The Diary of Nathaniel Bryceson (Part 6)

[nestagj]

Hi Ruskie

I know he could have got rid of them himself but somehow personally I doubt it; why get rid after keeping them for so long ?

N

[waiteohman]

There is a good possiblity that Abrahams may have acquired the diary/diaries, possibly from an estate clearing, perused them and later sold them. He has been known to sell archival documents and around the time of NB's death. NB's collection of old maps/books would surely have caught Abrahams interest if these were sold.

Found this transaction by Abrahams in National Archives of England :
SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. Transcripts, notes and extracts by early officers and Fellows of SA conc. antiquities, pictures, MSS, etc., some derived from Stukeley's book, SAL/MS/265, with added information  SAL/MS/264  1718-mid 18th cent., with later additions
Paper; ff. iv + 226. 1718-mid 18th century, with later additions. Folio. Half leather, brown, with marbled boards. Miscellaneous London notes, fol. iv.
Archival history: ... Sold by Aleck Abrahams to SA, April 1912 (fol. ii).
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=118-sal_1&cid=-1#-1

NB's interest in following Mrs. S, must have been for her connection with John Bunyan. I bet he had a copy of Pilgrim's Progress and would have loved the opportunity to view the author's portrait.

[Ruskie]

That's an interesting find Linda. I'm not sure I understand exactly but I think I get the gist of it.

Took a while to work out that the SA mentioned must be the Society of Antiquaries.  Um would it be worth contacting them?

Nathaniel just seems to be interested in old stuff - prints, books, buildings, people ...  - He went to see John Bunyan's grave and when he learned Mrs S was a relative, he became interested in her. (I hope she resurfaces in Nat's diary and he finds out her proper name)

[Siamese Girl]

William Stukely was sort of father of British archaeology - he was the first person to take a serious interest in Stonehenge. Just the kind of thing I'd have expected Aleck Abrahams to have owned (although if he sold the notes he can't have been that interested!)

Has anyone else tried to find Aleck Abrahams in BMDs/censuses? Even looking under Alec/Alex variants I can't really find anyone who I think might be him. I know this doesn't matter but I was just curious.


I have to say diary-wise I'm missing Mrs S. Nat seems to have lost interest in her  

Carole

[waiteohman]

Carole I'm with you there 

I have to say diary-wise I'm missing Mrs S. Nat seems to have lost interest in her  
Carole

I should have bracketed SA beside the full name; however, just cut and pasted and didn't think of it Ruskie.

On google books searching by author pulls up some works he has authorer/coauthored. I wonder if there may be a little info given in these documents. Searching WorldCat there are libraries holding them. Maybe contacting the libraries to see if there are details within on the author.

On Amazon it associates Abrahams with the Dept of Botany, British Museum http://www.rootschat.com/links/09g0/

Night all,
Linda

[Siamese Girl]

On Amazon it associates Abrahams with the Dept of Botany, British Museum http://www.rootschat.com/links/09g0/

I saw that - botany doesn't really seem quite his subject does it 

Carole

[Ruskie]

William Stukely was sort of father of British archaeology - he was the first person to take a serious interest in Stonehenge. Just the kind of thing I'd have expected Aleck Abrahams to have owned (although if he sold the notes he can't have been that interested!)

Has anyone else tried to find Aleck Abrahams in BMDs/censuses? Even looking under Alec/Alex variants I can't really find anyone who I think might be him. I know this doesn't matter but I was just curious.


I have to say diary-wise I'm missing Mrs S. Nat seems to have lost interest in her  

Carole

I can't see Aleck in the 1901 or 1891 (spelled as Aleck). There is one born in 1907 and possibly dies in 1908 - maybe a son? Aleck is an unusual spelling. I wonder if he is from elsewhere countrywise. 

It is disappointing that Nat isn't stalking Mrs S any more. Nat has been pretty lazy lately regarding his diary entries. He must be knackered all week from those Sunday walks and the shenanigans with Ann.

[drykid]

I saw that - botany doesn't really seem quite his subject does it 

Maybe it grew on him  Seriously though, if it was a paid position then maybe it was just a case of doing the work that was available. I'm not sure how easy it was to get a job in academia back then.

I must admit I'd like to see AA traced further, even though I very much doubt it will lead to further diary discoveries.  If it helps the tracing process then he gives his address in an earlier Notes & Queries (1904) as:

"39 Hilmarton Road, N." ("N." meaning North London, I assume.)

[Siamese Girl]

I wonder if Aleck was a pseudonym?



Carole