Cash books of Robert Mellors of Nottinghamshire, farmer, 1866-1880

The collection comprises a single series of four cash books covering the period from 1866 to 1880 which are divided into Mellors' expenditure on charity, farm, house, garden and horses. Some loose accounts and a valuation of individual tools, implements and harnesses are also present. The papers in this collection are written in various different hands.

The volumes are an incomplete record of Mellors' farm and domestic expenditure. Their value would be enhanced if further evidence could be found to identify Mellors. They provide an insight into the cost of a variety of goods and services purchased by a gentleman farmer at the time.

Nothing is known about Robert Mellors other than that he was a farmer. The cash books in this collection suggest that he was a farmer of some stature who contributed regularly and generously to charity. Where Mellors farmed is also unknown. There are references in the cash books to Nottingham, such as in the payment to Rowland and James, a company of bookbinders in the town. The only farmers in Nottinghamshire recorded in trade directories in this period with the surname Mellors and variations on Mellors farmed in North and South Carlton near Carlton-in-Lindrick. A Robert Mellars is recorded in an 1894 directory as a farmer in South Carlton. Earlier directories record a Robert Mellars as a blacksmith in the same village.

Items in this collection have been arranged chronologically.

ACCESS: Accessible to all registered readers.

REPROGRAPHIC: Reprographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents.

COPYRIGHT: Permission to make any published use of the cash books must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of the Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk). The Department will try to assist in identifying copyright owners but this can be difficult and the responsibility for copyright clearance before publication ultimately rests with the person wishing to publish.

LANGUAGE: English

The cash books were given to The University of Nottingham in September 1941.