Papers of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, 1st Baronet (1)
MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 444
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Description
From Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts
This is an extract only. For more information, see the catalogue record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts.
Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts contains descriptions of the Bodleian Libraries’ archival collections, including post-1500 manuscripts. Some manuscripts with records in other catalogues are also described here as part of a description of a larger archive. Learn more.
Title
Papers of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, 1st Baronet (1)
Shelfmark
MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 444
Summary
Letters to Hannah Buxton nee Gurney, 1804-1840
Family correspondence, 1812-1847
Miscellaneous correspondence and copies of letters from Joseph John Gurney, 1818-1847
New Year and birthday reflections and obituaries, 1813-1845
Scriptural notes, prayers and meditations, 1828-1838
Notebooks, 1812-[c1814]
Notes and drafts for speeches, [c1820], 1829-1839
Printed speeches and other publications, 1816-1837
Indexes, 1834-1839
Extracts relating to the abolition of slavery, volumes II-XI, 1833-1844
Letters and transcripts of letters describing the Buxton family's journey in Italy, 1839-1840
Papers relating to the inquiry on the apprenticeship of African labourers, 1830-1837
Manuscript and printed papers concerning the apprenticeship system, the emancipation of slaves, etc., 1832-1837
Papers relating to the slave trade, 1828-1841
Extracts from newspapers, 1821-1848
Material extracted by Mrs. Charlotte Upcher from Parliamentary papers and missionary journals to support Buxton's arguments, 1838-1840
Associated place
Africa, West -- Discovery and exploration -- English
Italy -- Description and travel -- 1801-1860
Date
1804-1847
Language
French
English
Physical facet
Due to the way that many of the loose papers were originally folded and stored, the outer surfaces of the folds have tended to become susceptible to damage, while some papers have been stained by the wooden boards they were stored between. After conservation and fumigation, they have been bound uniformly with with the loose family letters and other personal papers. The letter books and other mounted papers have been left in their original state. The letter books are unfit for production, and have been photographed onto microfilm, which is available for consultation at the library.
Physical extent
46 Volumes
Custodial history
Although Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton originally made his own arrangements for the papers to be stored in pigeon holes in his study at Northrepps Hall, Cromer, Norfolk, the collection was actually kept at Northrepps Cottage until [?1911], where Anna Gurney, Buxton's cousin, and Sarah Maria Buxton, his sister, compiled his letter books and prepared other papers. Somehow the first and last letter books became separated from the main series. Nevertheless, the first book was eventually traced and purchased in 1985, and a microfilm copy made of the last book, which was lent to the library by Mr. R.Q. Gurney of Bawdeswell Hall, Norfolk.
The books make reference to letter-cases which no longer form part of the collection. Some of the 'Slave Trade Papers' are also missing. For further information on the formation of the collection, see the library's handlist, Calendar of The Papers of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 1786-1845 by Patricia M. Pugh, List & Index Society, Special Series, Volume 13 (London, Swift Printers (Sales) Ltd., 1980).
Acquisition
The collection was donated to the library by members of the Buxton family in November 1975, after they had been discovered in the apple racks of one of the family properties in Essex.
Subject
Apprentices -- West Indies, British -- History
Slavery -- Africa, West -- History -- 19th century
19th century
Slavery -- Great Britain -- Anti-slavery movements
