Archive Inventory

THE BARKWORTH-WELTON Archive

COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY

Collection Custodian: Justin Lowe, East Yorkshire

Date of Inventory: November 2025 

ITEMS HANDED DOWN THROUGH FAMILY

1. KIENZLE WESTMINSTER CHIME BRACKET CLOCK

   Description: German-made oak-cased bracket clock with Westminster chime

   Maker: Kienzle

   Period: Circa 1920s-1930s

   Provenance: Gift from Algernon Henry Barkworth to John Henry Welton as leaving gift, commemorating nearly 30 years-service

   Chain of Custody: John Henry Welton (1912-1975) → Betty Harrington → Hazel Trotter → Justin Lowe

   Condition: Good, with original movement and patina

2. CABINET PHOTOGRAPH OF ALGERNON HENRY BARKWORTH

   Description: Cabinet card photograph, gelatin silver print on card stock

   Subject: Algernon Henry Barkworth, Titanic survivor, seated in studio wicker chair

   Photographer: The Franco British Art Co., Dublin and Manchester studios

   Dimensions: Approximately 3 inches × 2 inches

   Period: Circa 1912-1914 (post-Titanic, highly likely)

   Provenance: Algernon's personal copy from his studio sitting, gifted to John Henry Welton

   Chain of Custody: Algernon Henry Barkworth → John Henry Welton → Betty Welton → Hazel Trotter → Justin Lowe

   Significance: Original source image for widely reproduced photograph in Titanic publications

   Condition: Age-appropriate wear, foxing, surface spotting; clear image quality

3. PHOTOGRAPH OF ALGERNON BARKWORTH IN SUNBEAM 12/16 TOURER

   Description: Large mounted photograph, black and white

   Subject: Algernon at steering wheel with three passengers in apparent military attire

   Location: Paragon Station, Hull

   Period: Circa 1915 (World War I era)

   Type: Press photograph, believed commissioned for newspaper publication

   Provenance: Algernon's personal collection, handed down to family

   Chain of Custody: Algernon Henry Barkworth → John Henry Welton → Betty Harrington → Hazel Trotter → Justin Lowe

   Significance: Rare documentation of Algernon's post-Titanic life and recovery

   Condition: Good

4. MOUNTED AND SIGNED PORTRAIT OF EVELYN BARKWORTH

   Description: Formal portrait photograph, signed by subject

   Photographer: Turner & Drinkwater, Regent House, Hull

   Subject: Evelyn Barkworth seated at writing desk

   Period: Late Victorian/Edwardian era

   Signature: "Evelyn Barkworth" in subject's hand

   Provenance: Belonged to John Henry Welton, kept in his household

   Chain of Custody: Evelyn Barkworth → John Henry Welton → Betty Harrington → Hazel Trotter → Justin Lowe 

   Significance: Documents Algernon's unmarried sister and her connection to the household

   Condition: Good, period frame

5. PHOTOGRAPH OF HOUSEHOLD STAFF WITH DONKEY

   Description: Group photograph, black and white

   Subject: Multiple household staff members with donkey belonging to Algernon

   Location: Rear of Tranby House

   Period: Early twentieth century

   Provenance: Family collection

   Chain of Custody: Algernon's household → John Henry Welton → Betty Harrington → Hazel Trotter → Justin Lowe

   Significance: Documents household staff and daily life at Tranby House

   Condition: Good

6. PHOTOGRAPH OF HOUSEHOLD STAFF WITH DOG

   Description: Group photograph, black and white

   Subject: Household staff including identified John Henry Welton with Algernon's dog

   Location: Side of Tranby House

   Period: Early twentieth century

   Provenance: Family collection

   Chain of Custody: Algernon's household → John Henry Welton → Betty Harrington → Hazel Trotter → Justin Lowe

   Significance: Documents John Henry Welton in service; identifiable in photograph

   Condition: Good

7. JOHN HENRY WELTON PHOTOGRAPHS (SET OF TWO)

    Description: Two professional studio portrait photographs

    PHOTOGRAPH 1 - Young John Henry Welton Portrait

      Photographer: J. Osbourne, Castle Street, Hull

      Subject: John Henry Welton as a young man, formal three-quarter pose

      Period: Circa 1910s (pre-WWI era, early in his service)

      Format: Cabinet card/postcard format

      Condition: Good, age-appropriate wear and spotting on edges

    PHOTOGRAPH 2 - John Henry Welton with Female Companion

      Subject: John Henry Welton in formal attire with unidentified female companion

      Setting: Professional studio with painted backdrop showing bookshelves

      Period: Circa 1920s (appears to be post-WWI, John wearing boutonniere)

