| Description | (Consists of one notebook in paper covers, continued in several additional gatherings of paper, all sewn crudely together with a parchment cover. Described at the start as a memorandum book, but is almost a diary, May 1787-May 1812. The author was based in Kent, and appears to have been a farmer. His name is not revealed, [but he is probably John Martin of Sevenoaks, yeoman, whose will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in July 1812]. He mentions Mrs Martin, John Martin senior and junior [the latter a son of the author?, a doctor, who died in 1809 aged 37], Thomas Martin [another son] who married a Miss Harrison in 1799 and took over a shop in Battle, Sussex, [son] Richard Martin (married Sarah Troy in 1807), and daughter Elizabeth, and his brothers Richard and Edward Dalton Martin (who died aged 60 in 1809). The author's wife died in 1806. He refers frequently to the Streatfield and Gardner families, who may also be relatives. There are several medical references, including the purchase of medicine for madness [rabies] for dogs and humans, March 1788; a child (Betsey Martin, daughter of Thomas) 'inoculated with ye Cow Pox' in 1800; a friend or relative, Joseph Streatfield, 'Tap'd for his Illness - Dropsy, and they took away from him 45 Pints of Water', 1809; the author being bled on several occasions, 1810-1812; Elizabeth or Betsy Martin 'takeng [sic] with bleeding, thought by a small vein broack [sic] in her breast', and subsequently dying, 1810; a visiting Richard Martin 'taken away very ill with bowells complaint', 1810; Thomas Martin's son 'cut for the stone' at St Thomas's Hospital, 1811. Other notable references are to the death of Francis Austen, esquire, 1791 ('was dated on the coffin 93 years of age but was 94 by the accompt of people'); the breeding of horses (including a reference to a one-eyed horse, 1807); the baptism of [the author's nephew] Robert Bartram (an adult aged 21) ('Robt Bartram was Dipt in the Baptism the 25th Jany 1801 at Mr Arnolds ye Preacher'); and celebrating the jubilee 'at the Crown', 1809.) |