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May 2008: we have just added new handlists to some of Chetham's archival collections.
Searchable version of the Handlist of Manuscripts
The Library has collected manuscripts and archives since the 1650s. Originally the Library restricted its acquisitions to works of national importance and built up an impressive collection of medieval manuscripts. By the end of the eighteenth century, however, Chetham's was increasingly seen as a repository for local records, indeed the only proper repository for public papers in the region. In the nineteenth century, as the Library narrowed its subject coverage from the whole range of knowledge to history and topography, the collection and study of documents concerning the history of the north west took on greater significance. Many of the local manuscripts and archival holdings came to Chetham's in the second half of the nineteenth century, often through members of local historical societies, particularly the Chetham Society.
The Library holds over 1,000 volumes of manuscripts and tens of thousands of original and secondary documents. The overwhelming majority of material is of local interest, and is concerned primarily with the area now represented by the County of Greater Manchester. Particular strengths are Manchester, Salford and the area north of Manchester - Rochdale and neighbouring towns. To a large extent, the Library's holdings are less strong for areas outside the immediate region: for the north and west of Lancashire and much of Cheshire the Library is relatively weak in comparison with other libraries and record offices.
For readers who wish to consult manuscripts and archives the starting point is currently the Handlist of Manuscripts. More detailed handlists of a large number of collections are available within the Library on request. As part of its cataloguing project, the Library will replace these finding aids with a new catalogue of the archival and manuscript collections. Until this can be brought about, readers are asked to employ the introduction on this page together with the HTML version of the Handlist to be found here.
In addition to the Handlist of Manuscripts, descriptions of Chetham's holdings can be found in volumes 2, 3, 4 & 6 of the Library's printed catalogue and in the Bulletin of the Institute of Historical Research, 10 (1932-3), pp.67-72.
General surveys of the local collections include: Hilda Lofthouse, `Chetham's Library', in Rich Inheritance: a Guide to the History of Manchester, edited by N.J. Frangopulo (Manchester, l963), pp. 246-254; Michael Powell, `Chetham's Library', Manchester Region History Review, vol. 2, no. 2 (l988/9), pp. 25-31; Michael Powell, `Chetham's Library, Manchester', The Local Historian, 20, no. 1 (1990), pp. 31-36.
Chetham's Library holds 41 medieval manuscripts, which are listed by N.R. Ker in Medieval Manuscripts in British Libraries Volume III (Oxford, 1983), pp. 335-384. The following list provides a summary of these manuscripts. They are arranged according to the numbers they were given in Bibliotheca Chethamensis, the printed catalogue of the Library's holdings (see volumes 2, 1791, 3, 1826, 4, 1862 and 6, 1883). The current call number is given in brackets. A number of the medieval manuscripts are also detailed in G.A. Lester, The Index of Middle English Prose, Handlist II (Cambridge, 1985), pp. 76-99.
The following guide to the archival holdings is not a substitute for the finding aids available in the Library. Given the size of the collection, it is necessarily selective and is intended simply to draw attention to the range of material that the Library holds, and to highlight individual works and collections that may be of interest to historians. If you would like assistance with manuscript queries, please contact us.
The call number for each volume or collection is given in brackets at the end of the description. Please note that it is useful to cite this reference, along with the title of the volume or collection, in correspondence with the Archivist or Librarian.
If you wish to undertake research on any material held at Chetham's Library, it is necessary to make an appointment at least 24 hours in advance of your visit.
To make an appointment please telephone 0161 834 7961 or e-mail archivist@chethams.org.uk or librarian@chethams.org.uk. Please note that a letter of reference will be required if you wish to work on medieval manuscript material.
This guide is arranged under the following headings:
6680 (A.4.99) Astrologica, etc. (partly in English). s. xv med. Includes volvelles, tables of years 1348-1475, Sarum calendar, tables of eclipses of sun and moon, prognostications etc.
6681 (A.4.100) De situ universorum, etc. s. xiv ex. Written in England between 1353-1392, probably by John of Tewkesbury.
6682 (A.7.67) Augustinus, etc. s. xiii2. Written in England.
