Lawrence Francis Barrett b. 1818 St Mary Straud London

[t-mase]

Hello,

Very new here but really struggling to find information out about this gentleman.

He is my 3rd Great Grandfather and we believe a founder of Royal London in 1861.

Back in 1861 the Royal London as we know it now was the Royal London Friendly Society. Every single piece of literature points to Joseph Degge and Henry Ridge as the founders. However I recently found an article from a newspaper from 2004 (so not definitive) stating Lawrence Francis Barrett.

I know that in 1865 he was working as a carpenter by trade which was also his fathers trade (James Barrett who we only know arrived from Ireland some time in the early 1800's) but also was working for Royal London. There is a transcript from the Old Bailey where he testifies and gives evidence that states this as fact.

However, the same article also states that upon his death in 1893 he was a director of Royal London and very much a high flyer.

My question really is, is there anywhere online I can search for a list of past employees of Royal London that may show once and for all definitive evidence that if not a founder he was at least one of the first employees of the company?

We also understand his son Francis Harry (Harriet) Barrett also worked for Royal London following in his fathers footsteps. Lawrence to make things harder chopped and changed how he spelt his name also going by Laurence.

Any assistance and guidance at all would be very much appreciate for a mystery that has bugged many of my family for some time.

[keyboard86]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat, as you correctly say in 1865 he was possibly a Carpenter, he was a Carpenter at marriage to Frances Batch 11th March  1856 St Dunstan in the East, where he was a Widower, previous marriage to Mary Ann English 15th February 1835 St Dunstan in the East.

By 1871 he was an Insurance Agent, and 1881 an Insurance Manager and finally in 1891 a hard to read but appears to be a high position in the Insurance world

Keyboard86

[..claire..]

Hi t-mase

And welcome to RootsChat

I have found a probate entry, which says the same thing

BARRETT, Leaurence Francis of 51, Sydney Road, Stockwell, Surrey director of the ROYAL LONDON FRIENDLY SOCIETY died 25th July 1893. Probate London 30th August to Frances Barrett widow.
Effects: £287 1s  10d.

claire

[Jamjar]

I would suggest contacting the company itself: http://www.royallondon.com/contact/

Someone there knows the history as there is a timeline stating who the founders were, so they may have kept other historical documents of the era.

Jamjar

[t-mase]

I really appreciate all of your replies, many thanks for your input.

[ShaunJ]

He's described as a trustee of the Royal London Friendly Society in an 1891 court case in Suffolk (prosecution of Thomas Cleaver for embezzlement).

[CarolA3]

Hello t-mase and welcome to RootsChat

As an ex-insurance bod myself, I've had a go at deciphering the occupations in 1891.

By 1871 he was an Insurance Agent, and 1881 an Insurance Manager and finally in 1891 a hard to read but appears to be a high position in the Insurance world.

Lawrence was a 'Member of Committee of Management Royal London Friendly Society'.
His son Francis H was a 'Collector to R L F Society' so it looks like he did follow his dad.
In both cases the census enumerator has written 'Insur' after the job title.

I would think that the Committee of Management would be the Friendly Society's equivalent to the Board of Directors of a company, but I never reached those dizzy heights so can't be sure

Hope this helps,
Carol

[ShaunJ]

There are quite a few newspaper hits for "L F Barrett". He's mentioned as a member of the Board of Management of RLFS attending a function of the Stepney district branch in the Shoreditch Observer of 29 September 1877.

[t-mase]

Again all, thank you for your help. Really it is appreciated.