Portfolio of Engravings from Dade's 'History and Antiquities of Holderness'

This portfolio contains engravings taken from Dade's History and antiquities of Holderness, including of Skipsea church, North Frodingham church, Barmston church and Swine church. There is also an engraving of Grimston Hall and a map of Hornsea and Hornsea Mere. Accompanying these are 19th century election broadsheets and an account of poor relief for Beverley.

William Dade was born c.1740 in Burton Agnes, East Yorkshire. He was the son of the parish vicar, Rev. Thomas Dade, and his wife Mary Norton. Dade was educated locally before studying at St John's College, Cambridge, although he left the university without taking a degree. He took holy orders in 1763 and was initially rector of St Mary's Castlegate in York before settling as rector of Barmston, near Bridlington. In 1783 he became a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and in the same year published a proposal for a book on the history and antiquities of Holderness to be printed, with some copper-plate engravings, once there were 240 subscribers. Some sections of the book were printed in 1784 and the proof-sheets for these sections alongwith his manuscript notes and corrections are kept at the British Library. Dade, however, died on 2 Aug 1790 before the work could be completed and his manuscripts were given to George Poulson who rearranged and added to the material to publish 'The History and Antiquities of the Seignory of Holderness, in the East Riding of the County of York, including the Abbies of Meaux and Swine, with the Priories of Nunkeeling and Burstall; compiled from authentic charters, records, and the unpublished manuscripts of the Rev. William Dade, remaining in the library of Burton Constable,' 2 vols. Hull, 1840-1. A number of the original engravings for Dade's work were also published in 1835 as 'A Series of seventeen Views of Churches, Monuments, and other Antiquities, originally engraved for Dade's 'History of Holderness''. Dade also compiled, in several manuscript volumes, an 'Alphabetical Register of Marriages, Births, and Burials of considerable Persons in the county of York'.

Access will be granted to any accredited reader

Purchased on 19 January 1939 and transferred to the Archives in June 1975

The history and antiquities of the seignory of Holderness, George Poulson [L9.6]

Beverlac: or, The antiquities and history of the town of Beverley [L9.62 BE]

Other repositories

Proof sheets and MS corrections, British Library, general catalogue of printed books (Vol. 6)