6687 (A.2.162) Franciscus Barbarus, De re uxoria. s. xv med. Written in north-east Italy (possibly Padua).
6688 (A.4.96) Biblia. s. xiii med. Probably written in England.
6689 (A.2.164-5) Biblia. s. xiii med. Two volumes (break after the Psalms). Probably written in France.
6690 (A.7.1) Mirror of life of Christ, etc. (in English). s. xv med. Written in England.
6691 (A.7.2) Petrus de Braco, Compendium iuris canonici. Written in 1466 in France or the Low Countries.
6696 (A.7.38) John Gower, Confessio amantis (in English). s. xv/xvi. Written in England.
6709 (A.4.104) Lydgate, Life of Our Lady, etc. (in English). Written in 1485, 1490, 1493, s. xv ex., at Dunstable in England. In the hand of William Cotson, canon of the Augustinian priory of Dunstable.
6711 (A.4.107) Mandeville's Travels (in English). s. xv1. Written in England.
6712 (A.6.89) Matthew Paris, Flores Historiarum, etc. s. xiii med.-xiv1. Written at the Benedictine abbeys of St. Albans and Westminster.
6713 (E.8.21) Missale Sarisburiense. s. xiv ex. Written in England. Fragments of a large missal. The calendar, the ordinary and canon of the mass are missing, there are only two leaves from the sanctoral present, and the temporal lacks more than twenty leaves.
6714 (A.4.106) Comment. in Ovidii Metamorphoses. s. xv2 (possibly written in 1470). Written in France.
6717 (A.6.74) Psalterium, Horae (Sarum), etc. s. xv med. Written in England. A gift of John Gyste for the use of St. John the Baptist's monastery in Godstow.
6720 (A.6.59) Terentius. Written in Italy in 1427.
6721 (A.4.109) Terentius. s. xv/xvi. Possibly written in Germany.
6722 (A.4.92) P. Cantor, Verbum abbreviatum. s. xiii in. Written in England.
6723 (A.2.160) New Testament (in English). s. xv in. The New Testament in the later Wycliffite version, written in England.
8001 (A.4.94) Aristotle, Ethica. s. xv med. Leonardo Bruni's translation, written in Italy (Florence).
8002 (A.4.90) Aeschines, Leonardo Bruni interprete. s. xv. med. Written in Italy.
8003 (A.4.102) Iacobus de Cessolis, etc. s. xv2. Written in England.
8005 (A.6.88) Justinus, Epitoma in Trogum Pompeium. s. xv2. Written in Italy.
8007 (A.2.161) Horae. s. xv2. Written in France for female use in the diocese of Besançon. Partly in French.
8008 (A.4.103) Prick of Conscience (in English). s. xiv ex. Possibly written in Ireland.
8009 (A.6.31) Ipomadon, etc. s. xv2. 13 pieces in prose and verse in English. Written in England, possibly London.
8023 (A.6.96) Medica. s. xiii ex.-xiv med. Probably written in France.
11362 (A.6.91) Poems of Alain Chartier, etc. (in French). s. xv med. Written in France.
11366 (A.4.101) Roger Bacon, Opera medica. s. xv ex. Possibly written in France.
11379 (A.6.90) Ranulph Higden, Polychronicon, etc. (in English). s. xiv/xv. Written in England.
11380 (A.4.91) Medica. s. xiii/xiv. Collection of short medical texts mainly in one hand. Written in France.
27857 (A.3.134) Medica quaedam. s. xv2. Possibly written in Italy.
27894 (A.3.128) Evangelistarium, use of Sarum. s. xv med. Written in England.
27900 (E.8.23) Aulus Gellius. s. xv2 (c. 1472). Written in Florence, for Francesco Sassetti. Rebound for Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary.
27907 (A.3.129) Hymnale, use of Sarum. s. xv2. Written in England, probably for the use of the brothers of Syon.
27911 (A.2.166) Life of Christ (in English). s. xv1. Written in England.
27929 (A.3.131) Coluccio Salutati, Opera. s. xv in.-xv med. Written and decorated in Italy and England.
27938 (A.3.127) Medical recipes (in English). s. xv/xvi. Written in England.
