US-RNR-ms0026 Guide to the Metrical History of Christianityundated Finding aid prepared by Phoebe Bean, Elizabeth Delmage

Redwood Library and Athenaeum
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2015-08-01 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2015-08-01 English Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) Metrical History of Christianity RLC.Ms.Bound.0026 Redwood Library and Athenaeum
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English 0.15 linear feet Poem, known as the "Metrical History of Christianity," written by Edward Taylor (1642-1729), a colonial poet, physician and pastor. English. Taylor, Edward, 1642-1729 Metrical History of Christianity, undated Biographical note

Rev. Edward Taylor (1642-1729) was born at Scetchley, Leicestershire, England, and was first educated at Cambridge University. After Taylor refused to sign the Act of Uniformity of 1662, an oath required of all dissenters after the restoration of King Charles II (1630-1685), he immigrated to Boston. He kept a detailed journal from the time he departed England, which has been published as The Diary of Edward Taylor, edited by Francis Murphy (Springfield, Mass., 1964). Taylor attended Harvard College and then became the pastor and physician of Westfield, Massachusetts, where he remained until his death. He was a vocal supporter of the Halfway Covenant of 1662, along with Increase and Cotton Mather. He is best known for his spiritual poetry and theological beliefs.

 Collection information

This collection is comprised of one volume with a poem written by Edward Taylor known as the "Metrical History of Christianity." This volume is over four hundred pages long and is vellum-bound with leather ties.

This collection is owned by the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Special Collections Librarian of the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.

Access is open to members and researchers at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.

Metrical History of Christianity, RLC.Ms.Bound.0026, Redwood Library and Athenaeum.

This collection is arranged in chronological order.

 Administrative information

Gift of Roderick Terry, Jr.

Prior to processing in 2014, this volume was classified as: sc ml 4 .T21.

This bound manuscript was found in the attic of a house in Enfield, Connecticut, once owned by John Taylor, the grandson of Edward Taylor. It was purchased by Rev. Roderick Terry (1849-1933), the great-great-great grandson of Edward Taylor, in 1905. Terry and scholar Donald E. Sanford both independently identified the handwriting and prose as that of Edward Taylor.

 Additional information Stanford, Donald E. "Edward Taylor's Metrical History of Christianity." American Literature Vol. 33, no. 3 (November 1961): 279-295. Subjects Christianity--History Church history--Poetry Religion and poetry--18th century Types of Materials Poetry RIAMCO Browsing Term Religion Metrical History of Christianity RLC.Ms.Bound.0026 undated