Puzzled over a document I found.

[jettejjane]

Whilst researching William Albert Barnes born circa 1886 London,  the husband of Grandmother's sister, I came  across this document which puzzles me.  His father William Orton Barnes named on the document was an architect in later life. I found another similar  document with Eugene Barnes brother of William Albert. I believe a Mercer is a dealer in textiles. 

Can anyone explain to me what it is all about please. 

[jettejjane]

Is the pic too big?

[jim1]

As it says it's a Freedom of the City admission paper. He qualifies because his father was also a Freeman of London.

[jim1]

Just to add a bit to the above had he been born prior to his father's admittance he wouldn't automatically have qualified by right.
It states his father was admitted in 1877 & he was born in 1886 & applied at the age of majority.

[JenB]

It states his father was admitted in 1877 & he was born in 1886 & applied at the age of majority.

On his father's papers (on Ancestry) it states that his father was also William Barnes, a Mercer, and he was admitted in 1828. It looks like his father's papers are there as well 

[california dreamin]

Hi Jane

Have a look on the Mercer's website here:  https://www.mercers.co.uk/history

And here http://www.londonroll.org/

It is one of the original 12 Livery companies.  They were 'granted' lands in Ireland - not particularly to the benefit of the locals!

Kind regards
CD

[jettejjane]

Thanks everyone. Jim I do know what a Freeman means. My wonderful father was granted Freedom of Arundel in 2004 in recognition of his services to the town. I suppose a Mercer was recognized because it brings trade to London. I just wondered as I thought you got that honour for doing something noteworthy.

I will look at the other papers on ancestry and look into links. Sorry if I have wasted your time.

[arthurk]

Just because someone was in the Mercers' Company, it doesn't necessarily mean that that was the trade they were engaged in. I once came across a diamond cutter who was admitted to the Farriers' Company (because the master who taught him was in that company), and there are no doubt many similar cases where the company and the trade don't really match.

[jettejjane]

Just because someone was in the Mercers' Company, it doesn't necessarily mean that that was the trade they were engaged in. I once came across a diamond cutter who was admitted to the Farriers' Company (because the master who taught him was in that company), and there are no doubt many similar cases where the company and the trade don't really match.

Thank you, that was what confused me. The trade didn't fit with what I knew he did.