LAC/140
Various
Strick and Bellingham, Solicitors (Swansea) Collection
1841-1918
2 boxes
Swansea University Archives
In c1800, John Vivian came to Swansea from Cornwall and set up a copper smelting works at Penclawdd, Glamorganshire. In 1809, the works moved to Hafod. The company of Vivian and Sons was established and operated both the Hafod works and the White Rock Copper Works in the Lower Swansea Valley. The White Rock Copper Works were established in the Lower Swansea Valley in 1737 by John Hoblyn. After various operators, they were operated by Williams, Foster and Company and Vivian and Sons until 1870-1874 (working lead and silver), and just Vivian and Sons c1874-1924. By the 1830s, Vivian and Sons held a 20% share in the copper market, rising to 27% in the late 1830s.In 1835, John Henry Vivian, John Vivian's son, introduced zinc smelting, and in 1838 the firm took over the smelting works of the English Copper Company at Margam. In 1842, John Vivian's grandson, Henry Hussey Vivian entered the business, and improved the art of zinc smelting by the introduction of new furnaces and helped to develop the firm's collieries. Demand for non-ferrous metals rose in the 1880s and 1890s as copper was used in the generation and transmission of electricity, which ensured the growth of Vivian and Sons. They secured their own ore supplies and invested in mining, but they mostly turned out to be failures. In the 1890s-1900s, traditional smelting companies such as Vivian and Sons suffered as competition from companies working with their own sources of ore supply. Vivian and Sons became a limited company in 1914, and although they made large profits during World War I, they suffered heavy losses afterwards in the post war depression. In 1924, Vivian and Sons amalgamated with the other major copper smelting firm in Swansea, Williams Foster and Company and Pascoe Grenfell and Sons Limited, to form British Copper Manufacturers' Limited. This was taken over in 1927 by Yorkshire Imperial Metals Limited, a joint company of Yorkshire Metals and Imperial Chemical Industries Limited (ICI). The Vivian family were an influential family in Swansea and owned both Clyne Castle and the Singleton Abbey estate, which was the Swansea home of the Vivian family, After the death of Henry Hussey in 1894 the Vivian family's links with both Swansea and Singleton Abbey began to loosen, especially after a terrible fire at the Abbey in 1896. Finally the house and estate were sold in 1919.
Contains draft, unexecuted and copy deeds, with associated law papers, correspondence and plans relating to Strick and Bellingham's (solicitors) professional duties on behalf of one of their most prominent local clients, Messers. Vivians and Sons, particularly in relation to Vivians and Sons' mineral and industrial properties.
Divided into 5 subfounds; partnership and employment agreements, mineral properties, industrial properties, miscellaneous properties, manufacturing agreements.
Vivian and Sons (Firm); 1809-1924
; Strick and Bellingham; ; ;
Legal documents--Wales--Swansea
Copper industry and trade--Wales, South
Metal trade--Wales, South
Access unrestricted unless stated otherwise.
Deposited by Messers. Strick and Bellingham in January 1986.
A photocopying service is available. Contact repository for details. No publication without written permission from the Archivist.
GB 217 LAC/101 Singleton Abbey, GB 217 LAC/116 Vivian, William Graham, GB 217 LAC/117 Vivian, Hugh, GB 217 LAC/126 Yorkshire Imperial Metals, GB 217 LAC/122 White Rock Works. Descriptions of these collections are available on the Archives Hub. Location of material relating to the Vivian Family, can be found by looking on the National Register of Archives references GB/NNAF/F7915, GB/NNAF/F9274, and GB/NNAF/F9158.
A paper finding aid is available.
