A devout Christian life: Jane Arthington 1828-1856
Maria ARTHINGTON (1795-1866, nee JOWITT, editor, author, transcriber).
[Life, thoughts and writings of Jane Crawshaw, 1828-1856] original fair-copy manuscript “Recollections of dear Jane, for private circulation within the limits of her own family circle”. [Hunslet Lane, Leeds, Yorkshire, UK: dated “May 1856’ but covering events from Jane’s birth in 1828 to her early death in April 1856]. Quarto (9 ½ x 7 ½ inches; 242 x 190mm). Contents: 2pp. blank; 78 pages text in Maria’s excellent legible hand, being extensive transcribed extracts from Jane’s writing (original poetry, occasional letters and diary), put into context with linking text from Maria; 52pp blank. Extra-illustrated with two loosely inserted printed poems by Maria on aspects of Jane’s death. Original leather-backed patterned paper-covered boards, the covers with vellum corners (light worm damage to the spine and the lower joint, some light soiling). Provenance: Simon Crawshaw (Jane’s husband, by descent).
An engaging mix of biography, poetry and diary entries, with strong religious overtones: being the combined thoughts and writings of Maria and Jane, the mother and sister of Robert Arthington jr., one of the most important financial supporters of 19th-century Christian missionary work. Both Maria and Jane appear to have had work published.
Jane was born into a wealthy Quaker family in the Leeds area. Much of the present ‘memorial’ volume is taken up with her search for a faith which suited her. The family soon left the Society of Friends, and Jane initially worshiped with her mother’s congregation (Salem Congregational Chapel, Leeds) before applying to and being accepted by the East Parade Congregational Chapel also in Leeds in 1851. She met her future husband during the summer of 1852; married in 1855 and died in April 1856 of what sounds like general ill-health as well as difficulties following the premature birth of her first child (who died shortly after she did).
The transcriber/editor/author is her mother, Maria Arthington (nee Jowitt) who married brewer Robert Arthington: they had four children, 1 son (Robert jr.) and three daughters including Jane. Maria was a published author, and appears to have started or possibly finished the present manuscript in May 1856 – the date of the inscription at the front.
Jane Crawshaw (nee Arthington) was the sister of Robert Arthington jnr. (1823-1900) “one of the most remarkable figures in the story of Victorian missionary expansion” (Brian Stanley, abstract from article “‘The Miser of Headingly’: Robert Arthington and the Baptist Missionary Society, 1877–1900”). There are various diary entries which feature Robert jr. in the present manuscript, he subsequently inherited a fortune from his parents, and spent the latter part of his life giving substantial financial support to various missionary enterprises.
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Maria ARTHINGTON (1795-1866, nee JOWITT, editor, author, transcriber).
[Life, thoughts and writings of Jane Crawshaw, 1828-1856] original fair-copy manuscript “Recollections of dear Jane, for private circulation within the limits of her own family circle”. [Hunslet Lane, Leeds, Yorkshire, UK: dated “May 1856’ but covering events from Jane’s birth in 1828 to her early death in April 1856]. Quarto (9 ½ x 7 ½ inches; 242 x 190mm). Contents: 2pp. blank; 78 pages text in Maria’s excellent legible hand, being extensive transcribed extracts from Jane’s writing (original poetry, occasional letters and diary), put into context with linking text from Maria; 52pp blank. Extra-illustrated with two loosely inserted printed poems by Maria on aspects of Jane’s death. Original leather-backed patterned paper-covered boards, the covers with vellum corners (light worm damage to the spine and the lower joint, some light soiling). Provenance: Simon Crawshaw (Jane’s husband, by descent).
An engaging mix of biography, poetry and diary entries, with strong religious overtones: being the combined thoughts and writings of Maria and Jane, the mother and sister of Robert Arthington jr., one of the most important financial supporters of 19th-century Christian missionary work. Both Maria and Jane appear to have had work published.
Jane was born into a wealthy Quaker family in the Leeds area. Much of the present ‘memorial’ volume is taken up with her search for a faith which suited her. The family soon left the Society of Friends, and Jane initially worshiped with her mother’s congregation (Salem Congregational Chapel, Leeds) before applying to and being accepted by the East Parade Congregational Chapel also in Leeds in 1851. She met her future husband during the summer of 1852; married in 1855 and died in April 1856 of what sounds like general ill-health as well as difficulties following the premature birth of her first child (who died shortly after she did).
The transcriber/editor/author is her mother, Maria Arthington (nee Jowitt) who married brewer Robert Arthington: they had four children, 1 son (Robert jr.) and three daughters including Jane. Maria was a published author, and appears to have started or possibly finished the present manuscript in May 1856 – the date of the inscription at the front.
Jane Crawshaw (nee Arthington) was the sister of Robert Arthington jnr. (1823-1900) “one of the most remarkable figures in the story of Victorian missionary expansion” (Brian Stanley, abstract from article “‘The Miser of Headingly’: Robert Arthington and the Baptist Missionary Society, 1877–1900”). There are various diary entries which feature Robert jr. in the present manuscript, he subsequently inherited a fortune from his parents, and spent the latter part of his life giving substantial financial support to various missionary enterprises.
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