MS 5/10 - MS 5/38 Manuscripts relating to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight collections of Sir William Cope (1812-92), twelfth Baronet, of Bramshill, Hampshire, were bequeathed to the Hartley Institution in 1892. The manuscripts listed here fall into several categories:

• MS 5/1 - MS 5/5 - papers relating to the administration of Cope's library
• MS 5/6 - MS 5/9 - Cope family papers
• MS 5/10 - MS 5/38 - manuscripts relating to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 
• MS 5/39 - MS 5/42 - poll books and election material

Date range:

c. 1655-1889

---

MS 5/10 Bible (London, 1655), belonging to Gilbert White and bound in the skin of Dash, a favourite spaniel of his mother, Anne; with some manuscript notes

Former References:

AO296

---

MS 5/11 Notes towards a history of the Reformation, c.1710-30

A guard book, prepared c. 1817, containing an antiquary's extracts and notes, probably taken with a view to writing a history of the Reformation during the 1710s and 1720s, with passages taken from the Winchester episcopal registers and the Cottonian manuscripts, mainly relating to religious houses. Other sources include the records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Balliol College Library, the Duke of Norfolk's library and the parliament rolls in the Tower of London. Early eighteenth century (with one reference to 1725).

Former References:

AO198

---

MS 5/12 Register of free scholars appointed or substituted for the free school at Rotherwick, 1712-1805: a manuscript volume of paper leaves bound in a parchment cover, entitled `The book of assignment', `A true and perfect account of the free scholars appointed to be taught to write and read in the free schoole of Rotherwick. Given by Frederick Tylney Esquire and opened or began on the 7th day of January 1711/12. Taught by Richard Waller.'

Frederick Tylney (d. 1725), the lord of one of the manors of Rotherwick, built the school and endowed it with 10 pounds p.a., nominating seventeen children (subsequently twenty), to be free scholars. The nominations were made by the lord of the manor and the curate.

Former References:

AO231

---

MS 5/13 Letter from Thomas Hasleden, Royal Academy [Portsmouth], about calendars, 27 Feb 1746/7

Former References:

AO241

---

MS 5/14 Printed sale catalogue, entitled A catalogue of all the household goods, &c. of Wm. Mackennan, Esq. ..... which will be sold at auction by Mr Lejeune on Tuesday the 21st of September, 1773, and the following days  ..... (Southampton, 1773), with extensive manuscript annotations of prices and purchasers

Former References:

AO250

---

MS 5/15 Thomas Gatehouse's manuscript history of Hampshire, 1778

Thomas Gatehouse's manuscript history of Hampshire, entitled `Hampshire or a short survey of the county of Southampton consisting of a description of the city of Winchester, boroughs, market-towns & hundreds in the said county with their respective distances from London. Also, of the foundations, endowments, & original state of the monasteries (of which there are now any remains) the cathedral, college, king's palace, and other public structures, with some account of their benefactions. Also, of the noblemen and gentlemen's seats (situated near any of the market- towns), and their present possessors. Likewise, a table shewing at sight, the distances of market-towns and other noted places, not only from one another, but also from London. With many remarkable anecdotes from the best authorities, and other particulars, worthy of notice. December 31 1778.' One volume, probably rebound in the 1950s, dedicated to James, Duke of Chandos.

This is the earliest county history of Hampshire recorded. The work, largely a compilation from printed sources but containing some original materials, is by Thomas Gatehouse, who is probably to be identified with the occupant of Compton House, Bossington, near Romsey (p. 193 of the MS). Little is known of him save that he occupied Compton House until about 1791 (W.Tunnicliff, A topographical survey of the counties of Hants, Wilts, etc.(Salisbury, 1791) p. 19. Another copy of this manuscript was in existence at the time of the compilation of the Hampshire volumes of the Victoria History in the early 1900s and was then in the possession of Lord Swaythling. MS 5/15 was bought by Lord Brabourne on 3 May 1886 from the library of Leonard Hartley and was subsequently acquired by Sir William Cope and formed part of the bequest to the Hartley Institution. The history concludes with a ghost story, `The Wallop latch', which circulated more widely in manuscript (e.g. BL Tab. 436. b. 1. (37), Elizabeth Gatehouse and others, `The Wallop latch [An account of alleged supernatural phenomena, attested by E.G. and others] For the amusement of the wit or the sceptic').

