The Thomas Chatterton Manuscript Project
All the Works
Chatterton handwritten Ms. see below for a transcript.
Introduction to The Works.
The aim here is to include the titles of all works, Authentic (including Correspondence), Doubtful, Debatable, Lost, Wrongly Attributed - call it what you will - but if it was linked with Chatterton it will be included. There will be caveats and these will be included too. So, basically, this will be the base point from which, going forward, we can examine every piece of work and add notes and links accordingly - what fun we will all have!
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 :
The manuscript receipt shown above, was written by Chatterton and given to George Catcott. It passed from Catcott to Richard Smith before it ended up at the Bristol Library.
The Ms. is very difficult to decipher, 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
--------------------------------------------------------------
Belongs to
Richard Smith [Surgeon] [annotation in black ink in the handwriting of Richard Smith]
The Complete Works of Thomas Chatterton
(Authentic (includes Correspondence), Lost, Doubtful, & Wrongly Attributed)
Note : The key to my progress 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.
The list is fully Searchable via your browser search function, or simply press ctrl+F.
Authentic Works
Colston's, 3 August 1760 - 30 June 1767
Chatterton Family Bible : View
A Hymn for Christmas Day : View
Authentic Works
Lambert's, phase 1, 1 Aug 1767 - 30 Sep 1768
Where Woodbines Hang their Dewy Heads : View
Bristows Tragedy or the Death of Sr Charles Bawdin : View
Aka: Ynn auntient Dayes, when Kenewalchyn Kynge, & Sancte Warbur.
Theere was a Broder of Orderys Whyte : View
Theere was a Broder of Orderys Blacke : View
In the Merry Merye Vale : View
Includes :
The Battle of Hastynges 1 : View
The Unknown Knyght or The Tournament : View
A Brief Account of William Cannings : View
Includes:
Authentic Works
Lambert's, phase 2, 1 Oct 1768 - 5 Apr 1769
The Mayor's first Passing over the Old Bridge : View
Songe of Saincte Werburgh : View
Song of Sayncte Baldwyn : View
Rowley's Printing Press : View
To John Ladgate (5a) : View
-
Songe to Ella (5b) : View
-
John Ladgate's Answer (5c) : View
The Parlyamente of Sprytes : View
-
On the Dedication of St. Mary's Church : View
Ǽlla: A Tragycal Enterlude, or Discoorsenyge Tragedie : View
-
Epistel to Mastre Canynge on Ǽlla : View
-
Letter to the Dynge Mastre Canynge : View
James Dodsley Correspondence : View
Horace Walpole Correspondence : View
Yellowe Rolle:
-
Of the Auntiaunt Forme of Monies.
-
Englandes Glorye Revyved.
[Purple Rolle]
-
Explayneals of the Annexed Yellowe Rolle
Byrtonne
The Merrie Tricks of Laymyngetowne
[Mass Book Inscription] (a)
-
Tower Gate (b)
-
Hardinge (c)
Rowley's Collection for Canynge:
-
The Gate of Sayncte Marye
-
Auntyant Monuments
-
Three Ancient Monuments
-
Waterre Gate
Bristol Castle
Seyncte Maries Chyrche of the Porte
-
Epitaph on Robert Canynge'
Four Letters on Warwyke'
Nine Deeds and Proclamations
Abstracts from Letters
Three Rowley Letters
The Rolle of Seyncte Bartlemeweis Priorie
Fragment of a Sermon
Knightes Templaries Chyrche
Chronical 1340-1374
The Chyrche Oratorie of the Calendaryes
Three Tombs
Note to Map of Bristol
Extracts from Speght's Chaucer
To Miss C___,
-
On Hearing Her Play on the Harpsichord
To Mr Powell
Nine Poems to Hoyland, & Clarke:
-
Seven to Eleanor Hoyland
-
Two to Sally Clarke
Letter from John Baker, 5 January 1769
On the Death of Mr. Tandey
On Mr. Broderip's Excellent Performance
On Mr. Alcock of Bristol
To Ralph Bigland
Saxon Tincture
From John Baker, 18th February 1769
Lyfe of W: Canynge
-
The Worlde
Elle's Coffin
Rowley's Heraldic Account of Bristol Artists & Writers
-
On Fitz Hardynge;
-
On Richard 1;
-
On Happinenesse;
-
On Johne a Dalbenie
-
The Storie of Wyllyam Canynge
Churches of Bristol
Fragmentes of Anticquitie
The Court Mantle
Ethelgar. A Saxon Poem
To John Baker, 6th March 1769
To the Beauteous Miss Hoyland
Painter's Bill to Canynge
Heraudyn. A Fragmente
A Chronycalle of Brystowe
Elegy 1
Authentic Works
Lambert's, phase 3, 6 Apr 1769 - 23 Apr 1770
1. Horace Walpole - All Correspondence : View
Kenrick
Saxon Achievements
Cerdick
Englysh Metamorphosis
The Tournament. An Interlude
The Gouler's Requiem
Elinoure and Juga
The Acconte of W. Canynges Feast
Goddwyn. A Tragedie
Eclogue the First
Eclogue the Second
Eclogue the Third
Account of the Family of the De Berghams
-
The Romance of the Knight (TP330)
-
The Romaunte of the Cynghte* (TP330)
To Mr. Stephens, 20 July 1769
To Mr. Holland
To Horace Walpole, 24th July 1769
'Walpole! I thought not I should ever see'
Clifton
Godred Crovan
Elegy on Mr. Wm. Smith
Elegy on the Demise of a Great Genius
Amphitryon. A Burletta
Hobbinol and Thyrsis
Journal 6th
From Horace Walpole
'Intrest thou universal God of Men'
Elegy, Written at Stanton Drew
Conversation
Elegy to the Memory of Mr. Thomas Phillips, of Fairford
Elegy - 29 Octr.
