Reference code: GB-0034-UC/P52
Title: Durham St Cuthbert's Parish Archives and Manuscripts
Dates of creation: [?17th century] - 1991
Extent: 1.5 metres
Held by: Ushaw College Library
Origination: Durham, St Cuthbert's Parish
Language: English and Latin
Although the church of St. Cuthbert’s, Elvet, Durham was built in 1827, only slightly predating the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, there is a tradition of Catholic recusancy in Elvet dating back to the sixteenth century, earning the area the
name “Popish Elvet”. Despite oppression under the reign of Elizabeth I, Catholics continued to worship in secret. They were served by missionary priests trained abroad at seminarian colleges on the Continent, such as
the English College of Douai. The 1585 Act Against Jesuits and Seminarists made it a capital offence to be a Catholic priest in England, and many priests serving the Durham Catholic community, and the lay people helping them, were put to death. By
the 1650s, a chapel with secular priests was in place at 33 Elvet. In 1717 Jesuits moved to 44-45 Elvet and set up a private chapel bringing their congregation with them, their previous chapel having been destroyed by a mob in 1688, during the
revolution against the Catholic James II. In addition, Catholic gentry families occupied much of the property along Old Elvet.
There is little information on the formation, acquisitions, and readership of the library itself, although there are tantalising glimpses into the Catholic networks throughout Durham in the provenance information found within the books. There had
at some point been donations from the Northern Catholic gentry families of Clavering and Maire, as the books bear several provenance inscriptions of members from both families. Robert and Grace Maire were allegedly present at the execution of four
seminarian priests, later known as the Dryburne martryrs, at Durham in May 1590. This experience is said to have converted them to the Catholic faith. From the 1660s to the 1740s the Maire family were also benefactors of another Jesuit mission in
nearby Gilesgate.
Archives and manuscripts from the library of St Cuthbert's, Elvet, Durham, comprising mostly of manuscript volumes with extracts from printed sources on various theological subjects, including hagiography, apologetic works, and devotional
literature, as well as miscellaneous parish papers and ephemera.
The material was deposited in the mid to late twentieth century by St. Cuthbert’s Catholic Parish. There is no known existing loan agreement, correspondence or other archival material that detail the collection’s transfer to Ushaw College. The
collection is understood to be on permanent loan, however, this has yet to be confirmed.
Formerly part of the Durham St Cuthbert's Parish Library collection and transferred to the archive during the Ushaw cataloguing project in 2021
Open for consultation.
Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from pg.library@durham.ac.uk and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. The Library will assist where possible with identifying copyright
owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material
1. Manuscript Volumes
2. Papers
No further accruals are expected.
Lancaster Catholic Parish Archives and Manuscripts
Weldbank Parish Archives and Manuscripts
Claughton Parish Archives and Manuscripts
Middlesbrough Diocese Parish Library
Claughton Parish Library
Durham St Cuthbert's Parish Library
Lancaster Diocese Parish Library
Dodding Green Parish Library
Moriarty Library
Poor Clares, Darlington, Collection
Weld Bank Parish Library
https://www.stcuthberts-durham.org.uk/about-us/history
https://taking-stock.org.uk/building/durham-st-cuthbert/
A catalogue of the books in the library of St. Cuthbert's chapel, Durham; together with the rules and regulations. (Hartlepool: Ord & Rutherford, 1840)
Page, William ed.,
A History of the County of Durham: Volume 3 (London: Victoria County History, 1928.)
1. Manuscript VolumesUC/P52/1/1 1657
Language: English
“Sancta Sophia or Directions ffor the Prayers off Contemplation. Extracted out of more than 10 Treatises written by the late venerable Father Augustine Baker. A monke of the English congregation of the holy order of St.
Benedict & methodically digested by the Reuerend father Seuenus Cuessey of they same order & congregation. And Printed at the Charges of his Conuent of S. Gregories in Doway. Vol. 2. At Doway. By John Latte & Thomas Fleuet, Anno. Dom.
1659. W. C.”
Provenance: on the front pastedown ink bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.” and pencil inscription St. Cuthbert's. On the recto of the front endpaper inscription “Ex lib Bib Sti. Cuthberti
Durham” previous shelfmark (β CRE). At the head of the title page inscription “Ex libris Jac. Gerard”
On the verso of the front endpaper pencil inscription "Possibly D[?] Winifred Constable of Cambrai, professed 1656, d.1660"
Pages 1-281
Size: 110 x 170 mm
UC/P52/1/2 [?1670 x 1674]
Language: Latin
“Auspice Christo controuersiarum inter Euangelicas st Pontificias breuis et Succincta delineateo secundum methodum Roberti Bellarmini”
The second half of the volume contains copious shorthand notes
Date on the rear pastedown: 13 May 1670
Attestation dated 1674 by “H. M.” on his/her sinful nature and willingness to submit to God
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.” . Inscription on recto of the stub of the front endpaper “Richard Clegg” (possibly vicar of Kirkham, -1720)
1 volume (unpaginated)
Size: 105 x 150 mm
UC/P52/1/3 [?17th century]
Language: Latin
“Contractio contractionis S. Bernardi di Abbatis Clairvae. Pars secunda”
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Library”. On the recto of the front endpaper previous shelfmark (α BER)
Folios 1-20, 1-14, 1-17, 1-15, 1-16, 1-10, 1-22, 1-14, 1-15, 1-16, 1-20
Size: 55 x 85 mm
UC/P52/1/4 [?17th century]
Language: Latin
“Incrnao conc. & [?] Tract de Incarnaoe”:
(1)
“Tractatus de incanaoe”
(2)
“Disputao de Scrp. Sacra de Canoe Scrip. Sa.”