LAC/140/A
Partnership and Employment Agreements
1880-1888
3 items
Swansea University Archives
Usual copyright regulations apply
LAC/140/A/1
Deed of partnership between H H Vivian, W G Vivian, A P Vivian, R G Vivian and Edward Budd for carrying on the business of Vivian and Sons
9 Aug 1880
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/A/2
Deed of partnership between Vivian and Sons, the English Crown Spelter Company, Dillwyn and Company, the Swansea Vale Smelter Company and Pascoe, Grenfell and Sons for forming the Vizcaya Mining Company and for purchasing mines near Bilboa
1887
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/A/3
Agreement: H H Vivian and Co and Gudbrand Henrikson for the latter to be employed as sub-manager of the company's mines in New Caledonia
1888
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B
Mineral Properties
1841-1918
25 items
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/1
Lease by C R M Talbot to Sir R Hussey Vivian and J H Vivian of coal viens under lands at Margam
12 May 1841
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/2
Lease by C R M Talbot to H H Vivian and W G Vivian of coal and iron ore under Margam Moor
20 Jan 1864
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/3
Agreement between Messrs Vivian and Sons and Philip Richard and John Glasbrok, for pumping at Callands Pit, Landore; attached plans
1868
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/4
Lease by John Glasbrook to H H Vivian and W G Vivian of Worcester Colliery, Swansea
1870
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/5
Lease by Richard Jenkins to Messrs Vivian of lead and other ores under Cefn Farm, Tythegston
1871
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/6
Agreement between Philip Richard and John Glasbrook with the Duke of Beaufort re part of the Three Feet Vein in Trewyddfa
1871
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/7
Surrender by H H Vivian to William Martin of coal veins under Panymaes, Llangefylach
5 Jan 1872
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/8
License to underlet property as in LAC/140/B/6 by Duke Of Beaufort to Philip Richard and John Glasbrook
1873
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/9
Agreement by C R M Talbot and H H Vivian and W G Vivian, re coal vieins under Goytre and Bromhill Farm, Margam
1873
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/10
Agreement between Trew Jegon, and H H Vivian and W G Vivian for lease of coal veins udner the Cadley Estate, Llangyfelach
1 Jul 1879
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/11
Lease by Henry Dillwyn and Thomas Falconer to H H Vivian and W G Vivian of the Pentre Colliery
1880
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/12
Lease by C R M Talbot to H H Vivian and W G Vivian, of coal and iron under Margam Moor
10 Mar 1882
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/13
Conveyance by the Trustees of the late Revd Calvert Richard Jones etc to H H Vivian and W G Vivian of properties at Treboeth, Pentre etc
1882
1 item
Swansea University Archives
Usual copyright regulations apply
LAC/140/B/14
Agreement between J J Vivian and W G Vivian, and John Glasbrook for an underlease of coal and ironstone veins under Cadley Pemplas and Pentregarw, Llangyfelach; attached plan
1882
1 item
Swansea University Archives
Usual copyright regulations apply
LAC/140/B/15
Draft agreement between Sir H H Vivian and W G Vivian, and William Bevan for underlease of the Five Feet Seam under Tregernidd, Swansea; attached plan
1882
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/16
Lease by G B Morris to Messrs Vivian and Sons, of part of Mynydd Newydd Inclined Plane etc; enclosed plan
14 May 1886
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/17
Underlease by Sir H H Vivian and W G Vivian to Sir John Jones Jenkins of coal veins under Pentylerbrain near Swansea
24 Jun 1886
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/18
Agreement between Sir John Dillwyn Llewelyn and Messrs Vivian and Sons for a lease of coal under part of the Penllergaer estate; enclosed plan and bill for legal charges
7 Jul 1898
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/19
Agreement between W H Vivian and the Cefngyfelach Colliery Company for a lease of the Five Foot Vein under lands in Llangyfelach
8 Dec 1898
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/20
Lease by Sir John Dillwyn Llewellyn to Messrs Vivian and Sons of the Three Foot Vein under Tirgwegydd, Cefncadle and Cefngyfelach in the parish of Llangyfelach
1901
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/21
Agreement between W G Vivian etc and S & J Hill Ltd for a lease of the Graigola Vein under Pantylasse Farm, Llangyfelach
1909
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/22
Agreement between W G Vivian and Raleigh Grey, re Pentre Colliery; attached plan
3 Mar 1912
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/23
Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Pentre Collieries and Brickworks Co Ltd
1913
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/24
Lease by Raleigh Grey to the Pentre Collieries and Brickworks Co Ltd of mineral veins under land in the parishes of Swansea and Llangyfelach
1913
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/B/25
Lease by G H Vos and Margaret Jenkins to Messrs Vivian and Sons of coal under Blaenymas Farm, Llangyfelach
1918
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C
Industrial Properties
1845-1902
13 items
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/1
