Purslow, Norris (1673- )

Astrological diary of a Wapping clothier. On each page excluding those containing astrological tables-is a pen-drawn horoscopic figure. Though the diary seems to have been started c. 1690, when he 'first learned astrology', as stated in the entry for 1690, entries are given from the date of his birth, '16 January 1672/3'. They are given fully for the period 1688-1729. The latest entry is for 1737 '64 years compleat'. The MS. is lettered on the spine 'N.P., S.P.' and the second set of horoscopes is also lettered 'S.P.' It seems likely that the author originally intended to write up a similar astrological diary for his first wife Susan [1672-1716]. They do not appear to have been a very united couple, and most of the entries in this section are for N.P. He married his second wife Sarah in 1718. The entries are in irregular order, and in the second set of horoscopes there are sections for various years between 1710 and 1735.

c. 1690-1737

1 volume 160 ll. 8vo. 18 × 12 cm. Original panelled calf binding. Front board detached.

Purchased 1924.

The compiler gives many details of his private and business life, with particular mention of illnesses and misfortunes. In all cases, the events are related to the astrological significance of the date and time. In 1703 he mentions 'Our Astrologicall Club, Tower Hill' of which he became President in 1734. He seems to have been a Quaker, and certainly went to a Quaker boarding school at Wapping in 1688. Some time after this, in 1689-1693, he wrote some religious controversial tracts, but later devoted his time to astrology, and published some 'Astrological Bills' and gave a lecture on the subject in 1734.

There are several references to Mr. Partridge, an astrologer who died in 1717: he cannot therefore be the John Partridge [1644-1715] who was the subject of Swift's famous 'Bickerstaffe' pamphlets.

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973).