Folger MS M.a.116

Title A Selection of Modern Poems
Archive Folger Shakespeare Library
Call Number Folger MS M.a.116
Complete Yes
Description

Azarias Williams, 1785–1790. 

The compiler blurs his own voice with that of his sources by signing his name to much of what he copies.

78 poems.

Choices seem significant autobiographically—themes of emigration, social behaviour, British patriotism, New York, death, children, sentimental courtship, male unfaithfulness/libertinism, religious/devotional expressions, and topographical poetry.

Format Quarto
Book Size 23cm x 19cm
Filled Page Count 156 pages
Item Count 79
Poem Count 78
Periods
First Line Index No
Digitized No
Region
Additional Genres Prose letters
Print Sources
Major Themes

Major themes prominent among the manuscript contents in alphabetical order.

Minor Themes

Other themes of interest among the manuscript contents in alphabetical order.

Links
Bibliography
Citation

Folger MS M.a.116.” Manuscript Verse Miscellanies, 1700–1820, edited by Betty A. Schellenberg, Simon Fraser University, https://mvm.dhil.lib.sfu.ca/manuscript/331. Accessed .

Created 2019-11-04 7:44:24 AM
Updated 2023-07-20 4:08:33 PM
First Line Context Print Source
Dear Peggy, since the single state

pp. 112–116.

Local title: Advice from an unmarried Lady to one lately married.

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: Attributed date: "31 Jany 1787."

Unknown
Friend, Sister, Partner of that gentle Heart

pp. 24–25.

Local title: Conjugal Precepts. Addressed to a Lady.

Attributed author: Langhorne.

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: Begins with stanza "Love, like the flow'r that courts the sun's kind ray..."

Other: n/a

Unknown
Heav'n first taught letters for some wretch's aid

p. 149

Local title: n/a

Attributed author: n/a, though there's a later pencil attribution to "Alex Pope."

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

Unknown
Imprimis---my departed shade I trust

pp. 77-78

Local title: Mira's Last Will and Testament

Attributed author: Mrs. Leapor

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

Unknown
Stop, passenger! until my life you read

p. 48.

Local title: An Inscription. On the Tomb stone of Margaret Scott who deceased at Delkeath Twelve Miles from New Castle February. 9th. in the year 1681.

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

Unknown
Struck with religious awe, and solemn dread

pp. 70–73

Local title: A Soliloquy written in a country Church-Yard.

Attributed author: the Rev. Mr. Moore of Cornwall.

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

Unknown
The sun sets in night, and the stars shun the day

p. 143.

Local title: The Death song of a Cherokee Indian.

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: Signed and dated "28 Feb. 1790 first cop'd. 7 Oct. 1787."

Unknown
Think not by rig'rous Judgment seiz'd

p. 47.

Local title: On Two Lovers who were struck dead by the same flash Lightning.

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

Unknown
View not this Spire by Measure giv'n

p. 57

Local title: Engraven on a Column In the Church of Halstead in Essex the Spire of which burnt down by Lightning was re-built at the expence of Mr. Samuel Fiske. 1717.

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: Dated "NY Feby 1787." 

Unknown
Welcome little helpless stranger

pp. 107–108

Local title: On the Birth of a Son.

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: Signed and dated 26 Aug 1786.

Unknown
Why should our joys transform to pain;

pp. 133-135

Local title: The Indian Philosopher

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: Signed and dated 26 June 1789.

Unknown
Feature Note
Author attributions

Occasional; most signed or initialed by Williams so difficult to tell, thou these marks are seemingly an indication of copying, not authorship. 

Binding

Pre-bound. Created from a soft-covered paperbook. Subsequently rebound; items from decayed covers now pasted onto inside covers of new board binding.

Title page covered with silk for protection.

Pasteboard covers much decayed.

Decorations - hand-drawn

Significant decorative features.

Elaborate signatures to every item in the first part of the book, but variation in formats.

Hands

Single, except the three medicinal entries near the end of the book. 

Indications of use

Later use of book to record George Warner’s epitaph [Azaria's father in law] as well as several medicinal recipes – possibly used by widow or one of her children – see annotation of anniversary poem on p. 118.

Item formatting

Variable marks at the ends of poems – looped lines, double ruled lines, upside-down trianble-shaped pattern of parallel long lines to very short lines.

Signatures to every item in the first part of the book.

Original poetry

Very likely.

A number of items signed/ initialed by the compiler, though he also puts his signature to works he attributes to other authors.

Ownership mark

Elaborate signature to every item in the first part of the book, but variating in formats. 

On the back cover: "Azarias Williams, Merchant, New York, no. 58 Water Street."

On front cover: "Anna J. Maria" and armorial bookplate of Azarias Williams.

Signature of Sally Furman Williams Warner written into book on p. 118 after anniversary poem from a husband to a wife.

Page layout

Ruled left-hand margins that seem to be a feature of the book.

Table of Contents

Yes.

Title page

Yes, covered with silk for protection.

Several unattributed mottos on title page.