27971 (A.3.132) Horae. s. xv2. Written in France for the use of the diocese of Coutances.
28024 (A.3.130) G. de Vino Salvo, Nova poetria, etc. s. xiv/xv, s. xv1. Written in England.
33667 (A.2.163) Horae (Utrecht). s. xv ex. Written in Holland.
The Library has extensive collections of papers collected and compiled by local antiquarians and historians, many of whom were associated with the Chetham Society. These collections are of value because much of the material that was copied and transcribed by local historians is no longer available elsewhere, or is difficult to locate. In addition, many of the collections contain large amounts of original documents in the form of deeds, letters and financial records. As such, the collections offer a wealth of information on the history of particular townships, parishes and families.
The main collections are as follows:
John Eglington Bailey (1840-1888). Over 42 bundles of transcripts and notes often for Bailey's own publications. Chiefly concerning sixteenth and seventeenth-century Lancashire. Includes copies of the Protestation Returns. Over 300 deeds chiefly of Lancashire and Cheshire C13th-C19th and other original documents re. taxation in C17th. (C.7.9-43).
Thomas Barritt (1743-1820). 16 volumes of manuscripts, chiefly genealogical notes, drawings of coats of arms, memorial inscriptions and people and places in Manchester and Lancashire. Lancashire pedigrees. (A.l.15-16, A.1.25, A.4.70-80, E.8.19-20).
James Frederick Beever (fl.1850). Small miscellaneous collection chiefly relating to the first half Cl9th. Includes printed broadsides. (C.7.46).
John Booker (1820-1895). 3 boxes of miscellaneous notes including transcripts from parish registers and inquisitions. Chiefly grangerised and annotated copies of Booker's publications on the ecclesiastical history of Manchester. (C.7.47-9).
James Crossley (1800-1883). Manuscripts chiefly concerning literature and the book trade. Also miscellaneous notes, correspondence and original documents. (A.7.37, E.3.3-6).
John Harland (1806-1868). Commonplace book, transcripts from printed books and manuscripts, newspaper cuttings etc. (A.6.10).
Richard Kuerden (1623-1690?). 2 volumes of his manuscript collection of material for a proposed history of Lancashire. (C.6.l-3).
John Palmer (1785-l846). 8 volumes of transcripts of local material. Copies of deeds, inquisitions post mortem, pedigrees, parish registers. (C.6.4-11, A.6.1 & A.6.12).
John Heaton Partington (fl. 1900). 10 manuscript histories chiefly of the manors and parishes in the Bolton area. (A.6.105-115).
Joseph James Phelps (1855-1928). Over 20 boxes of miscellaneous notes and correspondence, often for his own publications on the archaeology and early history of Manchester and neighbouring towns. Extensive cuttings and illustrations collection.
John (l788-1854) and George John (1818-1872) Piccope. 22 volumes of transcripts of civil and ecclesiastical documents. Includes copies of wills at Chester, parish registers and Lancashire pedigrees.
Francis Robert Raines (1805-1878). 44 volumes of manuscripts known as the Lancashire Manuscripts. Chiefly transcripts of local material especially from the Rochdale and Manchester areas. Copies of deeds, pedigrees and drawings of local houses (C.6.34-80). Over 200 deeds, chiefly relating to Lancashire and Cheshire C13th-C19th, also other original documents e.g. Muster Rolls (E.4.6-12). Correspondence, especially re. the Chetham Society publications (E.5.3-7).
William Asheton Tonge (1860-1936). Original deeds and papers chiefly relating to the Tonge family (C.7.1-8). Over 40 volumes of transcripts, chiefly extracts from parish registers (D.1-2).
Christopher Towneley (1604-74). 13 volumes of transcripts of local material, chiefly copies, abstracts of deeds, evidences of Lancashire gentry. Index to manuscripts. (D.3.1-12).
William Thompson Watkin (1836-l888). Notes for publications on Roman Lancashire and Roman Cheshire, sketches and correspondence re. the archaeology of the North West. (E.6.2-9).
In addition to the large antiquarian collections, the Library has a number of local histories and small collections:
Richard Hollingworth (1607-1656). Mancuniensis. One of the earliest histories of Manchester compiled by the first rector of Trinity Chapel, Salford. (A.6.51).