Former References:

AO202

---

MS 5/16 Manuscript list of `bishops, deans and prebendaries of Winchester continued from Mr Gale', covering the years 1715-66: n.d. late eighteenth or early nineteenth century

Former References:

AO246

---

MS 5/17 Portsmouth and Sheet Turnpike Commissioners' minute book, Nov 1780 - 13 Apr 1782: a contemporary copy, written by a single hand, in one operation, in a gathering of 32 paper folios.

Portsmouth and Sheet Turnpike Commissioners' Minute 1711-1754 ed. W.Albert and P.D.A.Harvey (Porstmouth Record Series 2; 1973) p. xxxv implies that the edited volume is the only survivor. There is also some material at Magdalen College, Oxford, connected with Edward Gibbon: Magdalen College, Oxford, MS 360: 28 accounts and receipts 1759-65, part of lot 439 purchased at Sotheby's sale of 12 December 1922 by R.T.Gunther (Edward Gibbon was treasurer of the trust).

Former References:

AO286

---

MS 5/18 Printed sale catalogue for the manor of Sherfield English, Hants, manor of Ditchford Friary, Warws., and Well House freehold, Berks. (between Reading and Blackwater), to be sold at auction by Mr Skinner and Co., 16 May 1783; with the manuscript opinion of counsel (Charles Bullar, of Lincoln's Inn) on the status of Well House Farm.

Former References:

AO314

---

MS 5/19 Order from the constables of Southampton to the churchwardens and overseers of the poor of that part of the parish of South Stoneham within which is situated the tithing of Portswood to raise 18 [pounds] as its portion of the general county rate, 17 Jul 1790

Former References:

AO282

---

MS 5/20 A manuscript volume containing the `Proceedings upon the arbitrary removal or superseding of Mr James Randall, steward of the hospital of St Cross, Winchester, by Dr Lockman, the master, with the decree of the visitor, Brownlow North, Bishop of Winchester, and Sir William Scott's opinion on the case, 1790-1791': n.d. late eighteenth or early nineteenth century

Former References:

AO210

---

MS 5/21 Small manuscript volume with paper covers, entitled `Inscriptions in Winchfield church, Hants': n.d. early to mid-nineteenth century

Former References:

AO220

---

MS 5/22 The Southampton guide: being a description of the ancient and present state of that town and neighbourhood (17th edition, T.Skelton, Southampton, 1802): an interleaved copy, with many manuscript notes, the first of which reads `The MSS alterations in and additions to this edition are inserted in the following edition (viz.) the 18th''

Printed books 52-268238 is a copy of the revised, eighteenth edition.

Former References:

Printed books 59-938642 and A593

---

MS 5/23 A manuscript volume of poetry by Mrs Anne Lefroy (d. 1804), nee Brydges, wife of George Lefroy of Ashe, Hants, entitled `Amicitiae in memoria. Poems on several occasions (the majority written in the early part of life) by Mrs Lefroy of Ashe in the county of Southampton ..... transcribed 1806'.

 The poems were transcribed by Mrs Lefroy's son, Christopher Edward Lefroy, and the contents of the volume are substantially the same as that edited by him as Carmina domestica; or poems on several occasions ..... by Mrs Lefroy (London, 1812). Another manuscript version of the poems, again compiled by C.E.Lefroy, probably c.1805, survives in private hands (David Gilson, `Jane Austen's verses', The book collector  33 (1984) p. 27).

Former References:

AO319

---

MS 5/24 Manuscript verses, entitled `Occasional address on the opening of the Theatre Royal, Portsmouth', 12 Feb 18[18?]. Endorsed by Sir William Cope: `Original ms. by Henry Slight of Portsmouth'.

