Guide to the Thomas Evans diary of travel in England and Wales, 1755-1759 and undated
Abstract
Thomas Evans was rector of Severn Stoke beginning in 1775; Archdeacon of Worcester, 1787-1815. Doctor of Divinity, 1764.
Collection comprises a one-volume manuscript diary (131 pgs.) maintained by Evans during 15 journeys, probably begun while he served as a companion or tutor to George Harry Grey, later the 5th Earl of Stamford.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Evans, Thomas, Rev., 1731-1815.
- Title
- Thomas Evans diary of travel in England and Wales, 1755-1759 and undated
- Language of Materials
- English
- Extent
- 1 v. (0.1 lin. ft.)
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
Collection comprises a one-volume manuscript diary (131 pgs.) maintained by Evans during 15 journeys, probably begun while he served as a companion or tutor to George Harry Grey, later the 5th Earl of Stamford. For each journey, Evans provided a list of destinations, the number of miles between each, the total mileage for excursions, and occasionally the duration of each stage of the trip. This limited description serves as the only information provided for six of the journeys. For the remaining nine, Evans provided extensive description of towns and the county seats of noblemen (and their homes, with particular details regarding local architecture, furniture, paintings, and gardens), although Wales received less attention in this regard. Many of the trips began and ended at Enville in Staffordshire or Dunham (Massey) in Cheshire, both seats of the Grey family. Destinations included Brighthelmston, Salisbury, Shaftesbury, Canterbury, Glynnllifon, Cambridge, and Dunham, among many others. An undated, but clearly later, image of Evans was inserted into the front of the volume as a frontispiece. At some point, the volume suffered exposure to water, followed perhaps by mold, which caused slight damage to the text, especially in the front of the piece, along with some fading of the ink at other points. However, overall the writing remains quite legible.
Administrative Information
A majority of collections are stored off site and must be requested at least 24 business hours in advance for retrieval. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Historical Note
Thomas Evans was rector of Severn Stoke beginning in 1775; Archdeacon of Worcester, 1787-1815. Doctor of Divinity, 1764.
Subject Headings
- Diaries--Travel.
- Country homes--England.
- Manors--England.
- Nobility--Dwellings--England.
- Architecture, Domestic--England.
- Gardens--England.
- Evans, Thomas, Rev., 1731-1815.
- William B. Hamilton Collection of British Manuscripts.
- England--Description and travel--Early works to 1800.
- Wales--Description and travel--Early works to 1800.
- Diaries.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], in the Thomas Evans diary of travel in England and Wales, 1755-1759 and undated, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
Purchase, 1999
Processing Information
Processed by: Alice Poffinberger, November 2010
Encoded by: Alice Poffinberger, July 2011
Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 1999-0279
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
