Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1731-1973 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
852 files
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Late in life, Neville mutilated the diaries and letters, apparently in an attempt to remove compromising or politically embarrassing matter. Many of the excised passages were later restored by Francis Howes. On Neville's death in 1840 his papers passed to a neighbour, Revd Francis Howes (d 1844), a Minor Canon of Norwich Cathedral. Howes transcribed the early diaries and some of the correspondence, afterwards destroying the originals. In this list, unless otherwise stated, transcripts of documents are by Howes. From Howes' son the papers passed to the antiquary Hargrave Harrison. On his death in 1896 they were purchased by L.G. Bolingbroke and from his family they came to Basil Cozens-Hardy. Sylas Neville was born in 1741, apparently in London. In 1768-1769 he came to Great Yarmouth and settled at Scratby Hall. The years 1772-1776 were spent mainly in Edinburgh where he qualified as a doctor of medicine. 1777-1780 were spent in foreign travel, mainly in Italy. On his return, after visits to London, Edinburgh etc., he settled at Norwich in 1783 and there spent the rest of his life, intending to practise medicine but in fact subsisting increasingly on charity and the proceeds of begging letters. He died in 1840.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Received by the Norfolk Record Office on 3 and 10 October 1974 (MS 21546 numbered MC 7/1-852).
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Diaries, letter books, accounts, MS and papers relating to Sylas Neville, with other letters etc. of Douglas family, John Gifford and Miscellaneous.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Number not used: MC 7/472
Previously listed as MS 21546.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
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Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
The diaries were edited and published by Mr Cozens-Hardy in 1950 ('The Diary of Sylas Neville 1767-1788', Oxford University Press), save the foreign diary, 1777-1780, which was prepared for publication (see MC 7/26) but not in fact published. It is summarised on pp. 257-264 of the published diary.
Notes area
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Description control area
Description identifier
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Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Catalogued
Dates of creation revision deletion
Created 30/10/2004 by Droip. Modified 15/08/2019 by Catherine.Collins.