Museum Library & Archive

Library

The museum contains a comprehensive collection of early editions of the works of William Cowper and John Newton. Many of the books were collected by Thomas Wright of Olney, the founder of the museum.

The collection also includes critical works and biographies, and Christian works, bibles, hymns and sermons, and works of local history. The eighteenth century editions of Cowper’s works, many with fine bindings and donated by the noted bibliophile John Sparrow, are among the highlights of the collection.

We continue to collect books for the library and arrange occasional displays. Scholars who want to consult books from the collection should contact the House Manager to arrange a date to visit and to view the catalogue. Regrettably the museum does not at present have a study area. Books have to be consulted in the museum office.

.Cowper & Newton Collection

The Museum collection of Papers of and about William Cowper (1731-1800), poet, John Newton (1725-1807), curate, their family and associates, 1749-1952 is located in the Buckinghamshire Archive. You are able to search the collection online at archives.buckinghamshire.gov.uk

If you are wanting to research a particular document, we recommend checking in advance as the Museum exhibits the papers on a rolling programme.

Local Studies Archive

Scholars who wish to consult the materials from the collection should contact the House Manager to arrange a date to visit

Olney Overseers of the Poor levy and disbursement books 1744 – 1820  (more information)  (order via the online shop)

These have now been digitised thanks to a generous donation from a Friend of the Museum .  You are able to purchase a memory stick (£10 incl p&p) which contains digital images of the pages along with an information document & searchable database of names and payments.   All images remain the copyright of the Museum and may only be used for non commercial use.  Please credit Cowper & Newton Museum, Olney.

For Windows PCs only with Microsoft Excel version 2003 onwards

  • OLNEY POOR LEVY 1809 – 1810 OLNCN 786/6
  • OLNEY POOR LEVIES 1810 – 1811 OLNCN 786/6A
  • OLNEY POOR LEVIES 1811 – 1812 OLNCN 786/7
  • OLNEY LEDGER 1833 OLNCN 786/11
  • OLNEY PARISH LEDGER 1815 OLNCN 786/5
  • OLNEY WORKHOUSE BOOK 1746 – 1786 OLNCN 786/1
  • OLNEY WORKHOUSE DISBURSEMENTS 1768 – 1782 OLNCN 786/2
  • OLNEY WORKHOUSE BOOK 1782 – 1794 OLNCN 786/3
  • OLNEY PARISH LEDGER 1800 – 1815 OLNCN 786/4
  • ACCOUNT BOOK FOR OLNEY PARISH 1768 ONWARDS OLNCN 1391
  • ACCOUNT BOOK FOR OLNEY PARISH 1744 ONWARDS OLNCN 1390

Dr GRINDON’s LEDGER (1784 – 1793)

Details of patients’ names, medication and monthly costs, including Mrs Unwin (for the poet, William Cowper); Lady Austen (their friend); Mr Jones (for Lady Austen’s sister and brother-in-law); Revd. Bean, (successor to Rev. John Newton); Revd. Scott,(Bean’s successor); and Mr Collingridge of the family who later owned the property, now the Cowper and Newton Museum. Accession

Dr GRINDON’S DAY BOOKS for 1759 – 1760 and 1785 – 1787:  Patients’ names and prescriptions.

THE DARTMOUTH SURVEY for OLNEY, WARRINGTON AND BRADWELL ABBEY 1796 (more information)  (order form)

Tenant farmers’ names and details of their holdings, including descriptions of property and the area & 1796 maps

PROPERTY DEEDS (Various)

For example:  8 and 81 High Street, Olney (formerly the ‘Black Swan’ and Duke William’ ) These have also been transcribed.

OLNEY ALMANACS (Trade Directories) Various publishers 1886 – 1907 (with very few

RATCLIFF’S 1907 ALMANAC with Burials in Olney Parish churchyard 1887 – 1907

BUCKS PRINTED PARISH REGISTERS (all with index except where noted) for

  • OLNEY in 2 Vols 1665 – 1812
  • RAVENSTONE 1568 – 1812
  • ADDINGTON 1558 – 1837 Baptisms & Burials and 1558 – 1908 Marriages
  • ASTON ABBOTS in 2 Vols 1559 – 1837 with EDGCOTT 1538 – 1837 and DRAYTON PARSLOW
  • 1559 -1837
  • GREAT MARLOW 1592 – 1611
  • MENTMORE 1685 – 1829
  • STOKE POGES 1563 -1611
  • SWANBOURNE 1565 – 1836
  • THORNTON 1562 – 1812
  • WALTON 1598-1812
  • WING 1546 – 1812
  • WOUGHTON-ON-THE-GREEN 1558 – 1812

MORGAN/WONTNER  Family: Photographs, letters and a child’s bookcase

Typescript of SOME OLNEY FAMILIES: Hooton – Kitchener – Dix – Farrer.

Correspondence with Family History researchers on the following families:

ASPRAY/ASPREY – BOSWELL – COLLINGRIDGE – DARBY/GAMMAGE – GAUNTLETT – HIGGINS

– HOLLINGSHEAD – HODDLE – LORD – OLNEY – RICHARDSON – SOCKETT – SOUL – STORER –

TALBOT – THROCKMORTON – WORCESTER – WEST.

OLNEY MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS with index.

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Book Museum Tickets

Our Museum building remains CLOSED.  We are opening our gardens on limited entry.  The Cowper & Newton Museum gardens will be open to welcome you on Wednesday 5th August 10.30 – 12.15 and Saturday 8th August 10.30 – 12.15

(Follow our social media accounts or check back here for further opening days & times as they become available)