Abraham Farley
Encyclopedia
Abraham Farley was a lifelong civil servant, who was appointed deputy chamberlain of the Exchequer
in 1736, and soon became involved with the public records at the Chapter House of Westminster Abbey
. First amongst these was the Domesday Book
, of which Farley became custodian, granting visiting antiquaries access to the Book and making transcripts for a fee. In 1753 he was approached by Philip Carteret Webb
to make a transcript from the Domesday Book; this he did, and, perhaps in return for Webb’s help in raising awareness of Domesday’s importance, waived the usual fee - two years later Webb’s paper on the Book was read to the Society of Antiquaries of London
(See main article
).
In later life Farley was to produce the first printed edition of Domesday Book, which was then much in demand. Following a Parliamentary order in 1767, Farley was appointed co-editor of the Domesday printing project in 1770, alongside Charles Morton
of the British Museum
.
In his Literary Anecdotes of the eighteenth century the printer John Nichols
remarked that Morton and Farley’s relationship was characterised by rivalry and mistrust. Farley, whom Nichols called “of all men the properest person for so important a trust” due to his “long and intimate acquaintance with the original record” , evidently considered himself best fitted to produce the landmark work. Farley eventually cut Morton out altogether, pressing ahead with the work with Nichols’ co-operation. Farley received payment to the tune of £2,500 for his services.
Although it seems that he was not otherwise active on the antiquarian scene, Farley’s crucial role in producing the first complete printed edition of Domesday Book is enough to secure his place in history.
Exchequer
The Exchequer is a government department of the United Kingdom responsible for the management and collection of taxation and other government revenues. The historical Exchequer developed judicial roles...
in 1736, and soon became involved with the public records at the Chapter House of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
. First amongst these was the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
, of which Farley became custodian, granting visiting antiquaries access to the Book and making transcripts for a fee. In 1753 he was approached by Philip Carteret Webb
Philip Carteret Webb
Philip Carteret Webb was an English barrister, involved with the 18th-century antiquarian movement.He became a member of the London Society of Antiquaries in 1747, and as its lawyer, was responsible for securing the incorporation of the Society in 1751...
to make a transcript from the Domesday Book; this he did, and, perhaps in return for Webb’s help in raising awareness of Domesday’s importance, waived the usual fee - two years later Webb’s paper on the Book was read to the Society of Antiquaries of London
Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society "charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'." It is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London , and is...
(See main article
Publications of the Domesday book since 1086
The Domesday Book is the record of the great survey of England completed in 1086, executed for William I of England. This article is about the various ways the Domesday Book was published, beginning in the eighteenth century...
).
In later life Farley was to produce the first printed edition of Domesday Book, which was then much in demand. Following a Parliamentary order in 1767, Farley was appointed co-editor of the Domesday printing project in 1770, alongside Charles Morton
Charles Morton (librarian)
Charles Morton MD was an English medical doctor and librarian who became the principal librarian of the British Museum.-Life:Morton first attended Leiden University from September 18, 1736. Some time before 1745, he moved to Kendal, Westmoreland, where he practiced as a physician...
of the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
.
In his Literary Anecdotes of the eighteenth century the printer John Nichols
John Nichols (printer)
John Nichols was an English printer, author and antiquary.-Early life and apprenticeship:He was born in Islington, London to Edward Nichols and Anne Wilmot. On 22 June 1766 he married Anne Cradock daughter of William Cradock...
remarked that Morton and Farley’s relationship was characterised by rivalry and mistrust. Farley, whom Nichols called “of all men the properest person for so important a trust” due to his “long and intimate acquaintance with the original record” , evidently considered himself best fitted to produce the landmark work. Farley eventually cut Morton out altogether, pressing ahead with the work with Nichols’ co-operation. Farley received payment to the tune of £2,500 for his services.
Although it seems that he was not otherwise active on the antiquarian scene, Farley’s crucial role in producing the first complete printed edition of Domesday Book is enough to secure his place in history.