Skip to main content

Colonial Bank correspondence

 Collection
Identifier: SC13

Scope and Contents

The collection of letters consists of the incoming correspondence to the Colonial Bank in Trinidad from its inception in 1837 to 1885. It comprises a total of 1848 items, the majority of which - about 57 % - are letters from the Court of Directors in London to the Manager in Trinidad. The correspondence affords an insight into the economic and social history of Trinidad, the banking needs of the sugar planters and the precarious nature of sugar production in the nineteenth century.

Dates

  • 1837-1885

Biographical / Historical

The Colonial Bank, the forerunner to Barclays Bank and Republic Bank Limited, was established in the West Indian colonies as an effort, on the part of a group of merchants and private bankers in London, to fill the need for a banking system. Business commenced in Trinidad and other colonies (Jamaica, Barbados, British Guiana, St. Thomas) on May 15 1837. By the end of 1837, thirteen branches and agencies had been established.

Extent

3 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Other Finding Aids

An inventory is available in the library at HG 2846. A8 R4 R863 C7. Rouse-Jones, Margaret D, The Colonial Bank correspondence 1837-1885 (Port of Spain, Trinidad: Republic Bank, 1986), 77p.

Custodial History

Republic Bank Limited inherited the collection of documents from Barclays Bank. The collection was donated to The University of the West Indies as part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Bank's operations.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by the Republic Bank Limited in 1987.

Existence and Location of Copies

Bibliography

"From Colonial to Republic : 150 years of banking and business in Trinidad and Tobago, 1837-1987". Port of Spain: Paria Publishing, 1987.
Title
Colonial Bank Correspondence, 1837-1885
Status
Completed
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the The Alma Jordan Library, The University of the West Indies Repository

Contact:
St. Augustine
Trinidad and Tobago
868-662-2002 Ext 82132
868-662-9238 (Fax)