Journal of William Dowsing

Journal of William Dowsing (1596-1668), the iconoclast, 6 Jan. 1643/4 to 1 Oct. 1644; transcribed, with other material, c. 1752-4 (see pp. 34, 35). According to a note, p. 1, the transcript is 'A True Coppy of a Manuscript found in the Libray [sic] of Samll: Dowsing of Statford [Stratford St Mary, Suff.] being writtin by his farther Wm: Dowsings own hand; and afterwards sold to Mr Huse a Bookseller at Exeter change in the Strand London amongest other Books & papers Sept. 6th 1704 &c'. Written by Edward Duck, brazier of Ipswich, 1754; an edition by Trevor Cooper is in preparation. Other MS transcripts of Dowsing's journal were known; see the edition by R. Loder (1786). The journal (pp. 1-24) consists, in the present transcript, of 150 numbered accounts of the breaking of religious images in E. Anglia, including pictures, crosses, inscriptions, etc. On p. 24 is the note 'Here the MS Ends'. The remainder of the volume consists of extracts and copies partly relating to East Anglia including:- Extract conc. the branding and whipping of James Naylor, Quaker, 1656, p. 25; poems by Thomas Fuller and Alexander Brome, pp. 26-30; a recipe 'to make a Presbyterain' beginning 'Take the herbs hypocrisy & ambition', p. 31; extracts, 1752, from the register of St Lawrence, Ipswich, pp. 33-4; English translation of a Latin inscription and verses over and under the picture of Charles I lying in state formerly in the same church, pp. 37, 36; heads of sermons preached by the Rev. (Robert) Middleton, minister of St Mary's Colchester, n.d., 1725, on the Book of Common Prayer, etc., pp. 38-52. Inside the front cover, p. i, notes of four wills, 1463-76, headed St Peter's, Ipswich.

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