Thomas Chatterton Manuscript Project
Chatterton's
Works & Correspondence
(Progress Report : Links to Works being added daily)
Chatterton's handwritten Ms. see below for a transcript.
Introduction
Quick links to all of Chatterton's Works + Correspondence​
Call it what you will - if it was linked with Chatterton it will be included. This will be the base point from which we can examine every piece of work and add notes and links accordingly - what fun we will all have! Ok, I can't answer for you, but I will love every minute of it.
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Deciding what is and what is not written by Chatterton is, in some instances, difficult to determine. For this reason I am guided by a combination of Meyerstein & Taylor. I would welcome the input of the current experts but tend to hear very little from them - I guess they lead busy lives. I'm joking, I'm joking, I know how much time I spend on this project myself; simply too much. Here's an example :
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The manuscript receipt, shown above, was written by Chatterton and given to George Catcott. It passed from Catcott to the Bristol surgeon, Richard Smith, before it ended up at the Bristol Library.
The Ms. is very difficult to read, which leads me to believe that it has faded further since it was first transcribed (this is partly why the Chatterton Manuscript Project exists). This drove me to seek out a transcript, which I remembered reading in the past; it took me an hour and a half to find it, and here it is, direct from page 124 of The True Chatterton by John Ingram:
Mr George Catcott,
To the Executors of T. Rowley. Dr.
£ s. d.
To the pleasure received in reading his-
historic works ... ... ... ... 5 5 0
To the pleasure received in reading his
poetic works ... ... ... ... 5 5 0
£10 10 0
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Belongs to
Richard Smith
[Annotation in the handwriting of Richard Smith, Surgeon]
Note :
The key to my progress in this part of the project is the word 'View.' If it is blue and present next to a title, count yourself blessed. If is missing and you need the information then do let me know and I will see if I can populate the title for you. In the meantime, I will be endeavouring to populate each of the titles in order of their appearance below (from top to bottom), but will jump forward occasionally.
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The list is fully Searchable via your browser search function, or simply press ctrl+F.
Authentic Works at Colston's
3 August 1760 - 30 June 1767
Authentic at Lambert's
Phase 1 : 1 August 1767 - 30 September 1768
Where Woodbines Hang their Dewy Heads : View
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Bristows Tragedy or the Death of Sr Charles Bawdin : View
Aka: Ynn auntient Dayes, when Kenewalchyn Kynge, & Sancte Warbur.
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Theere was a Broder of Orderys Whyte : View
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Theere was a Broder of Orderys Blacke : View
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In the Merry Merye Vale : View
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Includes :
Dedication to Alexander Macintosh & Contents of this Book : View
The Battle of Hastynges 1 : View
The Unknown Knyght or The Tournament : View
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A Brief Account of William Cannings : View
Includes:
Authentic at Lambert's
Phase 2 : 1 October 17678 - 5 April 1769
The Mayor's first Passing over the Old Bridge : View
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Rowley's Printing Press : View
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To John Ladgate : View
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Songe to Ella : View
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John Ladgate's Answer : View
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Yellowe Rolle:
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Of the Auntiaunt Forme of Monies : View
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Englandes Glorye Revyved : View
Explayneals of the Annexed Yellowe Rolle [Purple Rolle] : View
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Battle of Hastings 2 : View​
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Byrtonne
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The Merrie Tricks of Laymyngetowne
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[Mass Book Inscription] (a)
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Tower Gate (b)
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Hardinge (c)
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The Parlyamente of Sprytes : View​​
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On the Dedication of St. Mary's Church : View
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Rowley's Collection for Canynge:
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The Gate of Sayncte Marye
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Auntyant Monuments
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Three Ancient Monuments
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Waterre Gate
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Bristol Castle
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Seyncte Maries Chyrche of the Porte : View
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Epitaph on Robert Canynge'
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Four Letters on Warwyke'
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Nine Deeds and Proclamations
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Abstracts from Letters
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Three Rowley Letters
The Rolle of Seyncte Bartlemeweis Priorie
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Fragment of a Sermon
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Knightes Templaries Chyrche
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Chronical 1340-1374
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The Chyrche Oratorie of the Calendaryes
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Three Tombs
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Note to Map of Bristol
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Extracts from Speght's Chaucer
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James Dodsley Correspondence, 21 Dec 1768 : View
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To Miss C___,
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On Hearing Her Play on the Harpsichord
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To Mr Powell
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Nine Poems to Hoyland, & Clarke:
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Seven to Eleanor Hoyland
