Reference
HT16
Title
The papers of Colonel George Hayward Wells, relating to Ickwell property
Date free text
1924-1950
Production date
From: 1924 To: 1950
Creator
Admin/biog history
Colonel George Hayward Wells was born in 1876, son of Charles Wells of Charles Wells Limited, the Bedford based brewing firm. Educated at Bedford School, he married Mary Gertrude Elizabeth Skinner, daughter of Edward F Skinner of Cachar India, in 1924. Towards the end of his life, Wells was managing director and chairman of Charles Wells Limited, director of Muntona Limited and an underwriting member of Lloyd’s bank. He also served as Mayor of Bedford in 1931
Wells purchased property in Ickwell in the 1930s. This included the Old House, in which he and his wife resided and Ickwell Bury which had recently been damaged by a fire. He restored Ickwell Bury and took on the responsibilities of farmer as well as landlord for various properties in Ickwell Green.
On his death in June 1952, Wells left the property of Ickwell Bury to the Harpur Trust, for use by the Bedford School.
Archival history
HT16 arrived as part of an accession from the Harpur Trust and retained their original arrangement of alphabetical and subject folders and this arrangement has been retained. Where alphabetical folders appear to be missing, this is where no contents existed.
System of arrangement
On acquisition this collection was arranged in folders. The bulk of the folders were labelled alphabetically, with some corresponding to specific subjects, individuals or organisations. This arrangement has been retained, although folders which held no content have been omitted from the collection.
Reference
Level of description
sub-fonds