Catalogue description Scrapbook compiled by William C. Shorto, land surveyor of Midhurst, containing notes, cuttings, and illustrations relating to the Cobden family and to the Borough of Midhurst

Subjects covered include (i) the death and funeral of Richard Cobden, April 1865, the erection of Cobden memorials at Midhurst, Manchester, and London, and the history of the Cobden family; (ii) the construction and opening of the Chichester and Midhurst branch of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway, 1865-1881; (iii) the history of Midhurst including the burial ground, Coppit Hall, grammar school, pest house, and Volunteer Rifle Corps, 1867-1896; (iv) the electoral history of the Borough of Midhurst, 1868-1885; and (v) the death and funeral of Charles George Perceval, 7th Earl of Egmont, of Cowdray House, September 1897

The volume also contains extracts from the poll tax, hearth tax, and lay subsidy returns for Midhurst, 1295-1671, and an account of the legend of the "Cowdray Curse"

(1 vol. Indexed)

Enclosed: 1814. An Inventory of the Contents of the Feoffee Chest of the Town of Midhurst. This comprises a list of deeds, court books, account books, maps and plans relating to Midhurst and District, 1428-1812, originally compiled by William Barlow, Town Warden, in March 1814, and copied by William Shorto in 1881

For a printed copy of the original inventory see Add Mss 24,109

This volume is the second of a two-volume series. There is no information as to the whereabouts of the first volume.