[John Brough Taylor, antiquary and editor.] Autograph Letter Signed (John Taylor Jr') to the Durham antiquary Robert Surtees

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Addressed, with postmarks and red wax seal, on reverse of first leaf 'To | Rob. Surtees, Esq | Mainsforth | Rushyford | Durham.' A long letter, closely and neatly written, and filled with genealogical information. The beginning of the letter sets the tone: 'Your packet containing Conyers evidences &c reached me on Saturday, & after tomorrow it shall have my undivided attention till completed as far as I can go - I expected the Palatine Records would have done more towards establishing the early descent, and under this impression have bounded much of my attention to below the match with

- nevertheless I know almost where every ped: of Conyers is to be found in the Harleian & College Collections & can soon take up what you may have overlooked. I suppose you will accept Glovers pedigrees for so much even where they are deficient of laboured proof.' Other families discussed include those of Tailboys and Fitzralph. He provides a short pedigree indicating that 'the quarterings of Frevile as arranged by Dugdale in Ao 1666 are wrong [...] And in consequence it follows that my fine Shield of the Surtees quarterings is put out of joint by this discovery! [...] There are more errors in the Heraldry of Dugdale's visitation than any of his predecessors & yet the man is worshipped almost to idolatry by most folks!' The last paragraph concerns the doings of 'Mr. Raine' and 'Andrews'.