| Description | The origins of the firm lay in the practice of John Ward (d 1806) in Marlborough, who was also agent to the marquis of Ailesbury. Thomas Merriman (1771-1841) was articled to Ward, and became his partner. Their practice was in Silverless Street. They became heavily involved with the Kennet and Avon Canal Company. Thomas served as clerk to the company. He was town clerk of Marlborough until 1815. His sons Thomas Baverstock Merriman and William Clark Merriman continued the practice after his death. They were also partners in the Marlborough bank of Ward, Brown, Merriman and Halcombe. Thomas served as clerk to the Marlborough Poor Law Guardians and William held the position of clerk to the borough magistrates, the Marlborough and Froxfield Turnpike trust and the K & A canal co. William Clark Merriman (1864-1875) and Robert William Merriman (1875-1912) served as clerk of the Peace for Wiltshire. They were also agents for the Sun Insurance Co. By 1875 the firm was Merriman and Gwillim and remained so until 1911, then just Gwillim, and by 1935 Gwillim, Porter and Long. The family name was reinstated through a sense of history rather than personal connection. |
| Administrative History | Around the time of deposit of the archives in 1983 Mr AT Mortlock, a partner of the firm allowed Carlisle Stamp Centre to go through the collection looking for interesting postmarks and stamps, and there are a few photocopies of the some of the documents removed. This is probably why so much of the 19th century papers were in a such a state of disarray with original bundles broken up and contents scattered throughout the archive.
Several Marlborough borough archives found in the collection have been placed appropriately; burgess and voters' lists, 1832-1843 (G22/120); borough rental, 1678 (G22/1/228); 6 leases of properties, 1716-1806 (G22/1/259, 9, 22, 29, 32, 34); rentals receipts for butchers' shambles, 1772-1773 (G22/1/229); justices' oaths of allegiance, 1851-1887 (G22/1/140). Other material has been moved to G22/1/266/1, 154/9-10, 155/2-3, 166/2, 168/7, 701/1. Printed items, notably election squibs for Marlborough and Kennet and Avon Canal annual accounts, used for draft clients' bills, the former have been added to the series in the Marlborough borough archives (G22/1/319), and the latter to 2027/2/9. Papers relating to the control of infectious animal diseases have been added to the main series in the Quarter sessions archives (A1/715). Petty Sessional papers have been transferred to B16/290/1-7, and Marlborough Poor Law Union records to H10/146/2, 160/5, 190/8-9. Great Bedwyn church rate, 1737 added to parish records (1836/65). Wroughton poor rates added to parish records (551/130). Wooldridge and Thomegay (Poor) charity documents, 1707-1901 transferred to Ogbourne St George parish records (3310/57). Marlborough County Court records have been transferred to L4. |