Manuscript description

[Elizabeth Richardson's daughter (Hand D) has signed the front pastedown: "Eliza: Cornwalleies Boocke". There are also three notes in pencil: " "Lo.sa.c"" (perhaps a code for a price), ""Ashburnham 1861 not in Catalogue" " (for a discussion of this see provenance below), and " "Ashburnham"".]

1635. A Remembrance for my four Daughters./ Elizabeth. Frances. Anne. and Katherine. This to my most dear, and entirely beloved daughter, as she well deserveth. Elizabeth Ashbornham. From your affectionate mother. E.A: with my blessing, and prayers, for your present, and future happiness. Which for my sake, accept, esteem, and employ, though in it self unworthy. Peruse, Ponder, and Practise./ Sweet Besse, (as you love me) keep this, though you lost the first. Eliza: Cramond 1635./

[This entire title is in Richardson's hand, though the first '1635' and the names of her four daughters have been written in later ink. Underneath this in a different hand (Hand E) is the following, ""and came from London the 21 of March went to Brom the 25 of March came from Brom the 2 day of April"". This must refer to Brome, Suffolk, where Richardson's daughter Elizabeth's husband Sir Frederick Cornwallis had his main estate.]

[Fol. 1v is blank.]

Dedicatory epistle to her four daughters

From Chelsea in August. 1626. A letter to my four Daughters. Elizabeth, Frances, Anne, and Katherine Ashbornhame.

My dear children I have long and much grieved for your misfortunes, and want of preferments in the world: but now I have learned in what estate soever I am therewith to be content: and account these vile and transitory things to be but vain and loss, so I may win Christ the fountain of all bliss

...

That your whole spirit, souls, and bodies may be kept blameless, until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, which shall be the endless joy of your most loving mother.

Elizabeth Ashbornham.

[The following postscript is right up against the left margin: " "Composed at Chelsea, in September 1625: to spend away some of our melancholy time there; where the danger of death enclosed us round about, wherein (my sweet child) accept the love, and care of a mother, who wisheth all grace, meekness, and patience, may possess your soul, to make you good in life, and happy in death. Which the daily use of this, I hope will help to effect; and further your salvation, to the comfort of your affectionate mother. E.A."" The epistle contains a few marginal biblical references near the end.]

[This epistle is written by Hand B, though Richardson has signed her name in full at the end of the letter, and she has written her initials following the postscript.]

1. A preface or inducement to prayer./

The great God, and Lord of heaven, and earth, whose we are, and who we only ought to serve

...

and cease not, to call often, as David 7 times a day upon the holy name of the Lord, by whom we shall be saved.

[In this meditation, unlike the prayers, there are a number of marginal biblical references. Beside the first lines is written Acts 17.24.27 and beside the final lines is written Psalm 119.104 and Romans 10.13. The meditations and prayers of msItems 4-15 are written by Hand C and edited by Hand A, Elizabeth Richardson.]

2. A preparation to prayer.

(O, everlasting) fountain of all goodness, and wellspring of grace, without whose especial assistance, we are altogether unapt

...

and after death, I may enjoy the felicity, to live with thee (my Lord) forever more through the merits, and passion, of my only saviour. Jesus Christ; so be it.

4. For the sabbath day before you go to the church

O eternal God, most high creator, preserver, and disposer of all things, to thee is due, all praise, honour, and worship

...

be acceptable unto thee. through the merits, of thy dear son, and my only saviour, in whom you art ever well pleased. Amen.

[The pagination in the manuscript is 9, 10, 10, 12. See foliation below for an explanation.]

7. A confession of sins with prayer for remission, taken partly out of the prayer of Manasses

(Almighty God) of our fathers, who hast made heaven, and earth, with all the ornaments thereof; who hast bound the sea, by the word of thy commandments

...

and let the heavens, and the earth praise thy eternal majesty for thine is the glory, for ever, and ever.

Amen: Amen:

[These pages are paginated 12-15.]

5. A private morning prayer./

Eternal God, and my most loving father, in all humility of soul, and unfeigned acknowledment of my bounded duty, I humbly present my sinful self

...

and some further assurance unto my self of thy favour, and my eternal salvation through Jesus Christ my redeemer

Amen. Amen:

[These pages are paginated 16-20.]

6. A prayer for the afternoon or night./

Most gracious God and my most merciful father, in Jesus Christ, how exceedingly are we wretched creatures, bound unto thy excellent majesty

...

and mediation in his name, and in the words, which Christ hath taught us saying. Our father etc.

[These pages are paginated 20-23.]

8. A prayer before the receiving of the sacrament of the Lord's supper.

O, most sweet saviour (Jesus Christ,) and my dear Lord, who art, the author, and finisher of my faith, redemption, and salvation

...

who art able, to do abundantly, above all, that I can ask, or think. to thee be all honour, power and praise, forever more.

Amen.

[These pages are paginated 23-26.]

9. A meditation or direction when you are to receive the communion.

When you comest to communicate, and receive the blessed sacrament of the Lord's supper; first banish all vain, and earthly thoughts

...

to redeem us, such vile and miserable sinners, which mercy we are never able sufficiently to acknowledge and admire,

Amen

[In this meditation, unlike the prayers, there are a number of marginal references, usually biblical. Beside the first lines is written ""Devotio Coll: 3:2:"" and beside the final lines is written ""1 Peter 4"" and " "thankfullnes""]

[These pages are paginated 27-28.]

10. A thanksgiving after the receiving of the holy sacrament of the Lord's supper

O ever blessed, and praised, be the name of the Lord my God, who hath done great and many things for me,

...

I thy poor servant, may obtain a blessed room, in thy kingdom of glory, there everlasting to praise thy holy name.

Amen. Amen.

[This page is paginated 29.]

3. When you awake in the morning from sleep.

O sweet Lord that hast awaked me in health, and safety, to this present light, I humbly praise thy holy name

...

and the furtherance of my own salvation, through my blessed saviour Christ Jesus. and

[These pages are paginated 29-30.]

11. The conclusion./

O God the father, bless, save, and govern me, in all things; O Lord the son, direct, guide and protect me at all times

...

that you, pardoning my sins, mayst receive me to mercy, and I may live with thee for evermore.

Amen. So be it.

[Folio 19v is paginated 30.]

12. At night. being in Bedd.

O Lord give me thy servant, quiet rest this night, And grant (O God) when I shall enter into my long sleep of death

...

I may live with thee, and praise thy holy name for ever, and ever

Amen. Amen.

[Fols 20r-29v are blank.]

A promisory note for 100 pounds

July the 15th, 1766

I promise to pay to Mr Richard Westmacott the sum of one hundred pounds on the fifteenth day of July one thousand seven hundred and seventy one

...

and upon delivery of the aforesaid indenture this obligation to be sold. John Walsh [witnessed by] Richard Bower and James Jinnold

[This account is on fol. 30r, a cropped leaf. At the top of fol. 30v the following is visible, ""I Promise..."", the first two words of the above account. On folio 31r is another attempt, reading ""I promise to pay to Mr Richard"". James Walsh (Hand F) seems to have practised writing this indenture (relating to a five-year loan; see the two dates) several times, using this manuscript as a source for blank paper.]

[Fols 31v-35v are blank.]

[One note in pencil, "æmf", which may be another coded price.]