Miscellaneous documents
Reference: D/X 1131 Catalogue Title: Miscellaneous documents Area: Catalogue Category: Other Records Description: Matthew Richley of Bishop Auckland, antiquarian
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- Miscellaneous documents
Catalogue Description
Records deposited on long-term loan6 March 1996 Acc: 2356(D)
Records of Matthew Richley of Bishop Auckland (1820-1904)
Matthew Richley, a native of Bishop Auckland, was a noted antiquarian, poet and naturalist, who was best known for his History and Characteristics of Bishop Auckland, 300 copies of which were published in 1872. He was a voluminous contributor to local newspapers from the mid-nineteenth century onwards, and was also secretary to the Bishop Auckland Mechanics' Institute for 10 years. Richley's papers include two items relating to his father, Robert Richley. For an obituary: see The Auckland Chronicle, 1 December 1904.
Catalogue Contents
Matthew Richley of Bishop Auckland (1820-1904) (Ref: D/X 1131/1-15)Ref: D/X 1131/1
Matthew Richley, History and Characteristics of Bishop Auckland : including a description of the parish church of St. Andrew's Auckland, St. Ann's Chapel, the Bishop's palace and other places of historic interest in the neighbourhood, W.J. Cummins, Bishop Auckland, 1872.
Inscribed on title page 'to Robert Richley from his affectionate father, October 1885'
(1 volume, leather half-bound, printed, illustrated)
Ref: D/X 1131/2Newspaper cuttings book compiled by Matthew Richley, c.1850-1890 Comprises his contributions of verse, antiquarian notes, articles and correspondence which were printed in local journals (Auckland Times and Herald, Durham Chronicle, et al.) and reports of Mechanics' Institute and Archaeological Society meetings at which he lectured, and obituaries of his acquaintances.
At end: a series of printed handbills relating to plays performed at Bishop Auckland (1808, 1809, 1812, 1820), notice of a cockfight at Mr. Thompson's pit, Bishop Auckland (1816), election song (1832) and notices of Mechanics' Institute lectures (1849,1854).
At beginning: a small photograph of Matthew Richley, n.d.
For enclosures see D/X 1131/3-15
(1 volume, cloth bound)
Ref: D/X 1131/3The Darlington Mercury or Durham Advertiser, 19 March 1773
(2 papers, printed)
Ref: D/X 1131/48 April 1801
(1) Robert Richley, son of Robert Richley of Bishop Auckland,
St. Andrew, weaver
(2) William Nevison of the same, tailor
Apprenticeship indenture of (1) to (2) for 7 years, as tailor
(1 paper)
Ref: D/X 1131/5The Bishop of Durham in account with Robert Richley, tailor: bill for making two suits of clothes for Michael Proud and John Lenerd, September 1812
(1 paper)
Ref: D/X 1131/6Extract from the Durham Chronicle regarding notice erected by churchwardens of an unspecified parish [? Bishop Auckland], 28 December 1822
(1 paper, printed)
Ref: D/X 1131/7Copy of a poem 'On Auckland Park' by Aaron Dent Allason, one of Bishop Maltby's gardeners, n.d. [mid 19th c.]
(4 papers, typescript)
Ref: D/X 1131/8Handbills comprising: Bishop Auckland Mechanics' Institute lectures, 1850-1851; Bishop Auckland Association for the Prosecution of Poets and Punsters [humorous notice regarding slander of the Bishop Auckland Protestant Defence Association], 21 September 1852; Bishop Auckland Mechanics' Institute Grand Soiree, 12 July 1853; Crook Mechanics' Institute lectures, 1853-1854; 'A new song to an old tune' [regarding Roman Catholics], n.d. [19th c.]
(5 papers, printed)
Ref: D/X 1131/9Newspaper cuttings, including a report of M. Richley's 80th birthday souvenir, verses in memoriam of his death (1904), report of a soirée of the Bishop Auckland Mechanics' Institute and a report of the Tyneside and Auckland Field Clubs' excursion, c.1850-1904
(7 papers)
Ref: D/X 1131/10Letter from Jos. Longstaffe to Matthew Richley regarding the history of the Pollards of Auckland, 31 December 1871
(1 paper)
Ref: D/X 1131/11M. Richley in account with W.J. Cummins, of Bishop Auckland, printer: account for printing Richley's History of Auckland, June 1873
(1 paper)
Ref: D/X 1131/12Draft letter from Matthew Richley to the committee of Bishop Auckland Mechanics Institute stating his objection to the conditions of an agreement for employment, n.d. [late 19th c.]
(1 paper)
Ref: D/X 1131/13Advertisement for James Brown, tobacconist and fancy goods dealer of 64 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, including verses possibly written by Matthew Richley, n.d. [19th c.]
(1 paper, printed)
Ref: D/X 1131/14List of books relating to Auckland (1736-1901) and of books written by persons in Bishop Auckland (1665-1875), n.d. [c.1875, 1901]
(2 papers)
Ref: D/X 1131/15Pressed leaves and flowers, presumably collected by Richley during preparation for his 'Rural Rambles' column, n.d.
Originally interleaved in D/X 1131/2
(2 folders)