| Description | Divided into sections:
- 'Synopsis': includes Richards Limited headed letter paper, with print of the Broadford Works on the letterhead; notes taken from title deeds; and notes on William McKinnon & Co., a foundry and engineering works at Spring Garden, Aberdeen.
- 'Biography': focused on Richards' chairmen. Includes photocopies of Richards' minutes and photographs of Col. Thomas Innes and a royal visit to Broadford Works in 1955.
- 'Fit a Turn Oot' (other files suggest that 'Fit A Turn Oot' was a drama production about the 1834 strike): Transcripts and notes from interviews with workers, and a black and white photograph of two older women at a weaving machine. Also contains a photocopy of the cover and pages 2-11 of 'The Third Report of the [Aberdeen] Female Operative Union: Containing Remarks on the Improper Interference of the Clergy; Correspondence between the Committee and Mr Bannerman; Sarah Copland's Case; Mr Pellatt's Deputation &c' (1834) (relates to a strike at the Broadford Works - Sarah Copland was a worker who brought a case against Thomas Bannerman in the Small Debt Court for dismissal against the terms of the factory's regulations).
- 'Gilcomston Dam': includes photocopy of the draft memorandum for an agreement between the Town Council of Aberdeen and Richards & Company (1864), concerning using water from the Mill burn at Broadford.
- 'Rubislaw Bleachfield': includes photocopies of images of Rubislaw held by the City Library, and letters concerning the lease of the site and pollution there (1818, 1819, 1830).
- Set of chronological notes and copies covering 1783 - 1834. Includes photocopies of: an inventory of property belonging to Barbara Helen and Ann Gordon in Gilcomston (1809); and Mathew Murray's patent for 'Preparing and Spinning Flax, Hemp, Tow, Wool and Silk' (1793) (Murray supplied machinery to Scott Brown & Co.).
- 'John Maberly Bankruptcy 1833-1837 (prepared by Prof. Durie)': paper and extracts from court papers.
- Set of notes and copies of materials relating to the period 1839-1987, in rough chronological order. The copies are largely newspaper reports on the firm (including 1919 strike and annual meetings) but there is also a Royal Sun Insurance Company Limited plan of Broadford Works (1935) and a paper on Richards White Flax Ducks for tents and marquees delivered to the Provincial Association of Marquee Contractors (1958).
Including submissions of Professor A. Durie & Dr. Perrin of the University of Aberdeen and a copy of Richards News (issue 11, Sep 1977). |