Purslow, Norris (1673- )

Astrological diary of a Wapping clothier. On each page excluding those containing astrological tables-is a pen-drawn horoscopic figure. Though the diary seems to have been started c. 1690, when he 'first learned astrology', as stated in the entry for 1690, entries are given from the date of his birth, '16 January 1672/3'. They are given fully for the period 1688-1729. The latest entry is for 1737 '64 years compleat'. The MS. is lettered on the spine 'N.P., S.P.' and the second set of horoscopes is also lettered 'S.P.' It seems likely that the author originally intended to write up a similar astrological diary for his first wife Susan [1672-1716]. They do not appear to have been a very united couple, and most of the entries in this section are for N.P. He married his second wife Sarah in 1718. The entries are in irregular order, and in the second set of horoscopes there are sections for various years between 1710 and 1735.