(3)
“Appendix de 6 prioribus 5 [?] qualibus Sac. Sa.”
Provenance: on the front pastedown inscription “St Cuthbert's Old Elvet” and circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”.
1 volume (mostly unpaginated)
Size: 110 x 170 mm
UC/P52/1/5 [?17th century]
Language: Latin and English
Manuscript commentary on Luke 2
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.” . On the recto of the front endpaper inscription “November 23 - Received of Mr Willia Stephenson twenty shillings
, as the [?dissident[ of the [?foud] Anno 89/”
6 unnumbered folios
Size: 120 x 185 mm
UC/P52/1/6 [?18th century]
Language: English
Manuscript notes and commentaries on various theological subjects
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.” .
1 volume (unpaginated)
Size: 120 x 190 mm
UC/P52/1/7 [?late 18th century] - October 1974
Language: English
“A catalogue of the books at Hessop”
Also includes papers relating to the sale of the library in October 1970, now in separate envelope
Provenance: on the front pastedown pencil inscription “This book belongs to the presbytery St Cuthbert's Catholic Church, Old Elvet, Durham City. On permanent loan to Ushaw ”.
1 volume (unpaginated)
Size: 165 x 200 mm
UC/P52/1/8 [1815]
Language: English
Manuscript volume including writings on the lives of Epictetus, Eupherie (virgin), St Mary of Egypt (pentitent), the latter written by Sophonius patriarch of Jerusalem
First, second, third, fourth & fifth parts. Histories from Rosweid
Dated from internal evidence
Includes index at the end of volum
Provenance: on the front pastedown circul`ar bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”. On the recto of the front endpaper inscription “George Witham. Wm Croskell” and previous shelfmark: β
WIT
Pages 1-7; folios 8-130, [5]
Size: 190 x 260 mm
UC/P52/1/9 [1818]
Language: English
“The life of St Posthumius father of five thousand monks. By an unknown author”
Dated from internal evidence
Includes index at the end of volume
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”. On the recto of the front endpaper inscriptions “George Witham. Wm Croskell” and
“Ex lib. Bib. Sti Cutberti Durham” and previous shelfmark: β WIT
Folios 1-186
Size: 190 x 260 mm
UC/P52/1/10 [1818]
Language: English
Manuscript volume including extracts and writings on the lives of various saints:
“The Life of St Paul the first Hermit written by St Jerome”
“Life of St Anthony Patriarch of Monks by St Athanasius”
“Life of St Basil”
“Life of St Ephrem the Syrian”
“Life of St John the Almoner B. of Alexandria”
“Life of Pelagia Penitent”
“Life of Onuphrius Hermit”
“Life of Eugenia Origin and Martyr”
“Life of Macarius the Roman”
“Some extracts from Dialogues Christienne”
“Extracts from Le Nain”
“Two French Penitents”
Dated from internal evidence
Includes index at the end of volume
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”. On the recto of the first flyleaf inscriptions “George Witham. Wm Croskell” .
Folios 1-171, 1-38, [7]
Size: 190 x 260 mm
UC/P52/1/11 1 January 1820
Language: English
“Anadcotes Chretiennes Published at Lyon 1801”
Probably extracts from Reyre, Joseph,
Anecdotes chrétiennes, ou recueil de traits d'histoire choisis; auxquels on a ajouté les grands exemples de vertu qu'ont donné les catholiques franc̜ais pendant la révolution. Pour servir à l'éducation de la jeunesse et
à l'édification de tous les fidèles (Lyon: Girard, 1801)
Dated from preface
Includes index at the end of volume
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”. On the recto of the front endpaper inscriptions “George Witham. Wm Croskell”, “Ex lib. Bib. Sti Cuthberti Durham” and previous shelfmark β WIT.
Folios 1-215. [3]
Size: 190 x 260 mm
UC/P52/1/12 8 April 1819
Language: English
“Theodoret's Lives and Spirtual Meadows by John Moschos”
Dated from the verso of f. 139
Includes index at the end of volume
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”. On the recto of the front endpaper inscriptions “George Witham. Wm Croskell”, “Ex lib. Bib. Sti Cuthberti Durham” and previous shelfmark β WIT.
Folios 1-139, [5]
Size: 190 x 260 mm
UC/P52/1/13 [?1819]
Language: English
Unititled manuscript volume, mostly accounts of lives of saints
Includes index at the end of volume
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”. On the recto of the front endpaper inscriptions “George Witham. Wm Croskell” and previous shelfmark β
WIT.
