Parker family

Collection of papers relating to the Parker family of London, 1765-1891, especially of Wilmot Parker the elder (born 1762) and of his son of the same name (born 1804), both solicitors, comprising:
1. Printed diary The ladies new and polite pocket memorandum-book, for...1765 , completed in manuscript and containing details of expenditure on clothes and social engagements. The diary was kept by an unnamed girl under the age of 21, who appears to have lived near Rugby, Warwickshire. The entries are fairly regular until August, occasional for the rest of the year. A typical entry reads: Monday 11 March 'I sent a letter to dear Mrs.Grimes. I made me [a?] black ribbon ruff & set a row of white beads upon it. 1 pair of fine cotton stockings' 4s. 6d. The names of those who called, or who are visited, are given. The period from 25 Jan to 10 Jun appears to have been spent on a visit to Hircott, near Kidderminster, Worcestershire. She also mentions reading Gil Blas de Santillane by Alain-Rene LeSage (1715-1735) and the Tatler , and playing the harpsichord. Some pages of printed matter, and the diary for 1-6 Jan, are wanting. The accounts for 1-6 Jan. survive.
2. Notebook containing notes on legal subjects made by Wilmot Parker senior, 1786-1808, mostly paraphrases and extracts from legal authorities and cases. On the flyleaf are the signatures of W. Parker, 1786, and 'Mrs.Redman - Reading'. On the spine is written 'H[?]P Miscell[any]'. Inserted at the end of the volume is a draft of the 'Petition of Charles Rogier to the...Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, delivered 12 January 1808'.
3. Annotated copy of An Analysis of the Practice of the Court of Chancery (London, 1794), by Wilmot Parker senior, with the additions and corrections probably made by the author and by his son. Additions were made up to 1821 at least. Pages 129-32 of the printed text are wanting.

No information available at present.

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.

Deposited in 1969 by Messrs. Morrish, Strode and Foulger Robinson (later taken over by Messrs. Vizard, Oldham, Crowder and Cash, solicitors of Lincoln's Inn Fields) through the British Records Association.

Collection level description.

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

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.

The genealogical volume also contained copies of the following newspapers, now shelved separately (shelf-mark: [G.L.] Case 2, 6) the Athenian Mercury , 18 Mar 1693; the London Gazette , 1-5 Jun 1693; the British Apollo , 27-30 Jan 1710; the London Daily Post and General Advertiser , 18 Jul 1739; the London Chronicle , 8-11 Oct 1757; the Public Advertiser , 28 Sep 1762; the Morning Post , and Daily Advertiser , 6 Apr 1779; and the Courier , 16 Aug 1811. A broadside of 5 Aug 1839, E J Onion against W M Elkins, which was also enclosed in the volume, is shelved separately (shelf-mark: [G.L.] Case 2, 6).