The Parochial History of Cornwall, Volume 1 (of 4)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

60555

Title

The Parochial History of Cornwall, Volume 1 (of 4)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This index serves as a navigational tool for 'The Parochial History of Cornwall,' guiding readers to specific entries on Cornish parishes, families, and historical figures within the text's four volumes.

Summary up to 500 words

The provided text serves as the concluding index and transcriber's notes for Volume I of *The Parochial History of Cornwall*, authored by Davies Gilbert. This comprehensive work documents the ecclesiastical, social, and geographical history of Cornish parishes. The content is structured alphabetically, covering a vast array of subjects including specific locations such as Zennar and Zennor parishes, notable families like the Yeo family of Trevassack and the Wynn family, and historical figures ranging from local rectors to national personalities like Prince Xantus and Xenophon. The text details the etymology, boundaries, soil composition, and mineral wealth (specifically tin) of various parishes, alongside information on church values, patrons, and incumbents. It also records genealogical data, arms, and anecdotes regarding individuals such as Captain Thomas Wylliams and Mr. Wymond. The narrative scope extends beyond local history to include references to broader historical events, such as the wars between York and Lancaster, naval engagements involving the Dutch fleet, and the architectural history of churches like St. Paulinus's in York and St. John Lateran in Rome. The work functions as both a statistical record—listing population figures, land taxes, and benefice values—and a cultural archive, preserving inscriptions on bells, geological observations by Dr. Boase, and literary translations. Significant attention is given to the textual integrity of the original manuscript. The transcriber notes that the book was written during an era of inconsistent spelling, which has been preserved to maintain historical accuracy. Corrections were made only for obvious printing errors, such as reversed letters or missing punctuation, while misspellings and archaic homonyms were left unchanged. Specific pen-and-ink corrections by an unknown hand, such as changing 'Penconnow' to 'Pencarrow', are documented but not integrated into the main text. The index reproduces entries from Volume 4 for reader convenience, acknowledging that page numbers may occasionally be missing in the original edition. Ultimately, this volume stands as a meticulous preservation of Cornish heritage, balancing rigorous historical data with the idiosyncrasies of its source material.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Science