This manuscript account book records expenditure during the course of the building of the Newgate prison in Bristol. A special levy of sixpence was imposed on Bristol householders to cover the cost of the building works. The monies collected from different parishes are recorded here, together with details of loans from different private citizens. The volume includes a record of individually itemized expenditure on all manner of building materials including lime, timber, marble and nails, as well as lists of artisans and laborers, among them lime burners, masons, plumbers, carvers and others. The volume contains 18 pages of text with a few blank pages; it is bound in a fragile paper wrapper. Additionally, there is an undated leaf (2 pages of text) of related notes and calculations laid into the volume. The volume is written in two directions with the text beginning at one cover then turned over and beginning again (tête-bêche style). HM 81171. The Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