John Whitaker (1735-1808). Correspondence and transcripts of his works on the history of Manchester. (A.6.93).
John Collier (1708-1786, alias Tim Bobbin) of Milnrow, Rochdale. MS of More fruit from the same pannier, a work first published in 1773, attacking Whitaker's history. (A.4.38).
John Greswell (c.1800). Collections relating to the towns of Manchester and Salford. (A.6.54).
Thomas Turner Wilkinson (1815-1875). Ancient mansions near Burnley. 3 volumes. (A.4.118).
R.J. Richardson (fl. 1900). Account of old Manchester, pen and ink sketches, cuttings, accounts of local persons and buildings. (A.0.12).
A good deal of information is to be found in the collections of local historians and antiquarians, especially those of J.E. Bailey, F.R. Raines, John Booker and J.H. Partington. Readers are advised to search through the general Handlist of Manuscripts for these collections.
Works on religious history comprise one of the largest categories of manuscripts and the Library holds a wealth of sermons, commonplace books and other papers that were written by local clergymen.
For the early history of the church in the north west, the following works are particularly important :
Papers of John Huntingdon, first Warden of Manchester Collegiate Church, including his will of 1458. (E.3.9).
Bursar's rent roll of the Premonstratensian Abbey of Cockersand, Lancashire for 1501. (A.4.89).
Licence by James Stanley, 7th Warden of Manchester Collegiate Church, authorising services to be held in the James Chapel, 1506. (E.5.8).
Prayers and meditations of John Bradford (1510-1555), Protestant reformer (A.4.84).
Papers of Laurence Vaux Warden of Manchester Collegiate Church (1557-8). (A.6.81).
For the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries see:
William Hinde, The Life of John Bruen (1560-1625) of Stapleford, Cheshire. (A.4.88).
The diary of Henry Newcome (1627-95) of Cross Street Chapel, Manchester. (A.2.140).
Commonplace books of Nathaniel Banne (1671-1736) Rector of St. Anne's, Manchester. (A.6.83-5).
Churchwarden's accounts of St. John's, Deansgate, 1769-1828. (A.1.6).
For the nineteenth century see:
Papers of the Manchester Association for promoting a Reform in the Ecclesiastical Provision for the parish of Manchester, 1847-50. (E.3.12-E.4.l).
Papers of the Manchester Diocesan Church Building Society, (1851-). (A.6.38).
Autobiography of John Clowes, Rector of St. John's Deansgate, 1814-18. (A.3.51-52).
Papers of James Fraser, 2nd Bishop of Manchester. (16 vols.).
E.F. Letts' draft, illustrations and prospectus for a history of the Church of Manchester, c.1850. (A.0.6-7).
Lists of the clergy of the dioceses of Chester and Manchester, 1789-1852. (A.6.44).
Frank Renaud, Contributions towards a history of the ancient parish of Prestbury, c.1876. (A.6.99).
A good deal of material on local writers and books is to be located in some of the larger antiquarian collections, particularly those collected and compiled by James Crossley and John E. Bailey. There are, however, a number of individual works on dialect, and a few examples of local poetry and novels, that are of outstanding importance. In addition, the Library holds a large number of manuscripts, private library catalogues and papers concerning the book trade in the north west.
John Higson, Glossary of the Lancashire dialect (1856). (A.3.126).
Thomas Heywood, On the South Lancashire dialect (c.1860). (A.4.39).
Thomas T. Wilkinson, On the Lancashire dialect especially relating to Blackburn hundred. (A.4.117).
John Collier (alias Tim Bobbin). Collection of manuscript volumes, and correspondence relating to his publications (E.3.6 no. 9): MS of More fruit from the same pannier: or additional remarks on thehistory of Manchester (1773?) (A.4.38); Accounts of book subscriptions and sales, sketches (6 items) (A.4.40); sketch book (A.4.41). Transcripts of Tim Bobbin material also appear in volume IX of Raines' Lancashire Manuscripts.
