Administrative records and letters of the Associates

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'Bray Schools' in Canada, America and the Bahamas, 1645–1900

Administrative records and letters of the Associates

Collection: 'Bray Schools' in Canada, America and the Bahamas, 1645–1900 Volumes Administrative records and letters of the Associates

BRAY/f These documents include minute books, letter books and account books for the Associates of Dr Bray. The minute books start with discussion of the aims of the associates, including a proposal for 'establishing a charitable colony for the better mainainance of the poor of the city of London' and plans for promoting the association through the media. Amongst the collection of minute books lie the minutes from the first ever Annual Meeting. Details of gifts from benefactors for use in establishing Christian schools abroad sit alongside a contemporary view of slaves. The secretary to King William IV, Mr D'Alone is shown to be a highly significant benefactor to the cause of establishing and maintaining schools and libraries in: Barbados, the Bahamas and what was then British Guiana. Libraries in Bermuda, the United States, North America, Australia and Hong Kong are also discussed, as are plans for the acquisition of books for lending libraries and the 'Act for the Better Preservation of Parochial Libraries...' which is yet to be repealed as of March 2011. The Distribution of power between the Associates and the church hierarchy is highlighted in the letter books; some letter books are indexed by recipient. Later records detail a redistribution of resources as some libraries fall into disuse and others are expanded. The account books of Dr Bray and of the Associates outline the Costs of school management, alongside other expenses, and the value of donations to their cause.

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