'Hervenis harping on the hackneyd Text'
Epistle to Clayfield
The Constabiliad
Heroic Fragment
Elegy 2
The Hirlas 1
The Complaint
Antiquity of Christmas Games
Epistle. To the Revd. Mr. Catcott : View
The Defence
To Miss Lydia C---n
A New Song
The Articles of the Belief of me Thomas Chatterton : View
The Advice
The Hirlas 2
Astrea Brokage Letter
Heccar and Gaira. An African Eclogue
The Consuliad
Anecdote of Chaucer
The Unfortunate Fathers
Sentiment
The Methodist
'If wishing for the mystic Joys of Love'
February. An Elegy
Decimus. To the Duke of G----n
From Isaac Fell, 13 March 1770
To William Barrett, Feb or March 1770
March. An Elegy
From Esther Saunders
Fables for the Court
The Hag
Decimus. To the Princes of Gotham
To Miss Hoyland 5
To Miss Hoyland 6
Hor. Lib. 1, OD. 19
Hor. Lib. 1, OD. 5
Kew Gardens
Authentic Works
Shoreditch, 25 Apr - 31 May 1770
Letter to Sarah Chatterton 26th April 1770 : View
The Candidates
*Narva and Mored An African Eclogue 2 May 1770 : View
The Exhibition A Personal Satire : View
A Song Addressed to Miss C----am
Letter to Sarah Chatterton, Cary & others, 6 May 1770
To the Society at Spring Garden
Decimus To the Earl of H-----h
Decimus To the P----- D----- of W-----
Letter to Sarah Chatterton 14 May
Decimus. To the Prime Minister
Libertas. A Card. To Od Slyboots
Decimus. An Exhibition of Sign Paintings
*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
To Mary Chatterton 30 May 1770 : View
Authentic Works
Brooke Street, 1 June - 25 Aug 1770
The Death of Nicou, An African Eclogue : View
Letter 6, A Hunter of Oddities : View
Maria Friendless Letter
Exhibition of Sign Paintings at the West End of Town
Letters to Mary Chatterton 19 & 29 June 1770 : View
Speech of Sir John de Beauchamp
The False Step, a Real History
To Miss B-sh, of Bristol
The Revenge, A Burletta : View
A Bacchanalian sung by Mr Reinhold
The Invitation to be sung by Mrs Barthelemoon....
A Bacchanalian
The Virgin's Choice
The Happy Pair
Betsy of the Hill
A Burlesque Cantata
Burletta. The Woman of Spirit
To Thomas Cary, 1st July 1770
Genuine Copy of a Letter from the Earl of C--d to the...
An Excelente Balade of Charitie
Letter to Sarah Chatterton, 8 July 1770 : View
Letter to Mary Chatterton, 11 July 1770 : View
Letter to Mary Chatterton 20 July 1770 : View
The Art of Puffing by a Bookseller's Journeyman
An African Song
Menenius. To William Lord M--d
From George Catcott, 8 August 1770 : View
To George Catcott, 12 August 1770 : View
Decimus. To Dr. Newton Bishop of Bristol : View
The Happy Pair. A Tale
Gorthmund
Colin Instructed
To John Rudhall and Baster, n.d
Impromptu on the Immortality of the Soul
To a Friend on his Intended Marriage
The Resignation
From an Unknown Girl, n.d. The Letter Paraphras'd
To William Smith n.d.