Also Frederick Madden, Bibliography of Tim Bobbin. (A.4.39)
Mrs. G. Linnaeus Banks, The Manchester Man (c.1875). (A.3.88).
W. Harrison Ainsworth, The Goldsmith's Wife (c.1874). (A.4.18).
Robert Southey, 4 volumes of manuscripts including The Doctor, Catalogue of Southey's Library and Letters of Espriella. (A.4.1-4).
Poems and journals by John Byrom (1691-1763), including original manuscript of Christians Awake. (A.2.8, A.2.167, A.3.73, A.4.122, A.7.63).
Thomas Wilson (1747-1843) of Clitheroe. Collection of poems. (A.4.21).
Elijah Ridings (1802-72). Published and unpublished poems. (A.3.96).
Robert Rose (fl.1841-50) of Manchester. Miscellaneous poems. (A.2.7).
James Crossley of Manchester (1800-83). (A.2.48-53).
John Greswell. (A.2.63).
W. Davis. (A.3.78).
Isaac Reed. (A.4.42).
Charles Lawson. (A.4.63).
Towneley family of Burnley and London. (A.3.137).
Thomas Corser of Stand (1793-1876). (A.6.37).
John Webster of Clitheroe. (A.6.47).
Joseph Jordan, Bygone Manchester booksellers c.1883. (A.1.13).
William Ford (1771-1832) Manchester bookseller. Correspondence from book collectors to W. Ford and catalogues of prints and pictures. (A.4.27, A.6.78-9).
Autobiography and daybook of James Weatherley, Manchester bookseller, (1794-1860). (A.6.30).
Collection of notes catalogued by J.B. Rondeau of Salford on Lancashire books and books printed in Liverpool. (E.5.12).
A true and perfect booke of all rates and taxacons whiche concerne this countye of Lancaster, 1649. (A.7.30).
Book of rates for the county Palatine of Lancaster, compiled by William Crabtree. (A.7.31).
Indenture for the taxing of raising two subsidies on the county of Lancaster, 1628. (E.6.10).
Names of the persons in the Hundred of Salford chargeable for lands and goods to the payment of the first subsidy granted to King James I (1622). (E.6.10).
Papers re. collection of Ship tax for Lancashire in the Humphrey Chetham papers. (A.5).
In the sixteenth century the government made the existing civil parishes and townships responsible for a whole series of civil duties, notably relief of the poor and upkeep of the highways. Responsibility for these new duties was entrusted to overseers of the poor and the surveyors of the highways who worked alongside the existing officers, the churchwardens and constables. Each of these four officers was empowered to levy a rate in order to carry out his duties, and was required to keep accounts of the rate collected and how it was spent. Records of overseers of the poor and of surveyors of the highways are to be found in large numbers in the various county and local record offices in the region. A small number are held by the Library.
Arkholme with Cawood, Lancs. Collection includes Accounts of Constables, Churchwardens, Overseers of the Poor and Surveyors of Highways (1779-1842). (A.1.21).
Ashworth, Lancs. Accounts of Overseers of Poor (1723-45). (A.7.10).
Knutsford, Cheshire. Accounts of Constables and Overseers of the Poor (1669-1778). (A.7.12).
Sutton, Cheshire, Accounts of Surveyors of the Highways (1764-1814) (A.7.13), Overseers of the Poor (1769-1813) (A.7.14-17), Poor house accounts (1797-1818) (A.7.18).
A good deal of material on the early history of the local government and administration of Lancashire and Cheshire is to be found in some of the antiquarian collections. J.E. Bailey's papers, for example, contain many original and secondary sources on seventeenth century Lancashire, and, in particular on the Civil War. Other important manuscripts for this period include:
Records of Urmston Halmot (1613-99). (A.7.3).
R.T. Hampson, Historical collections relating to Lancashire from manuscripts in the British Museum and Public Record Office (c.1830). (A.6.29).
Index to the Journals of the House of Commons relating to Lancashire (1547-1768). (A.4.58).
For the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries see:
Enumerative Census of the town and parish of Manchester (1773-4). (A.4.54-56).
Transcripts made by George Ormerod of material relating to the Royal Manchester Volunteers (1777-78). (A.6.46).