Folios 1-108, [3]
Size: 190 x 260 mm
UC/P52/1/14 1 March 1821
Language: English
“The wonderful Life and Revelations of Sister Mary Agnes of Jesus alias [?Ferioa] Religious of the Third Order of St Francis at Rome written by the Revd Joseph Marconi Translated in English”
On Page 328: “Finished March 1 1821 in little more than a month by the Rev George Witham”
Includes index at the end of volume
Provenance: on the recto of the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”, inscriptions “George Witham. Wm Croskell”, “Ex lib. Bib. Sti
Cuthberti Durham” and previous shelfmark β WIT.
Pages 1-328, [13]
Size: 210 x 320 mm
UC/P52/1/15 28 January 1823
Language: English
“God unknown by Henry Mary Boudon D.D. Archdeacon of Everaux”
On folio 146: “Jan 28 1823. Durham”
Includes index at the end of volume
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”. On the recto of the front endpaper inscriptions “George Witham. Wm Croskell”, “Ex lib. Bib. Sti Cuthberti Durham” and previous shelfmark β WIT.
Folios 1-146, [2]
Size: 210 x 320 mm
UC/P52/1/16 10 November 1823
Language: English
“The life of the Venerable Sister Mary (canonized) of the Incarnation and Lay Sister of the Carmelties, Foundress of the Carmelties of France by l'Abbé de Montis Jan. 1822 called in the world Madame [?Acasie]”
On the verso of folio 178: “Nov. 10 1823 Burnhall”
Includes index at the end of volume
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”. On the recto of the front endpaper inscriptions “George Witham. Wm Croskell”, “Ex lib. Bib. Sti Cuthberti Durham” and previous shelfmark β WIT.
Folios 1-178, [3]
Size: 210 x 320 mm
UC/P52/1/17 10 December 1823
Language: English
“The Lives of St Baslaam Hermit and St Josephet an Indian King wrote by St John Damascene translted by Jacobus Billius [?Prunceus]. Feb 28 1823, into Englsh”
On the verso of folio 157: “Durham Decem 10. 1823”
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”. On the recto of the front endpaper inscriptions “George Witham. Wm Croskell”, “Ex lib. Bib. Sti Cuthberti Durham” and previous shelfmark β WIT.
Folios 1-157, [8]
Size: 210 x 320 mm
UC/P52/1/18 13 October 1824
Language: English
“The Spirit of St Vincent de Paul by M. Andre Joseph Ansart Durham Decem 16. 1823”
Includes index at the end of volume
On the verso of folio 237: “Oct 13 1824 Durham”
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”. On the recto of the front endpaper inscriptions “George Witham. Wm Croskell”, “Ex lib. Bib. Sti Cuthberti Durham” and previous shelfmark β WIT.
Folios 1-237, [2]
Size: 210 x 320 mm
UC/P52/1/19 10 June 1825
Language: English
Folios 1-49:
“Of the Love of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Motives how to acquire it. By Father Francis [?Nepvere]”
Folios 238-357:
“Life of the Venerable Louise de Marillac, Widow of M. le Gras Curate of St Laurence. Revised by M. Collet D.D. Paris 1769. Nov 10. 1823 Barnhall finished Decem 2 1824”
The second item is likely to be a continuation of UC/P52/1/18
Includes index at the end of volume
On the verso of folio 249: “10 June 1825”
Provenance: on the front pastedown circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”. On the recto of the front endpaper inscriptions “George Witham. Wm Croskell”, “Ex lib. Bib. Sti Cuthberti Durham” and previous shelfmark β WIT.
Folios 1-49, [6], 238-357
Size: 210 x 320 mm
UC/P52/1/20 1864 - 1868
Language: English
Chemistry notebook
Provenance: on the front pastedown manuscript inscription “Names of Posterity to whom this book was handed down by the author: Wilfrid Grehan L.L.D. 1859-71 John Hoy D.D. Maurice Postant B.A. D.R.L. 1867-8 [?Harry]
Hornby 1868” and circular bookstamp “Ushaw College Lib.”
1 volume
Other PapersUC/P52/2/1-5 1864 - 1869
Rev Wilfrid Grehen's Ushaw College subject notebooks, including Chemistry, Church and English History, Moral Philosophy, Theology, and Syntax
On the front pastedown of the Chemistry notebook manuscript inscription “Names of Posterity to whom this book was handed down by the author: Wilfrid Grehan L.L.D. 1859-71 John Hoy D.D. Maurice Postant B.A. D.R.L. 1867-8
[?Harry] Hornby 1868”
5 notebooks
UC/P52/2/6 [?19th century]
Address book
1 notebook
UC/P52/2/6 [?1847]
Cuttings from an appendix of a printed source entitled
“College Chapel of St Cuthbert, Ushaw”
Pages xxxi-xxxvi
UC/P52/2/7 1980 - 1991
Newsletters and other ephemeral publications from St Cuthbert's Deanery and Parish, Durham
1 file
