Add MS 35171

COLLECTIONS relating to the Isle of Ely and Fens of Cambridge and neighbouring counties, collected by Maurice Johnson, chiefly from the records of the Commissioners of Sewers. Latin and English. In two parts, each with title and dedication, viz.:-

1. Transport of a MS. in possession of Thomas Peirson, of the Middle Temple and of Wisbeach, clerk to the Commissioners of Sewers for Wisbeach Hundred, with notes by Johnson. At f. 37 b is mentioned a suggestion by Beaupré Bell in 1724 that the compiler was one "Richard Atkyns, sometime clerk of the Sewers at Lynn for Norfolk and the hundred of Wisbech." It contains extracts from Camden and other historians and various 15th-17th centt. documents relating to the Isle, including an inspeximuscharter to Ely Abbey, 2 Hen. VI. At the end is added (f. 38) the charter of incorporation of Wisbeach, 28 Jan. 1610. This first book is dedicated by Johnson to his "honoured kinsman" Thomas Edwards, of Wisbeach Castle. f. 2.

2. Transcripts of documents relating to the fens, from A.D. 966. This book is dated Spalding, 1710, and dedicated to Thomas Peirson, who seems to have "accommodated" Johnson with most of these copies from the collections in his office. Others were written (note on f. 43) by Richard Arney, clerk of the Sewers at Wisbeach, and presented to Johnson by his Son John Arney. They are in various bands, chiefly of the 17th cent., but a few are in Johnson's own hand. f. 43. Paper; ff. 259. XVIIth-XVIIIth centt. Bookplate of M. Johnson, 1735 (sale-cat. 1898, lot 1026). 12 ½ X 8 in.