Series GDC/184 - Bundles of legal papers

Identity area

Reference code

GDC/184

Title

Bundles of legal papers

Date(s)

  • 11 May 1663-16 November 1830 (Creation)

Level of description

Series

Extent and medium

3 bundles

Context area

Name of creator

(c.1695-present)

Administrative history

The firm of Gray's Solicitors has existed in York since the 17th century. William Gray (1) was the son of a Hull customs officer. He became a solicitor in York. His two sons, Jonathan (b. 1779) and William (2) (b.1785) followed him into the legal business and the firm of Grays, as did Jonathan's son, a third William Gray (b. 1805), and his son, Edwin (b.1847)

In 1843, the second William Gray was at the helm of the firm, which was located at 75 Low Petergate (it had previously been 'Thorpe and Gray's)
William Henry Cobb was born in York around 1839. He became a freemen of the city in 1860, and by 1872 had set up his own solicitor's firm at 19 Blake Street. The firm was known as W.H. Cobb and Son, and given that his son, Cecil was a law student at the time he became a freeman in 1892, it is likely that he joined his father in the business around this time.

Ernest Ralph Dodsworth was the son of Benjamin Dodsworth, a York surgeon. He was born in 1859, and became a freemen in 1883. That year, he set up a solicitors firm on New Street. By 1885, Dodsworth had become a partner in the firm of Gray's Solicitors, which at the time was under the third William Gray and his son Edwin.
In 1897, the combined firm of Gray and Dodsworth relocated from 75 Low Petergate to Duncombe Place. The firm of W.H. Cobb and Son, at 19 Blake Street, remained there until 1939. By the time of the next published City Directory (1949-1950), the Cobb in charge of the firm (likely the son of Cecil Henry Cobb at this point) had become a partner in the firm of Gray and Dodsworth, which then became Gray, Dodsworth, and Cobb, which it remained until at least 1975.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Includes papers relating to the estate of John Robinson Foulis, deceased, late of Heslerton, as well as legal papers relating to Mrs Mary King, John Thompson, William Meek, Richard Lucas of Casterton and John Peckitt. Also includes receipt from Edward Thompson, lease relating to land in Settrington, probate of the will of Edward Groves the elder, legal opinion of Recorder Johnson relating to various families and lands, and counsel's opinion relating to the title of Mr John Groves and others. The structure of this series has been maintained as found, although the inter-relationship between the bundles, if any, is unknown. Please see sub-series, file and item level descriptions for more detailed information about the contents of this series.

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open

Material is available subject to the usual terms and conditions of access to Archives and Local History collections.

Conditions governing reproduction

Images are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Language and script notes

    Finding aids

    Allied materials area

    Existence and location of originals

    Existence and location of copies

    Related units of description

    Related descriptions

    Notes area

    Alternative identifier(s)

    legacy

    G:D 3:3 'A' Z U Z

    Access points

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    Description control area

    Accession area