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Did you know famous surveyor Jeremiah Dixon began his career working for the Raby estates? In this blogpost we find out more, with our Archivist Joseph Reed.

Jeremiah Dixon (1733-1779), famous Cockfield-born surveyor and scientist, is one of South Durham’s best known historical figures. The Mason-Dixon Line was drawn in the 1760s by Jeremiah, working with Charles Mason, to resolve a historic border dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Line became one of the most famous and significant political boundaries in the World, dividing the Southern and Northern states of the USA in the American Civil War.

Raby’s role in Dixon’s early career as a surveyor is relatively little known, but new research and discoveries during cataloguing of the archives at Raby Castle have identified that Dixon began his career as a surveyor working right here in Raby Park. Joseph Reed, Raby’s Archivist, working with Dixon researcher Jonathan Peacock, was able to make the recent identifications of a number of previously unknown plans by Dixon. Although possible partly through a comparison of Dixon’s artistic style and handwriting, the key to the most important discoveries lay within the archives themselves.

Joseph explained the challenges along the way: “It is very difficult to be certain when identifying a work to a particular individual if they didn’t sign it, and Jeremiah didn’t sign all of these plans. These discoveries were only possible through some good fortune and keen detective work. The first plan (1) identified was one hiding in plain sight; it does not look at all like Jeremiah’s usual artistically beautiful survey plans as it is a working survey drawing of Raby Park.

(1) Dixon’s Survey Plan of Raby Park, 1761 (MR 1159)

“We knew Dixon had undertaken a survey of the park because the corresponding documents had survived (2). Hundreds of surveys of parts of Raby’s estates have been taken over several centuries, as a key part of land management, but only a few of the actual measurement records of all of those surveys have survived in the archives. It just so happens that one of those few is for this plan, and for some reason the land agent recorded on the papers that Jeremiah Dixon had undertaken the survey.

(2) Dixon’s Survey Papers, 1761 (MR 495_28)

“We presumed the plan itself was long-since lost or destroyed. I was looking for plans which showed Raby gardens (for a recent exhibition on Raby’s Walled Gardens) and I recognised the numbers from Dixon’s corresponding survey documents which I had photographed a few weeks earlier.

“When it came to the second plan (3), initially I noticed that aspects of it closely resembled the newly-identified Dixon plan, and it appeared there may be some kind of connection between the two. The plan also exhibits some other tell-tale signs of Dixon’s beautiful draughtsmanship, including fine drawing and exquisite calligraphy. The story might have ended there, with no further evidence to link the plan to Dixon. The key discovery came when I spotted an entry in the financial ledgers for the commissioning of the drawing of two plans from Jeremiah: ‘1759, Dec 20th: Jere Dixon – Drawing two Plans a greater & Less of Raby Castle Park.'”

(3) Dixon’s ‘Plan of Raby Castle with Part of the Park &c’ (MR 823_6)

Joseph called on the expertise and opinion of Jonathan Peacock, who has been researching Jeremiah Dixon for fifteen years. Jonathan facilitated the major 2013 exhibition on Jeremiah Dixon at the Bowes Museum, and has travelled to America undertaking research and lecturing on Dixon. Jonathan commented on seeing the plans and associated papers: “With more than 20 maps drawn by Jeremiah over nearly 20 years, one can clearly see the honing of his skills as a surveyor and cartographer. It is particularly exciting to see these early maps, which extend the data-base of known work by Jeremiah.”

Joseph added: “These remarkable discoveries have only been possible through significant progress in cataloguing Raby’s archives. After a number of years’ work to complete a survey of the archives’ contents, efforts are now being focused on digging ‘below the surface’ to understand the contents of the records, and make new discoveries and reveal stories yet to be told. This is a really exciting time for Raby’s archives.”

About the significance of these recent discoveries to our understanding of Dixon’s life and work, Jonathan remarked: “his contribution to the Age of Enlightenment is assured, and his consummate artistry matches that of any of the members in this extremely artistic and talented family.”

These newly identified plans, along with other materials from the Dixon family’s long association with Raby and the Vane family, will be shown by the Archivist at a dedicated ‘Exploring the Archives’ session to coincide with the 4th of July. More details for the event can be found here: Exploring the Archives: New Dixon Discoveries

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The Treasure Houses is a collection of ten important houses across the country dedicated to bringing their history and collections to a wider audience and Raby Castle is now the eleventh member.

Lord Barnard, owner of Raby Castle said: “The castle has a long history – these walls have seen the plotting of the Rising of the North, a Parliamentary stronghold in the Civil War and as the birthplace to the mother of Richard III and Edward IV.

“It is the centre of the largely intact ducal estate of the former Dukes of Cleveland, who built up a significant collection of works of art. My wife and I are determined to make that collection even more accessible.

“It is a tremendous privilege that our family home is now part of the Treasure Houses of England and we look forward to working with and learning from the other ten forward-looking owners and their teams.”

