IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0096 AL322
Held at: Senate House Library, University of London
Title: Newton, John: letter (1780)
Date(s): 1780
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 2 leaves
Name of creator(s): Newton | John | 1725-1807 | clergyman and poet
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
John Newton was born in Wapping, London, in 1725. He was the son of a master mariner and went to sea aged 11. As a young sailor he was heavily involved in the slave trade, something he regretted in later life. From 1748-1749 onwards Newton was deeply religious in the evangelical Christian tradition. He was ordained in the Church of England in 1764 and was curate-in-charge at Olney, Buckinghamshire, for 16 years until he was given the benefice of St Mary Woolnoth, City of London, in 1780. Newton also wrote religious poetry and was close friends with the poet William Cowper. His prose works include a memoir detailing his early life as a slave trader, as well as published collections of his letters and sermons.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Letter from John Newton of Charles Square, Hoxton, [London] to Rev Mr Charles of Milborne Port, Somerset, 21 Nov 1780. Commenting approvingly on Charles's forthcoming marriage: '... there is something in domestic life that seems suited to improve our meetness for speaking to our people ... I am told you want a curacy'; he suggests acting as supply for Mr [John] Berridge at Everton, [Bedfordshire], with travelling expenses and a fee of £20. Mentioning his recent transfer from Olney, [Buckinghamshire], to [St Mary Woolnoth], London: at Sunday evening services, the church is 'as full as an egg ... My letters in 2 vols. will be out before Christmas ...'. Autograph, with signature.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
See hard copy catalogue
Conditions governing access:
Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the supervised environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Please contact the University Archivist for details. 24 hours notice is required for research visits.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.
Physical characteristics:
Finding aids:
Typescript catalogue available in the Library's Palaeography Room.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
See archivist
Immediate source of acquisition:
Found enclosed in Newton's Cardiphonia (1844 edition) - classmark: G8.94.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Presumably, Miss Treadwell retained the original letters after relinquishing these copies; the current whereabouts of the original letters is unknown.
Related material:
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Archivist's note: Compiled by Anya Turner.
Date(s) of descriptions: July 2008