Guide to the Papers of Thomas Barker
MS 3603
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Thomas Barker
- Title
- Papers of Thomas Barker
- Date Range
- 1838-1874
- Collection Number
- MS 3603
- Extent
- 0.56 metres (4 boxes + 1 folio)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- National Library of Australia
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The material in this collection was originally part of the Sir John Ferguson collection. When the Ferguson collection was divided up, Barker's papers were separated into two collections, MS 3335 and MS 3603. As part of recent work on Barker's papers, the material in MS 3335 has been added to MS 3603.
The collection contains correspondence, financial papers, receipts, cheques, and a small number of ink drawings and maps.
Much of the correspondence and the financial papers in the collection relate to the management by Barker of George Macleay's Australian estates while he was in Europe and to the settlement of Alexander Macleay's estate after his death in 1848. Thomas Barker, along with Captain William Dumaresq, Macleay's son in law were the executors of the will. The collection was originally listed as including a copy of the will of Alexander Macleay but this cannot be located at present.
Other correspondents include George Macleay's father Alexander Macleay, Alexander Berry, Vincent Dowling of London, Captain William Dumaresq, John Dow and Major William Stewart.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn721123).
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Thomas Barker, National Library of Australia, MS 3603, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Biographical Note
Thomas Barker was born on 25 March 1799 in Soho, London, the son of James and Mary Barker. Barker arrived in Sydney aboard the Earl Spencer in late 1813 as an apprentice of the engineer and manufacturer John Dickson. During the 1820s Barker operated a successful flour milling business, expanding his interests during the 1840s and 50s to include cloth and woollen mills. He was also a director of the Commercial Banking Co of Sydney, the founder and director of the Royal Exchange and a trustee of the Savings Bank of NSW. A skilful engineer, Barker was one of the earliest promoters of railways in the colony and was a director and president of the Sydney Railway Co. In addition to his Sydney estate at Darling Harbour, Barker also owned land in Yass and along the Murrumbidgee. Married twice, with one son, Barker died on 12 March 1875 and was buried in St Stephens's churchyard, Camperdown.
Item Descriptions
Correspondence, 1853 (File 9) - Box 2
Together with collection of 'cheques' to various individuals, made out by Thomas Barker and George Macleay. Many of the letters relate to the settlement of Alexander Macleay's estate
Loan papers relating to a loan by George Frederick Baker to Jane and Eleanor Cooper, 1859 (File 11) - Box 2
Undated condolence letters, 1869-71 (File 24) - Box 3
Many relate to the death Barbara Macleay wife of George Macleay
Undated miscellaneous correspondence mainly from George Macleay to Thomas Barker (File 25-26) - Box 3
Financial papers (File 27) - Box 4
Including material pertaining to settlement of Alexander McLeay's estate, 1837-45