London Metropolitan Archives

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1000 Years of London's History in Documents, Photos, Maps and Films

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London Metropolitan Archives - Item Details

NEW ENGLAND COMPANY

Date of Creation:

1543-2004

Reference Code:

CLC/540

Scope and Content:
  • The majority of the collection dates from 1649, with deeds from 1543-1983. Some records are held only in the form of microfilms or photocopies as originals held in North America.

    The records comprise: Charters 1662-1961; Court and committee minutes 1655-1994; copy minutes of Commissioners for Indian Affairs 1699-1818; and court attendance books 1937-63 and 1970-1. Financial records 1651-1990.

    Correspondence and papers about Indians and Indian affairs in New England 1657-1764; papers relating to the proceedings of the Company 1649-56; reports on Company affairs and undertakings 1822-6; deeds; papers about support for missionary activity in West Indies and Canada 1961-99; and papers about the sale of the Mohawk Institute 1961-2004.

    Letter books 1688-1772, 1872-1919; papers about the history of Company 1700-1913 and tercentenary 1949; lists of governors, treasurers, clerks and members of the company, 1668 and 1741-1859; and miscellaneous administrative and legal papers 1688-1839, 1876-7.

    Deeds and papers relating to Company estates, particularly in Essex, 1543-2004; inventories of Company effects in New England 1708, 1714; papers concerning Robert Boyle's annuity 1814-1900; copy will of Rev Daniel Williams 1711-12; and papers relating to William Pennoyer's charity 1670-1902.

    Records also include printed material and historical notes which contains: Book of common prayer translated into the Mohawk language, 1780- 1787; history of the company, 1993; scrapbook, 1970 and sketch of Mohawk Village, Brantford, Ontario - 1830.
Extent: 235 production units
Classification: ASSOCIATIONS
Former Reference: MS 07908- 08011B, MS 14776-80, MS 18803-11, MS 18944
Site Location: London Metropolitan Archives
Level of Description:
    Collection

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Administrative History:
  • The New England Company is a missionary society, originally founded by Act of Parliament in 1649 and chartered in 1662 as the "Company for the propagation of the gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America". The Company sent missionaries and teachers to New England, and later further afield to New York and Virginia. Groups of Commissioners, often prominent local citizens, were appointed by the Company to oversee its affairs in New England, with the Governor of Massachusetts usually acting as Chairman.

    The American War of Independence forced the Company to rethink its theatre of operations. Thereafter, efforts were concentrated on native tribes in Canada, and the West Indies. In the 19th century the Company extended its work in Canada, increasingly in conjunction with local bishops and the Canadian Government's Department of Indian Affairs. In the 20th century, the Company handed over its remaining schools to the Department of Indian Affairs and concentrated on managing its estates in England, the proceeds from which are sent to the bishops in Canada for distribution.
Creator: New England Company | missionary society
Copyright: Depositor
Source of Acquisition:
  • The Company's archives were deposited in the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library in 1953. Additional deposits were made in 1969, 1979, 1980, 1988, 1992, 1995, 2001 and 2006. The Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section merged with the London Metropolitan Archives in 2009.
  • 1972/009
  • 1953/069
  • 1995/026
  • 2001/051
  • 2006/018
  • CLC/XX/025
  • 1979/069
  • 1979/070
  • 1979/073
  • 1992/026
  • 1986/023
  • 1995/068
Access Restrictions: These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information may be subject to access restrictions
Arrangement: The records have been arranged in order reflecting the record function, e.g. administration, financial and so on.
Related Material: See also: Kellaway, William, The New England Company: 1649-1776, Longmans, Green and Co. Ltd. (1961) (S 50.062 KEL)