A commonplace book of Mary Cowgill containing mainly notes on astronomical, medical and natural history topics

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 206 MS 500
  • Dates of Creation
      ca.1801-1850
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
      English
  • Physical Description
      1 vol. (90 ff.) In a wallet-type binding with flap and pockets at each end; monogram "M.C." on clasp. Ownership inferred from monogram and family notes on ff. 45-46v

Scope and Content

Contents include: (1) a plan of York Minster (f.33) and local topographical notes on Malham Cove, Whernside, Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent and Pendle Hill (ff.40v-41); (2) financial accounts dated 1838 on ff.89v-90; miscellaneous addresses on f.90v and end fly-leaf; ff.10, 13r, 16r, 17v-20r, 28v, 31, 32r, 33v-36v, 42v-44v, and 47r-89r are all blank; (3) front pocket contains 14 ff., loose, including (i) catalogue of books belonging to Mary Cowgill, (ii) statement of her brother's account with her, 1813-1818 (water-mark, 1823), (iii) call for payment of share subscription from Brampton Gas and Coke Co., 1836, and (iv) a promisory note, 1837; (4) end pocket contains 10 ff., loose, including (i) note of Poor Rate, 1836/7, (ii) notes on sights of York, (iii) an account dated 1839, and (iv) an account with Mrs Moses, 1836/8

Administrative / Biographical History

Mary Cowgill, born in 1779 and christened at Thornton in Craven in 1780, was the daughter of Joseph Cowgill (1727-1793), and his wife Martha Whitaker. They were married in 1776 and Martha died at Carlisle in 1814. Mary's elder brother, Joseph, was born in 1777 and there were two younger sisters, Martha and Elizabeth. The Cowgill family had lived in Thornton in Craven (which is a parish and town in the liberty of Staincliffe, near Skipton) for several centuries

Access Information

Access is unrestricted

Acquisition Information

The gift of Miss Ida Thomsom, July 1958

Note

In English

Personal Names