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Two to Sally Clarke
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Letter from John Baker, 5 January 1769
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On the Death of Mr. Tandey
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On Mr. Broderip's Excellent Performance
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On Mr. Alcock of Bristol
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To Ralph Bigland
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Saxon Tincture
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James Dodsley Correspondence 15th Feb 1769 : View
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From John Baker, 18th February 1769
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Ǽlla: A Tragycal Enterlude, or Discoorsenyge Tragedie : View
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Epistle to Mastre Canynge on Ǽlla : View
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Letter to the Dynge Mastre Canynge : View
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Lyfe of W: Canynge
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The Worlde
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Elle's Coffin
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Rowley's Heraldic Account of Bristol Artists & Writers
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On Fitz Hardynge;
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On Richard 1;
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On Happinesse;
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On Johne a Dalbenie
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The Storie of Wyllyam Canynge (Anent a Brooklette) : View
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Churches of Bristol
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Fragmentes of Anticquitie
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The Court Mantle
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Ethelgar. A Saxon Poem
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To John Baker, 6th March 1769 : View
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To the Beauteous Miss Hoyland
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Horace Walpole Correspondence:
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The Ryse of Peyncteynge, yn Englande, Wroten bie T. Rowleie. 1469 for Mastre Canynge
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On King Richard 1st
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Horace Walpole Correspondence:
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Horace Walpole Correspondence:
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Historie of Peyncters yn Englande bie T. Rowley
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Ecca Byshoppe of Hereforde...[Two Verses]
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Elmar Byshoppe of Seseie...[a Speeche]
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Johne Seconde Abbate of Seyncte Austyns Mynsterre
his poem The Warre.
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Painter's Bill to Canynge
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Heraudyn. A Fragmente
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A Chronycalle of Brystowe wrote bie Raufe Chedder,
Chappmanne 1356
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Elegy 1 (Haste, haste, ye solemn messengers of night,)
Authentic at Lambert's
Phase 3 : 6 April 1769 - 23 April 1770
Horace Walpole - All Correspondence : View
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To Walpole, 8 April 1769
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To Walpole, 14 April 1769 (1st draft C.)
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To Walpole, 14 April 1769 (2nd draft B.)
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To Walpole, 14 April 1769 (3rd draft C. sent)
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Kenrick. Translated from the Saxon.
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Saxon Achievements
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Cerdick. Translated from the Saxon
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Englysh Metamorphosis : View
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The Tournament. An Interlude : View
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The Gouler's Requiem : View
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Elinoure and Juga :
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The Acconte of W. Canynges Feast
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Goddwyn. A Tragedie
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Eclogue the First
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Eclogue the Second
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Eclogue the Third
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Account of the Family of the De Berghams : View
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The Romance of the Knight (TP330)
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The Romaunte of the Cynghte*
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To Mr. Stephens, 20 July 1769
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To Mr. Holland
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Horace Walpole Correspondence
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To Walpole, 24th July 1769
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'Walpole! I thought not I should ever see'
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Clifton
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Godred Crovan
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Elegy on Mr. Wm. Smith
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Elegy on the Demise of a Great Genius
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Amphitryon. A Burletta
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Hobbinol and Thyrsis
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Journal 6th
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Horace Walpole Correspondence
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From Horace Walpole 4 Aug or 12 Oct 1769?
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'Intrest thou universal God of Men'
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Elegy, Written at Stanton Drew
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Conversation
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Elegy to the Memory of Mr. Thomas Phillips, of Fairford
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1st version 28th
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2nd version
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Elegy - 29 Octr.
