Newton, John: letter (1780)

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0096 AL322
Held at	: Senate House Library, University of London   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.senatehouselibrary.ac.uk/our-collections ›
Full title	: Newton, John: letter (1780)
Date(s)	: 1780
Level of description	: fonds
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 & 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.

Finding aids:

Typescript catalogue available in the Library's Palaeography Room.

Archival Information

Archival history:

See archivist

Immediate source of acquisition:

Found enclosed in Newton's Cardiphonia (1844 edition) - classmark: G8.94.

Allied Materials

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Anya Turner.

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
July 2008