Heywood Manuscript facts for kids

The Heywood Manuscript is a special collection of handwritten letters and poems from the Heywood family and their friends. It was finished in 1798. This collection helps us understand what life was like for them a long time ago.

Many of the letters and poems were written by Nessy Heywood and her brother, Peter Heywood. Peter likely helped put this collection together to remember his sister Nessy. Nessy was very supportive of Peter during a difficult time when he was involved with the famous Mutiny on the Bounty. She worked hard to help him, but sadly, she passed away when she was very young.

What is the Heywood Manuscript?

The Heywood Manuscript is like a personal diary and letter collection from the past. It includes copies of letters and poems. These writings give us a peek into the thoughts and feelings of the Heywood family. They also tell us about their daily lives and the important events they experienced.

Different Copies of the Manuscript

There are five known copies of this special manuscript. Each copy was made for different members of the Heywood family. This shows how important these writings were to them.

• Two copies are owned by private collectors.
• Three copies are kept in public libraries, so people can study them:
  • Manx National Heritage Library on the Isle of Man
  • Newberry Library in Chicago, USA
  • State Library of New South Wales in Australia

The Manx National Heritage Copy

The copy at the Manx National Heritage Library is a large collection. It has many small books and loose pages. It contains 184 different documents, like letters and poems. Some parts are missing, but it still offers a lot of information.

Most of the documents in this copy are from between 1790 and 1793. They talk a lot about Peter Heywood's connection to the Mutiny on the Bounty. This was a famous event where sailors took control of a ship. The manuscript shares details about what happened to Peter afterwards.

Over the years, this manuscript changed hands a few times. In 1996, the Manx National Heritage Library bought it. They brought it back to the Isle of Man, which was the Heywood family's home.

The New South Wales State Library Copy

The copy at the New South Wales State Library might have been put together by Nessy's older sister, Mary Heywood. It is believed that Mary wrote her name on the first page. It seems Mary later gave this manuscript to her niece, Elizabeth Fleetwood. Elizabeth was the daughter of Mary and Nessy's youngest brother, Edwin Holwell.

This shows how the manuscript stayed within the family. It was passed down through generations.

Why is it Important?

The Heywood Manuscript is very important for several reasons:

• It gives us a direct look into the lives of people in the late 1700s.
• It provides personal details about the famous Mutiny on the Bounty.
• It shows the strong bond between Peter and Nessy Heywood. Nessy's support for her brother is a key part of the story.
• It helps historians and researchers understand more about that time period.

The manuscript is a valuable historical treasure. It helps us connect with the past through the words of those who lived it.