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'Hervenis harping on the hackneyd Text'
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Epistle to Clayfield
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The Constabiliad
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Heroic Fragment
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Elegy 2
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The Hirlas 1
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The Complaint
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Antiquity of Christmas Games
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Epistle. To the Revd. Mr. Catcott : View
The Defence
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To Miss Lydia C---n
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A New Song
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The Articles of the Belief of me Thomas Chatterton : View
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The Advice. Addressed to Miss M**** R*****, of Bristol
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The Hirlas 2
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Astrea Brokage Letter
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Heccar and Gaira. An African Eclogue : View
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The Consuliad
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Anecdote of Chaucer
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The Unfortunate Fathers
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Sentiment
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The Methodist
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'If wishing for the mystic Joys of Love'
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February. An Elegy
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Decimus. To the Duke of G----n
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From Isaac Fell, 13 March 1770
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William Barrett Correspondence : View
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To Barrett, Feb or March 1770 : View
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March. An Elegy
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From Esther Saunders
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Fables for the Court
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The Hag
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Decimus. To the Princess of Gotham
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To Miss Hoyland 5
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To Miss Hoyland 6
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Hor. Lib. 1, OD. 19
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Hor. Lib. 1, OD. 5
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Kew Gardens
Authentic at Shoreditch
25 April 1770 - 31 May 1770
Sarah Chatterton Correspondence : View
The Candidates
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*Narva and Mored An African Eclogue 2 May 1770 : View
The Exhibition A Personal Satire : View
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A Song Addressed to Miss C----am
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Sarah Chatterton Correspondence
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Letter to Sarah Chatterton, & others, 6 May 1770
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Thomas Cary; Henry Kator; William Smith; Mrs Baker
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Matt Mease; Mr Thaire; Mr Rudhall; Mr Ward; Mr Gaster
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Mr Thomas; Mr Kator; Mr A. Broughton; Mr Carty
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Mr Smith, &c. &c. &c. Mr J. Broughton; Mr Hanmer;
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Mr Williams; Mr Vaughan
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To the Society at Spring Garden
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Decimus To the Earl of H-----h (Hillsborough)
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Decimus To the P----- D----- of W----- (Princess Dowager)
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Sarah Chatterton Correspondence : View
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To Sarah Chatterton 14 May
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Decimus. To the Prime Minister
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Libertas. A Card. To Od Slyboots
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Decimus. An Exhibition of Sign Paintings
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*Probus to the Lord Mayor : View
*O! Quickly may the Friendly Ruin Fall : View
(Elegy 3, to Maria)
Decimus. To the Freeholders of the City of Bristol
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Authentic at Brooke Street
1 June 1770 - 25 August 1770
The Death of Nicou, An African Eclogue : View
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Letter 6, A Hunter of Oddities : View
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Maria Friendless Letter
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Exhibition of Sign Paintings at the West End of Town
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Mary Chatterton Correspondence : View
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Speech of Sir John de Beauchamp
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The False Step, a Real History
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To Miss B-sh, of Bristol
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The Revenge, A Burletta : View
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A Bacchanalian sung by Mr Reinhold : View
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The Invitation to be sung by Mrs Barthelemoon....
A Bacchanalian : View
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The Virgin's Choice
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The Happy Pair
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Betsy of the Hill
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A Burlesque Cantata
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Burletta. The Woman of Spirit
Thomas Cary Correspondence ; View
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Thomas Cary, 1st July 1770 : View
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Genuine Copy of a Letter from the Earl of C--d to the...
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An Excelente Balade of Charitie
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Sarah Chatterton Correspondence : View
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Mary Chatterton Correspondence : View
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To Mary Chatterton, 20 July 1770 : View
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The Art of Puffing by a Bookseller's Journeyman
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An African Song : View
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Menenius. To William Lord M--d (Mansfield)
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George Catcott's Correspondence with Chatterton : View
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Decimus. To Dr. Newton Bishop of Bristol : View
The Happy Pair. A Tale
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Gorthmund. Translated from the Saxon.
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Colin Instructed
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John Rudhall and Mr Baster Correspondence : View
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To John Rudhall, n.d
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To Mr Baster.
(Damn the Muses I obinate them and all their Works)
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Impromptu on the Immortality of the Soul
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"Say, O my soul, if not allowed to be" : View
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To a Friend on his Intended Marriage
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The Resignation
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From an Unknown Girl, n.d.
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The Letter Paraphras'd
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To William Smith n.d. (signed Hasmot Tnchaorett)
WODA (Works of Doubtful Authenticity)
Taylor offers the following works for reconsideration as
potentially genuine works of Chatterton.
WODA at Colston's
3 August 1760 - 30 June 1767
On the Last Epiphany, or Christ Coming to Judgement : View
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The Churchwarden and the Apparition : View
I've let my Yard, and sold my Clay : View
WODA at Lambert's
1 August 1767 - 23 April 1770
A Card to John Wilkes, Esq : View
The Particulars of a Happy Government : View
Extract of a Letter from a Young Gentleman at Plymouth : View
[Definitely in Chatterton's hand]
On the Death of my Friend Mr Holland : View
A Hunter of Oddities, letter 1 : View
A Hunter of Oddities, letter 2 : View
A Hunter of Oddities, letter 3 : View
(Ye sordid wretches ! chain' d to rules)
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WODA at Shoreditch
25 April 1770 - 31 May 1770
WODA at Brooke Street
1 June 1770 - 25 August 1770
Anecdote of Lord Ch---d : View
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An Elegy on the Much Lamented Death : View
Anecdote on Judge Jeffries : View
Old Bailey Intelligence Extraordinary, for 1770 : View
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Letter 7 from a Hunter of Oddities : View
A Letter from Ninion L'Enclos in the Shades : View
Verax. To the L. B. of B : View
Atticus. To the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Bristol : View
Catalogue of Pictures Every Day Exhibited : View
Naked and Friendless to the World Expos'd : View
The Last Verses Written by Chatterton : View
(Farewell, Bristolia's dingy piles of brick,)
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Letter 8 from a Hunter of Oddities : View
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On the Origin, Nature, and Design of Sculpture : View
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Letter 9 from a Hunter of Oddities : View
Letter 10 from a Hunter of Oddities : View
Letter 11 from a Hunter of Oddities : View
Letter 12 from a Hunter of Oddities : View
One Hour after Marriage. A Tale : View
1771 The Happy Pair (The Flurrys) : View
1792 When that day of Death shall come : View
LOST WORKS - D. S. Taylor's Suggested List
Approximating to Chronological Order
Paraphrases of Job ix and Isaiah
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Satiric Lines on a Schoolmaster
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Letter to a Schoolmaster
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Ode to Lais
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Antiquities - Book 1st & 2nd
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Letter from Horace Walpole
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A Manx Tragedy
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Ode to Duke Harry
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To Isaac Fell,
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To Michael Clayfield
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Fragment of a Comedy or Farce
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A Briton. To Lord North.