After inheriting Raby in 2016, Lord and Lady Barnard have been committed to opening up Raby more widely and welcoming both local, national and international visitors following a three-year development and restoration programme in which several historic buildings were returned to their former glory. The 18th century Walled Gardens were also remodelled by renowned garden and landscape designer Luciano Giubbilei with Lady Barnard.

Regarding the Treasure Houses of England invitation, Lady Barnard said: “I’m immensely proud that we are standing side by side with such notable houses and collections. My husband’s forebears assembled a wonderful collection within the castle and deeply loved the surrounding countryside. I think it is a worthy feather in the cap for the North East of England.”

Victoria Howard, custodian of Castle Howard and chair of the Treasure Houses Group said: “The Treasure Houses work closely together to benchmark and share best practice as visitor attractions and custodians of natural and built heritage. The properties cover the length and breadth of Britain and we are delighted that Raby has joined this group, following their significant recent developments and investment in their offer to visitors.”

Raby Castle re-opened to the public on Saturday 1st March following its annual winter maintenance and conservation programme to showcase its collection to visitors for the 2025 season and is now welcoming visitors seven days a week for the first time in its history.

Guided tours are available for visitors to gain expert insight into the Medieval, Regency and Victorian interiors alongside Raby’s extensive collection of art, textiles and furniture which dates from the 17th to the 21st century.

Raby Castle, its Deer Park which is home to red and fallow deer and the 18th century Walled Gardens are currently open daily. Raby also hosts a wide variety of seasonal events and workshops throughout the year.

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Historic Houses Garden of the Year 2025

The Garden of the Year Award, sponsored by Christie’s, recognises the importance of some of the country’s most spectacular gardens with outstanding horticultural and public appeal.

We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for this incredible award, recognising the beauty behind the beautiful 18th Century Walled Gardens, recently remodelled by renowned garden designer Luciano Giubbilei with Lady Barnard.

Together, they have laboured to create a stunning 5-acre vision, including the Estate’s well-known Yew hedges and the iconic Raby Fig.

TO VOTE FOR RABY CASTLE, PARK AND GARDENS

Public voting starts from the 1st April until 31st August 2025.

Group Leisure and Travel Awards – Best Historic Attraction

We’re also honoured to be nominated for the Best Historic Attraction alongside some of the UK’s most iconic sites: Belvoir Castle, Blenheim Palace, Dover Castle, Leeds Castle, Tower of London, and Windsor Castle.

Raby Castle is one of the most impressive intact castles in England, built by the powerful Nevilles in the 14^th century, has been the family home of the Vanes for nearly 400 years. The grounds of Raby Castle have recently completed an ambitious restoration scheme set within the grounds, complete with heritage buildings, remodelled gardens, stylish shopping, must-see events, woodland play and local food that is as fresh as it gets, sourced or inspired from the Estate.  Becoming one of the leading destinations in the North of England, to find out more. 

TO VOTE FOR RABY CASTLE, PARK AND GARDENS

Votes must be received by the deadline of Sunday 27th April 2025 to be counted. The winners will be announced at the Group Leisure & Travel Awards Dinner & Ceremony, which will take place on Thursday 26th June at the five-star Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London.

Your votes for this magnificent attraction are greatly appreciated.

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Raby Castle is getting ready to reopen its medieval gates on Saturday 1^st March after its winter closure and will now be welcoming visitors seven days a week for the first time in its history.

Following the successful opening of the development in the castle grounds, which provides a leading lifestyle destination for the area, the castle will now be open daily. This expansion provides greater access to one of the most impressive intact castles in the North of England.

Claire Jones, head of leisure and tourism at Raby Estates said: “Last year’s development was a pivotal moment in Raby’s history, as the grounds and its best kept secrets were opened up for even more people to enjoy and discover.

“As Raby continues its role to support and encourage local tourism to the area, it feels like a natural progression for the castle itself to be open more frequently during its main season.

“Lord and Lady Barnard are committed to providing visitors with more to see and do during their time with us here at Raby. Last year also saw the opening of the Housekeeper’s Sitting Room, a new room providing visitors with a virtual glimpse into its fascinating history before heading further into the castle. We hope the expanded schedule for 2025 provides people with greater opportunities to discover Raby’s incredible legacy.”

Ready to welcome visitors once again, the 14^th century castle has gone through its winter maintenance and conservation programme with close attention paid to the preservation of its extensive collection of art, textiles and furniture which dates from the 17th to the 21st century.

The North East attraction has also expanded its selection of bespoke tours and workshops, from exploring the art of Raby Castle to learning more about the women of Raby – all of which are being led by one of Raby’s in-house team of specialists.

In celebration of another jam-packed season at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, the team has also created a new exhibition for visitors to enjoy.

Focusing on the legacy of Raby’s Walled Gardens, the exhibition tells the story of the gardens through time and explores the vision of generations of Raby’s owners who have made them what they are today. It also includes the recent remodelling of the five-acre space which was led by renowned garden and landscape designer Luciano Giubbilei and Lady Barnard.

