The papers of Admiral Pell consist of his diaries, 1824 to 1863, and his official, semi-official and private correspondence from 1809 onwards. This includes a number of letters from Admiral Sir George Cockburn (q.v.), 1834 to 1851, and from the Spencer family, 1827 to 1856. There are extracts from logs, notes and drafts for a biography begun by his daughter Sarah Maria Maude (1848-1935), some account books and some items relating to Greenwich Hospital. There are also a few letters, diaries and account books of his wife, Lady Pell, and a few diaries and papers of Lieutenant Edwin Pell, 24th Regiment, dating mainly from 1809 to 1812 when he was serving in the Peninsular War.

Administrative / biographical background
Pell entered the Navy in 1799 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1806. In 1800 during the capture of the French frigate Pallas near the Seven Islands he was badly injured and his left leg was amputated but this disability does not appear to have inhibited his naval career. After serving in various ships on the home and West Indian stations, he was promoted on 11 Nov. 1806 to be lieutenant of the MeHe then served in the Mercury on the Newfoundland and Mediterranean Stations until 1809. He was promoted to commander in 1810 into the Thunder at Cadiz. He was promoted to captain in 1813 and given command of the Menai on the North American Station until 1816. After a period on half-pay, Pell was appointed Commodore in command of the Jamaica Division of the North America and West Indies Station, 1833 to 1837. He commanded the Howe in the Mediterranean, 1840 to 1841, and was Superintendent of Pembroke Dockyard, 1842 to 1845. From 1846 to 1863 he was a Commissioner of Greenwich Hospital. Pell was knighted in 1837 and promoted to rear-admiral in 1848, vice-admiral in 1855 and admiral in 1861.