Lease by the Earl of Jersey to J H Vivian, of part of Hafod Farm, Swansea; attached plan
14 Jun 1845
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/2
Lease by the Calland Trustees to Milbrook Iron Company of part of the Copper-House Lands, Landore
1853
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/3
Assignment by William Williams and other to H H Vivian of Morriston Foundry
1858
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/4
Conveyance by Robert Evans to H H Vivian and W G Vivian of Landore Chemical and Alkali Works
1864
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/5
Lease by C R M Talbot to H H Vivian and W G Vivian of Margam Copper Works
1870
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/6
Assignment by J C Richardson to H H Vivian and W G Vivian of Landore Alkali Works
1875
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/7
Particulars of sale of the Ely Paper Works; attached plans
1876
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/8
Lease by C R M Talbot to H H Vivian and W G Vivian of Margam Copper Works
1882
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/9
Copy correspondence re proposed new lease form Messrs Calland to Vivian and Sons of works at Morriston; enclosed law papers
1893
1 bundle
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/10
Abstract of title of W G Vivian to works held of Messrs Calland at Morriston
1898
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/11
Lease by Messrs Calland to W G Vivian of Lower Forest Copper and other works at Morriston
1896
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/12
Agreement between Messrs Vivian and Sons and the Cwmfelin Tin Plate Company re pumping station at Hafod
1898
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/C/13
Underlease by Vivian and Sons to the Atlantic Patent Fuel Company of the Patent Fuel Works, between the canal and the North Dock, Swansea; enclosed correspondence
1902
1bundle
Swansea University Archives
Usual copyright regulations apply
LAC/140/D
Miscellaneous Properties
1842-1887
3 items
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/D/1
The Calland Estate Act, to enable the granting of building leases and for the sale and re-purchase of lands
1842
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/D/2
Aberdwyberthy estate rentals
1862-1866
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/D/3
Abstract of title of the Bennet estate, Landore
1863
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/D/4
Schedule of field properties on the Parc le Breos estate
1866
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/D/5
Annual report, accounts and list of shareholders of the Swansea Canal Navigation
1870
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/D/6
Abstratct of title to the Aberdwyberthi estate
1876
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/D/7
Conveyance by John Dillwyn Llewelyn and others to Swasnea School Board of the Morrison British School
1887
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E
Manufacturing Agreements
1870-1879
3 items
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/1
License from Alfred Borgnet to Vivian and Sons to use his patent for improvement in furnaces and apparatus for smelting zinc and other ores
1870
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/2
Contract between Vivian and Sons and J R Waddle for the manufacture of a ventilating fan
1871
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/3
License by the Plating Company Ltd to Messrs H H Vivian and Company to use a patent for improvements in the electro-disposition of nickel
1878
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/4
Agreement between Joseph Binon and Alfonse Grandfils, and Vivian and Sons to use a patent for improvements in the smelting of zinc; enclosed related papers
21 Jul 1882
1 bundle
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/5
Contract betweenThomas Kirkham and Co and Vivian and Sons for the erection of a sulphate-of-copper plant at Landore
1887
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/6
Agreement between Alfredo Pope and Vivian and Sons for the purchase of mines near Bilbao; enclosed related papers
1887
1 bundle
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/7
Agreement between James J Tonkin and Messrs Vivian and Sons for the lease of the Rica Mine, Huelva, Spain
1887
1 bundle
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/8
Agreement between Down and Company, and Vivian and Sons for the sale of and purchase of zinc ashes
1888
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/9
Agreement between A Oppenheimer and H H Vivian and Company for the lease of the Bon Prospect Nickel Mine, New South Wales; enclosed related correspondence
1888
1 bundle
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/10
Agreement between Vivian and Sons and Charles Macler, to develop the Djebilet el Kohol Mines, Tunisia
1898
1 item
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/11
License by Compagnie du Reacteur Metallurgique to Vivian and Sons to use their reactor patent; enclosed related correspondence
1902
1 bundle
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/12
Pleadings and law papers re claim for metal sheeting of the brig Blanche by Vivian and Sons
1875-1877
1 bundle
Swansea University Archives
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LAC/140/E/13
Petition to the Home Secretary to extend to copper mills, the exception contained in the Factory and Workshops Act of 1878, as to the employment at night of male young persons
1879
1 bundle
Swansea University Archives
Usual copyright regulations apply