      Format: Mounted photograph on card stock

      Condition: Good, some fading and surface marks     

    Provenance: Family collection, kept by John Henry Welton throughout his life

    Chain of Custody: John Henry Welton → Betty Harrington → Hazel Trotter → Justin Lowe

    Significance: Personal photographs documenting John Henry Welton at different life stages; rare personal items from butler's own collection; provides visual documentation of the man who served Algernon Barkworth for nearly 30 years

    Condition: Both in good condition with period wear appropriate to age

8. BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER WITH HYMNS ANCIENT & MODERN

   Description: Black leather binding with gilt edging

   Publisher: Eyre & Spottiswoode, Printers to His Majesty

   Inscription: "To John From Miss Roper" in Miss Rose Ann Roper's hand

   Period: Late nineteenth/early twentieth century

   Provenance: Gift from Rose Ann Roper (housekeeper at Tranby House) to John Henry Welton

   Chain of Custody: Rose Ann Roper → John Henry Welton → Betty Harrington → Hazel Trotter → Justin Lowe

   Significance: Documents relationship between senior household staff; shows Rose Roper's regard for John

   Condition: Good

ITEMS ACQUIRED FROM AUCTION SITES

9. POSTCARD FROM MISS ROSE ROPER

   Description: Real photographic postcard

   Subject: Tranby House exterior

   Addressed to: Miss Bell, The Woodlands, Beverley

   Sender: Rose Roper (housekeeper at Tranby House)

   Postmark: Hessle 1906

   Period: Edwardian era

   Significance: Correspondence from housekeeper documenting Tranby House; establishes Rose Roper's role

   Condition: Good, period postal markings

10. POSTCARD FROM FANNY ROPER

   Description: Real photographic postcard of Tranby House (double-sided)

   Front: View of Tranby House exterior

   Reverse: Alternative view of Tranby House

   Sender: Fanny Roper (sister of Rose Roper, guest at Tranby House)

   Postmark: Hessle, NO 26 06 (November 26, 1906)

   Sent from: Tranby House

   Addressed to (Front): Miss Bell, The Woodlands, Beverley

   Message (Front): "Best wishes for Xmas & New Year from Fanny Roper. How are you? I am still at Tranby House enjoying a very nice time..."

   Addressed to (Reverse): Mrs Butcher, Nettleham, Lincolnshire

   Period: 1906

   Significance: Documents Fanny's visit to Tranby House as guest; shows household's social connections; two different views of the house from the same postcard

   Condition: Good

11. POSTCARD FROM CATHERINE HESTER BARKWORTH

    Description: Real photographic postcard

    Subject: Sunny Bank, Withernsea

    Addressed to: A.H. Barkworth Esq., Piddletrenthide, Dorset

    Sender: Catherine Hester Barkworth (Algernon's mother)

    Postmark: August 2 1908

    Message: "We are alright, I will write tomorrow. Wind persistently northwest but not one sea breeze. With best love to all CHB"

    Significance: Rare surviving example of Catherine's correspondence; tangible proof of Algernon's residence at Piddletrenthide; poignant connection to family life before Titanic disaster

    Condition: Good, period postal markings

ITEMS GIVEN AS GIFTS

12. "ALGY: THE PRIVILEGED LIFE OF TITANIC SURVIVOR ALGERNON BARKWORTH"

    Author: Bruno Piola

    Inscription: Personally dedicated to Justin Lowe with handwritten note stating "you were the most important person who helped me"

    Period: Modern publication

    Provenance: Gift from author to Justin Lowe for research collaboration from Bruno Piola

    Significance: Documents collaboration between collection custodian and Titanic historian; acknowledges Justin's contribution to Barkworth scholarship

    Condition: Excellent

13. PRINTED ARTICLE BY OLIVE THORNLEY

    Title: "Time as Housemaid at Tranby House"

    Author: Olive Thornley (former housemaid)

    Content: First-hand account of household life mentioning John Henry Welton and Miss Rose Roper by name; descriptions of house and servants

    Provenance: Given to Justin Lowe by Betty Harrington (John Henry's daughter)

    Significance: Contemporary documentation from household staff perspective; corroborates other collection items

    Condition: Good, printed document

SUMMARY

Total Number of Items: 13 (includes set of 2 JHW photographs counted as 1 item)

Items Handed Down Through Family: 8

Items Acquired from Auction Sites: 3

Items Given as Gifts: 2

Collection Provenance Chain: Algernon Henry Barkworth / Tranby House Household (1912-1940s) → John Henry Welton → Betty Harrington → Hazel Trotter → Justin Lowe

This inventory serves as documentation for insurance purposes, museum loan consideration, and historical research.