Sketches of the Demerary Incidents 2nd September 1791 to 29th March 1800, September 1791, March 1800


Box 3 Folder 13

Mscellaneous Items

Series V: Books Owned by the Barrell Family


Box 3

The Bouquet: A Selection of Poems owned by Elizabeth Barrell


Box 3

De L'education des Enfans owned by Theodore Barrell