Works of Doubtful Authenticity ?
(Woda)
(Potentially Genuine Works of Chatterton)
Woda at Colston's School
On the Last Epiphany, or Christ Coming to Judgement : View
The Churchwarden and the Apparition : View
I've let my Yard, and sold my Clay : View
Woda at Lambert's
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
Woda at Brooke Street
Anecdote of Lord Ch---d : View
An Elegy on the Much Lamented Death : View
Anecdote on Judge Jeffries : View
Old Bailey Intelligence Extraordinary, for 1770 : View
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
Letter 8 from a Hunter of Oddities : View
On the Origin, Nature, and Design of Sculpture : View
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
1792 When that day of Death shall come : View
All Lost Works
(according to D.S.Taylor)
Approximating to Chronological Order
Paraphrases of Job ix and Isaiah
Satiric Lines on a Schoolmaster
Letter to a Schoolmaster
Ode to Lais
Antiquities - Book 1st & 2nd
Letter from Horace Walpole
A Manx Tragedy
Ode to Duke Harry
To Isaac Fell,
To Michael Clayfield
Fragment of a Comedy or Farce
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.
To Thomas Cary, 25th June
To George Catcott 10 July 1770
An Oratorio
The Dowager. A Tragedy
To Sarah Chatterton 20 August 1770
To William Barrett August 1770
The Flight.
Elegy or Soliloquy of a Man in His Cell
To Martha Catcott - Rose of Virginity unknown date
To [Thomas Cary?] Unknown date
A History of Portbury : Unknown Date
Auntyaunte Coynes with the Hystoryee of Furste Coyninge by the Sexonne.
Historie of See and Church of Durham. Lyfe of Byghtrycus
[Annalles from King Byghtrycus to Byghtrickus the Erle.]
Finyshynge of Turgotte toe the Reygnen of Esward the [Fourth]
Unknown Date.
Justyce of the Peece : Unknown
[Dramatic Poem on Sir Charles Bawden.] Unknown TP782
[Verses to Miss Clark.] : Unknown TP782
Letter on Canynge : Unknown TP783
Chatterton Family Parchment : Unknown TP783
All Works Wrongly Attributed to Chatterton?
*Up for Reconsideration*
Approximating to Chronological Order
Translation of the 7th Ode of the Fourth Book of Horace
A Dialogue between War and Peace
Letter from Peele to Marlowe
An Epistle from the Moon to the Earth
Anecdote Taken from the Original Low Dutch
A Morning Hymn
Epigram. On the Majority and Minority
The Origin of Surnames
An Exhibition of Polite Arts: By Mr Ram's Eye
Reason and Fashion
The Retreat
A Night Piece o Death (Not Chatterton)
The Cuckow Traveller: An Original Fable
Poor Richard's Maxims
The Auction. A Poem
Probus. On Sir George Colebrooke
Exhibition of Pictures, Models, Statues etc.,
Eleonora and Juga. By S.W.A. aged 16
A Letter from a Gentleman at London to his Friend....
Baron Otranto and Mrs, Heidelburgh
Dick and Dolly: A Pastoral
Alonzo to Celia
The Lamentation of Liberty and Britannia, on the Death of the Right Honourable William Beckford, Esq.
Mock Will of William Beckford
To Mary Chatterton, 23rd July 1770.
Dix forgery. (Ms letter BPL) Unpublished - TP807
Humorous Effects by Cross-reading the Newspapers.
(An untitled Exhibition)
27. General Evening Post 28/7/1770. TP808
A Remarkable Account of a Converted Jew
The Last Will and Testament of Matthew Moonshine,
Prisoner in the Fleet.
The Catskin Brothers
Civis. On the Antiquity of the Bow
Cutholf
Eldred
An Epigram
An Epitaph on an Old Maid
The Gallery and School of Nature: a Vision.
36. To be checked confusing (poss Dix hoax) TP797
George Catgut. The Ambitious Knight of the Spit...
Love and Beauty...(See: On Mercy; To a Young Lady)
38. (Not Chatterton) TP801
Metrical Epistle from Chatterton, the Poet, to a Lady
On Mercy (See love and Beauty above) TP802
On Modern Fribblism
Probus. To the Right Hon. the Earl of Dartmouth
Sonnet, Supposed to be Written by Chatterton
Suicide Note
To a Young Lady
45. (See On Mercy, above) To be checked TP806
Will Hell-Hot
Wortigerne, A Playe (Not Chatterton)
The End.