Alexander Kerswell d.1644

Alexander KERSWELL d.1644

Biographical Note

Woollen draper, of the parish of St Nicholas, Bristol.

Books

Kerswell’s probate inventory included “two books of Martyrs” (presumably Foxe), valued at £3, and 16 individually listed titles together with “three French books”, collectively valued at £2 13s 10d. The listed books were all English imprints of the late 16th or early 17th century, and included popular historical works (e.g. Camden, Daniel, Josephus, Lefevre, Stow), devotional texts (e.g. Du Bartas, George Wither, John White) and a copy of Rastall’s Abridgement of the statutes. Additionally, there was a Bible and “a book of Doctor Lake’s” [Arthur Lake’s Sermons?], valued at 8s and 5s, which had both been “given to his son John”. All these books were listed as being in his study, which also contained a chair, two pairs of “playing tables”, and an “iland counter”. His total estate valuation was £59.

Characteristic Markings

None of Kerswell’s books have been identified.

Sources

• George, E. (ed), Bristol probate inventories 1542-1650, 2002, 98.