The Moderator No. 1.
Probus. To the Earl of Bute.
Decimus. To the King.
Probus. 2d to the Lord Mayor.
Decimus (or Probus). To C. Jenkinson.
The Moderator. To Lord North.
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To Thomas Cary, 25th June
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To George Catcott 10 July 1770
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An Oratorio
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The Dowager. A Tragedy
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Sarah Chatterton Correspondence : View
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To Sarah Chatterton 20 August 1770 : View
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William Barrett Correspondence : View
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To William Barrett August 1770 : View
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The Flight.
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Elegy or Soliloquy of a Man in His Cell
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Martha Catcott Correspondence : View
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To Martha Catcott - Rose of Virginity unknown date
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Thomas Cary Correspondence : View
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To [Thomas Cary?] Unknown date
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A History of Portbury : Unknown Date
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Five Works : unknown dates
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Auntyaunte Coynes with the Hystoryee of Furste Coyninge by the Sexonne
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Historie of See and Church of Durham
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Lyfe of Byghtrycus
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[Annalles from King Byghtrycus to Byghtrickus the Erle.]
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Finyshynge of Turgotte toe the Reygnen of Esward the [Fourth].
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Justyce of the Peece : Unknown date
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[Dramatic Poem on Sir Charles Bawden.] Unknown
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[Verses to Miss Clark.] : Unknown
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Letter on Canynge : Unknown
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Chatterton Family Parchment : Unknown
Works Wrongly Attributed
* To be Reconsidered *
Approximating to Chronological Order
Translation of the 7th Ode of the Fourth Book of Horace
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A Dialogue between War and Peace
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Letter from Peele to Marlowe
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An Epistle from the Moon to the Earth
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Anecdote Taken from the Original Low Dutch
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A Morning Hymn
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Epigram. On the Majority and Minority
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The Origin of Surnames
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An Exhibition of Polite Arts: By Mr Ram's Eye
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Reason and Fashion
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The Retreat
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A Night Piece o Death (Not Chatterton)
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The Cuckow Traveller: An Original Fable
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Poor Richard's Maxims
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The Auction. A Poem
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Probus. On Sir George Colebrooke
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Exhibition of Pictures, Models, Statues etc.,
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Eleonora and Juga. By S.W.A. aged 16
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A Letter from a Gentleman at London to his Friend....
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Baron Otranto and Mrs, Heidelburgh
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Dick and Dolly: A Pastoral
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Alonzo to Celia
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The Lamentation of Liberty and Britannia, on the Death of the Right Honourable William Beckford, Esq.
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Mock Will of William Beckford
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To Mary Chatterton, 23rd July 1770.
Dix forgery. (Ms letter BPL) Unpublished - TP807
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Humorous Effects by Cross-reading the Newspapers.
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(An untitled Exhibition)
General Evening Post 28 August 1770. TP808
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A Remarkable Account of a Converted Jew
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The Last Will and Testament of Matthew Moonshine,
Prisoner in the Fleet.
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The Catskin Brothers
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Civis. On the Antiquity of the Bow
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Cutholf
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Eldred
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An Epigram
An Epitaph on an Old Maid
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The Gallery and School of Nature: a Vision.
To be checked probably a Dix hoax TP797
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George Catgut. The Ambitious Knight of the Spit...
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Love and Beauty...(See: On Mercy; To a Young Lady)
(Not Chatterton) TP801
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Metrical Epistle from Chatterton, the Poet, to a Lady
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On Mercy (See love and Beauty above) ​ TP802
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On Modern Fribblism
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Probus. To the Right Hon. the Earl of Dartmouth
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Sonnet, Supposed to be Written by Chatterton
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Suicide Note
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To a Young Lady
(See On Mercy, above) To be checked TP806
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Will Hell-Hot
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Wortigerne, A Playe (Not Chatterton)
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End.