The Musicians Records, held at the Guildhall Library, London, are fascinating for students of the history of music and its practice.
They are a small but nonetheless highly valuable set of papers covering the period 1604 – 1881. The early records include chronological and alphabetical lists of freemen of the company complete with addresses and occupations.
Ms. 3101, dated 1769 contains James I’s 1604 Royal Charter for the Company. Ms. 3092 is a rent book with names of tenants and details of revenue from the Company’s estates in London. Other manuscripts include committee reports, cash books, apprentice bindings and warden’s accounts.
4 reels
Reference: MUI
Contents
| Reel | Manuscript Number | Description |
| 1 | Ms. 3101 | Charter |
| Ms. 3102 | Report of committee | |
| Ms. 3100 | Abstracts of the resolution | |
| Ms. 3090 | Masters’ account book | |
| Ms. 3089 | Cash book | |
| Ms. 3092 | Rent book | |
| 2 | Ms. 3087/1 | Court minute books 1772 – 1780 |
| Ms. 3087/2 | Court minute books 1780 – 1803 | |
| Ms. 3087/3 | Court minute books 1803 – 1830 | |
| 3 | Ms. 3087/5 | Court minute books 1831 – 1839 |
| Ms. 3087/6 | Court minute books 1858 – 1878 | |
| Ms. 3087/7 | Court minute books 1878 – 1897 | |
| Ms. 3087A/1 | Rough minute books 1779 – 1813 | |
| Ms. 3087A/1a | Rough minute books 1813 – 1832 | |
| MS. 3087A/2 | Rough minute books 1833 – 1857 | |
| MS. 3087A/3 | Rough minute books 1858 – 1871 | |
| 4 | Ms. 3088 | Cash book 1752 – 1776 |
| Ms. 3091 | Wardens’ accounts 1712 – 1754 | |
| Ms. 3093 | Quarterage book 1770 – 1791 | |
| Ms. 3094/1 | Apprentice bindings 1765 – 1776 | |
| Ms. 3094/2 | Apprentice bindings 1776 – 1832 | |
| Ms. 3095 | Apprentice bindings 1776 – 1877 | |
| Ms. 3096 | Freedom admissions 1776 – 1881 | |
| Ms. 3097 | List of Freemen 1740 – 1764 | |
| Ms. 3098 | List of Freemen 1743 – 1831 | |
| Ms. 3099 | List of Livery 1770 |