17th Century Handwriting
17th-century documents are slightly more common in Special Collections than their 16th-century counterparts. During this period, some of the more recognizable and legible hands—the Round Hand and the Running Hand—began to emerge.
Manual: A Tutor to Penmanship by John Ayres
Published by John Ayres of London, England in 1698, A Tutor to Penmanship shows the development of distinct hands, many of which will appear more familiar to modern readers. Ayers's volume was intended as an instruction tool for secretaries, clerks, and laymen alike, making it the perfect tool for decoding 17th-century handwriting.
- A Tutor to Penmanship, John Ayres Select Pages. A tutor to penmanship: or, The writing master, a copy book shewing all the variety of penmanship and clerkship as now practised in England. In II parts / by John Ayres. Mortimer Rare Book Collection, Oversize Z43 .A5 A97, Smith College Special Collections, Northampton, Massachusetts.
Example: Daniel Eames's Petition for Release, 1692
Written in 1692 by Daniel Eames of Boxford, Massachusetts, this petition contains Eames's appeal for release from jail. Eames was imprisoned as an accused witch during the infamous Salem Witch Trails, but was released so that he could provide for his wife and children.
- [Petition] 1692 Dec. 5, Salem Prison [to] Sir Wm Phipps / Danll Eames. [Petition] 1692 Dec. 5, Salem Prison [to] Sir Wm Phipps / Danll Eames. Miscellaneous Manuscripts, Mortimer Rare Book Collection, MiscMS 248, Smith College Special Collections, Northampton, Massachusetts.
