| Description | The collection consists of the Bill family papers, there being title deeds, 1438-1866, estate material, 1690-1913, and private papers, 1685-1913. Robert Bill moved to Farley Hall from Norbury in Derbyshire in 1607. He and his ancestors purchased various properties in Farley and the surrounding district from 1612/3, including some in Derbyshire, thus acquiring a large estate in the north of the county. There are numerous tithe papers for Farley, Alton, Cotton etc., 1607-1853, including valuations, surveys and accounts. The wills and settlements, 1655/6-1911, are quite considerable and therefore give a clear picture of the descent of the family.
The estate papers comprise rentals, surveys, valuations, accounts, including brick, colliery, limestone and timber accounts, correspondence and plans. Charles Bill owned an estate at Aberfeldie in New Zealand in the 19th century; it was sold in 1913 and there are a few papers relating to it.
Richard Bill was bailiff to the Earl of Shrewsbury in the late 17th and early 18th centuries and there are rentals, leases, accounts etc. relating to the Shrewsbury estate. Papers relating to the activities of various members of the family in their capacities of justice of the peace, member of parliament, etc. also occur. In the collection are also inclosure acts, mainly for the Farley district, papers relating to the militia, cavalry, navy, navigation, Alton parish and church, Alton, Cotton, Cauldon and Cheadle schools, railways and roads, personal correspondence and accounts etc. |