Call Number:

Ms. Codex 2168

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

William Huxtable notebook with Dr. Newbolt medical recipes, circa 1840s-1887, Ms. Codex 2168, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

circa 1840s-1887 (inclusive)

Abstract:

This volume contains 86 pharmaceutical recipes by Dr. Newbolt, likely compiled by William Huxtable in South Molton, Devon, England from around the 1840s through 1887. This volume also contains summary financial accounts of the compiler's father and details of a property dispute between Huxtable and Thomas Ridler.

In the accounts of verbal agreements in this volume regarding a dispute with Thomas Ridler over a footpath on a property on Steppa Lane, the creator of this volume identifies himself as William Huxtable. In the 1871 English Census, a William Huxtable is identified as living at 131 Cock's Court, South Molton, Devon, England. Elsewhere in the 1971 census records, Cock's Court is listed in conjunction with Steppa Lane. The 1871 census records also identify a Thomas Ridler, retired miller, living at 123 Steppa Lane, South Molton, Devon, England. These are possibly the individuals represented in this volume.

William Huxtable was a carpenter born around 1830 in Sherwell, Devon, England. He was married to Ann Huxtable, who worked as a bookbinder. Together they had four children, William George, Huxtable, Mary Jane Huxtable, John Huxtable, and Bessie Huxtable.

Dr. Newbolt is unidentified.

This volume contains 86 pharmaceutical recipes by Dr. Newbolt, compiled by William Huxtable in South Molton, Devon, England from around the 1840s through 1887. It is bound in vellum with notes on the back cover. There is an index (p. xvii-xx).

Examples of recipes in this volume include Mrs. Huxtable's salve (p. 1), for bad eyes (p. 2), for dropsy or sumbago (p. 3), for inflammation (p. 7), consumption (p. 11), for a woman of a certain age (p. 12), "menstral" discharge (p. 13), for eruption of the blood (p. 17), for barnishing and cleaning pictures (p. 22), ulcer throat (p. 28), and heartburn (p. 29).

This volume also contains summary financial accounts of the compiler's father (p. ii-xvi) and details of a property dispute between William Huxtable and Thomas Ridler regarding a footpath on Huxtable's property on Steppa Lane, South Molton, Devon, England (p. 37-39). Huxtable wrote dated accounts of verbal agreements and communication between himself and Ridler and included the names of witnesses, when present.