Constitution and minutes of the Committee for preserving constitutional order against Levellers and Republicans (1792-99). (A.6.45).
Papers of the Manchester Pitt Club including lists of members, minute books and accounts (1813-1831). (A.2.79).
Subscriptions for the relief of Special Constables [injured at Peterloo], (1819). (A.2.14).
Papers of the Rev. W.H. Hay, Stipendiary magistrate at Peterloo. Includes over 40 commonplace books and scrapbooks of cuttings and broadsides. (A.0.3-4, A.2.27, A.3.1-46).
Papers of the Manchester Amateur Glee and Catch Club established 1822. Lists of members, rules and volumes of music. (D.4-5).
Papers of the Rosicrucian Society of Manchester, including list of members, rules and minutes of meetings (1852-59). (A.6.18).
Belle Vue Collection. The papers of the Zoological gardens founded by John Jennison in 1836. The collection consists of the Jennison family papers and includes account books, guide-books, diaries, letters, photographs and legal documents concerning the acquisition and development of the site up to its closure in the 1970s. (F.4-F.6.9).
Wages book of Peel, Yates and Peel Burrs Mill, Bury (1800-1802). (A.7.8).
Accounts for the Bridgewater Canal (1791). (A.7.6).
Scrapbooks of letters, cuttings etc. relating to the Manchester Ship Canal (1891-1899). (A.6.118-20).
The Archive of the Booth Charities, Salford (1464-).
Papers of the Hulme Trust, Manchester (1280-1700). (E.3.8-10).
A. Haggas Bryan: historical, legal and biographical notices of the Bleaching, Dyeing and Calico Printing Industry (1930s) l3 vols. (C.7.53 & C.7.56).
Chetham's Hospital. Records from 1653 to the present day include minute books of governors, admission registers and papers concerning staff, finances and administration. (Access to these documents is restricted and readers wishing to consult the records of Chetham's Hospital must first apply in writing to the Librarian).
Nicholls Hospital. Founded in 1881 in Hyde Road, Ardwick as a charity school for poor boys living within a five mile radius of Manchester. Nicholls amalgamated with Chetham's in the 1950s. This collection includes minute books of the governors, account books and letter books.
Chetham's Library houses a considerable number of title deeds. The majority of the deeds held by the Library are concerned with Lancashire and Cheshire and provide a fundamental source for the history of land and local land ownership. The main collections of deeds are as follows:
Raines Collection. Over 300 deeds and other documents relating chiefly to Lancashire and Yorkshire c.1250-1792. (E.4.6-12, E.5.1-2).
Bailey Collection. 300 deeds relating chiefly to Lancashire c.1287-1821. (C.7.9-43).
Agecroft Collection. Deeds relating to the Agecroft estate, Salford, and its owners, the Langley and Dauntsey families, 1402-1894. (F.3.1-11).
Mainprice Collection. Deeds relating chiefly to Lancashire and Cheshire. Includes material on Dukinfield and Salford. (F.1).
Booth Charities. Deeds and other documents concerned with the Salford charities Cl7th-C20th. (Deposited archive).
Hulme Trust. Deeds and other documents concerned with the Manchester based charity C13th- C20th. (Deposited archive). (E.3.8-10).
Chetham Deeds. Deeds concerning the property of Humphrey Chetham, and of the Hospital and Library, in Sutton on the Hill, Derbyshire, Hammerton, Yorkshire and Rochdale. Cl6th-Cl9th. (E.1.6-E.2.5).
Unlike record offices and some academic and public libraries, the Library has not acquired large collections of family papers. However, Chetham's does have a number of individual works, including copies of visitations, diaries and account books, which are concerned with local families. The following are particularly notable:
Papers of the Chesshyre family of Halton, Cheshire (C18th). (E.1.4-5).
Letter books of the Assheton family of Middleton and Whalley (Cl7th). (A.3.90-1).
Pedigree of the Frere family to 1803. (A.4.31).
Papers relating to the Armitage family. (A.0.9).
Survey of lands held in Altrincham and Bowdon by Sir William Meredith (1726). (A.7.21).
History of Bramhall Hall and the Davenport family (E.8.24).
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