Former References:

AO242

---

MS 5/25 Notes by Sir John Oglander towards a history of the Isle of Wight, 1617-32, copied c. 1821

A volume of paper leaves, containing a transcript, made c. 1821, of three manuscript volumes by Sir John Oglander, written between 1617 and 1632, containing notes towards a history of the Isle of Wight. The volume contains a topographical survey and brief lives of prominent islanders, together with extracts from records and notes on customs and contemporary events, and an engraving of Sir John Oglander, April 1781. It was itself copied from a version of Oglander's manuscript made in 1794. W.H.Long The Oglander memoirs. Extracts from the manuscripts of Sir John Oglander (London, 1888), was printed from this manuscript, which is in turn but a portion of Oglander's journal (A royalist's notebook. The commonplace book of Sir J.Oglander ed. F.Bamford (London, 1936) pp. xi-xiii).

Former References:

AO146

---

MS 5/26 `Poetical blossoms by John Henry Todd of Winchester': a manuscript volume of poetry, 1825, dedicated to the Duchess of Buckingham, with one letter inserted

Former References:

AO209

---

MS 5/27 A manuscript volume, in the hand of J.P.Jones, labelled `Plants of Hampshire', c. 1830 

The first page is entitled `A catalogue of plants growing wild near Andover, and other parts of the county of Hants'. Jones has added the note `This list was drawn up by the Honorable and Revd William Annesley AM, who resided at Ramridge near Andover, where he died November 1st 1830 aet. 35. Mr A. was a good botanist and accurate observer, and his habitats may be depended on. Where no particular locality is given, the habitat must be considered as being near Andover.'

Former References:

AO290

---

MS 5/28 `Account of Basing Castle and manor formerly belonging to the ancient family of De Port': a small paper pamphlet, in manuscript, by J.R.B., 16 Sep 1833

Former References:

AO313

---

MS 5/29 Cuttings made by Sir William Cope from printed works, largely of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, relating to Bishops of Winchester; kept together by Cope under the shelfmark Pass. E. iv. 57, `Fragments relating to the Bishops of Winchester'

Former References:

A167

---

MS 5/30 Manuscript notes, pamphlets, sermons and cuttings from printed works, largely of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, relating to Bishops of Winchester; kept together by Sir William Cope at Bramshill under the shelfmark Pass. E. iii. 34, together with other notes by Cope and further material on Hampshire, including an extract from a survey of Eversley parish (trees and timber at Bramshill), a letter from Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Winchester, to Cope, 30 June 1880, and an account of Hampshire rents received by Mr Lampard for the receiver for the year 1854

Former References:

AO284

---

MS 5/31 Manuscript volume containing a copy of the charter of Charles I to Portsmouth, 17 November 1627: copy, mid-nineteenth century

Former References:

AO207

---

MS 5/32 A volume containing a long poem, in manuscript: `Elizabeth the fair prisoner of Carisbrook', mid-nineteenth century

Former References:

AO205

---

MS 5/33 Manuscript notes on organs in Hampshire, mid-nineteenth century (post 1840)

Former References:

AO222

---

MS 5/34 A single sheet (headed paper for Swalcliffe Park, Banbury) containing a manuscript verse, the `Tichborne Alphabet', n.d. mid-late nineteenth century

Former References:

AO308

---

MS 5/35 Draft minutes taken at the foundation meeting of the Hampshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, 1866

Former References:

AO272

---

MS 5/36 A volume of photographs of Southampton, with some of its environs, and of Oxford and Cambridge, mainly c. 1872, but with one of Southampton (of the site of the Hartley Institution), 1859

Former References:

AO239

---

MS 5/37 A manuscript volume containing `Memoranda extracted and copied from the memoranda by Lady Heathcote on the sepulchral urns found at Cranbury Common in 1882', late nineteenth century

Former References:

AO249

---

MS 5/38 Lithographed letter from Sir Charles W.Wilson appealing for funds to build headquarters for the Southampton Gordon Boys Brigade, 24 May 1889