The addition will be available for all visitors with a gardens ticket and will be hosted in the beautiful conservatory within the Walled Gardens.

Daily tickets are £22 for adults, £21 concession, £13 for children and £63 for a family to Raby Castle, Park and Gardens and are available alongside its membership option, providing access to all on offer at Raby Castle*.

The Raby Estate membership begins from £40 per year for children from 4 to 15-years-old, with family passes starting at £195 (for two adults and two children). Benefits include admission to Raby Castle, the Deer Park, Walled Gardens, The Plotters’ Forest and High Force Waterfall as well as 10% off at the Coach House shop, The Vinery and High Force Hotel.

For more information about Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, please visit: www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle

*The membership excludes special events.

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Introducing Daniela and Yan

Two postgraduate students, Yan and Daniela, were awarded an internship over the summer of 2024 to research an aspect of Cleveland House and design an interesting way to present their findings. Daniela Díaz Blancarte is a second year MA student in Decorative Arts, Design History and Material Culture at Bard Graduate Center in New York City, and Yan Leung is a postgraduate student at the University of Leeds focusing on art galleries and museum studies.

Yan and Daniela are thrilled to present their research through an interactive platform which offers a creative way to gain a deeper understanding of the use and development of Cleveland House.

Ownership of Cleveland House

Whilst the origins of Cleveland House trace back to 1674, associations with the Vane family at Raby Castle begun around 1722. It was at this point the house was sold to Charles FitzRoy, Duke of Cleveland and Southampton. Charles was a son of King Charles II and Barbara Villiers, and father of Lady Grace FitzRoy who in 1725 married Henry Vane, later Earl of Darlington, and owner of Raby Castle.

After the death of Charles FitzRoy, Cleveland House passed to his son, William, who died without issue at Raby Castle while living with his sister and brother-in-law. Lord Darlington now succeeded Cleveland House, which would be passed down through the Vane family- who later also took the title Dukes of Cleveland- until the death of the 4^th Duke of Cleveland in 1891 and subsequent demolition of the London residence.

A plan of St. James’s Square showing the Duke of Cleveland in residence at no. 19. Found in ‘The History of St. James’s Square (1895) Arthur Irwin Dasent, Macmillan and No.’

Cleveland House Interiors: The Dining Hall

Floor plans in the Raby archives show a large Dining Hall, a Ball Room, a Sitting Room and Study, a Silver Room and several bedrooms across four floors, along with a Coach House and laundry for more practical purposes. Inventories describe paintings on the walls of the Saloon, rosewood chairs and settees in the Drawing Room, and a Dining Room filled with crimson and mahogany.

Yan and Daniela chose to focus their project primarily on the dining hall of Cleveland House, one of the more well-documented rooms, which even allowed for some items to be traced to Raby Castle’s current collection.

The dining hall also stood out for its architectural grandeur and for its significance in the social and cultural history of the time. Dining areas were more than just a place for meals; they were a central space for displaying wealth, power, and hospitality. As the needs and functions of the household evolved, the dining hall might have been repurposed, but its original grandeur would have remained a key feature of the room. Cleveland House was described as ‘more curious in appearance than beautiful, though it still retained some vestiges of its original splendor’ by Arthur Irwin Dasent in 1895.

Pages from an Inventory of Cleveland House from 1864 showing the contents of the Dining Room. Raby Estates.

A plan of ‘the Great Dining Room at Cleveland House for the Rt Hn Earl of Darlington’ by John Carr. Raby Estates.

Continue your curiosity

Visit the Interactive Website

If you'd like to find out more about this fascinating project, Yan and Daniela have created a fantastic interactive website where you can do just that! Delve into the history, design and social role of Cleveland House’s dining hall, and see how Yan and Daniela have re-imagined archive sources to create a visual representation of this once impressive space.

Visit the Website

If you want to learn more about BIFMO and the Furniture History Society click HERE

Explore previous projects we have collaborated with BIFMO on…

Delve into the History of our Octagon Drawing Room

The Secret of the Thomas Weeks Cabinet 

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Three years ago, Raby acquired the old NatWest Bank building at 28 The Market Place, Barnard Castle, to create a link between the Market Place and the Castle at Barnard Castle, which lies to the rear of the premises. The project aims to bring into use the Outer Ward of the Castle, to enhance the Castle’s profile and contribution to the economic life of the town. 28 Market Place offers a potential gateway and resource. The Castle at Barnard Castle was built soon after 1093 on a dramatic site above the River Tees. The Castle was built to control a river crossing between the Bishop of Durham’s territory and the Honour of Richmond. Much of the present Castle was built during the 12th and early 13th centuries by the Balliol family. From the 14th century onwards, the Castle belonged to the Earls of Warwick, and from 1471 to 1485 to the Duke of Gloucester, later Richard III. After a fierce siege during the Rising of the North in 1569, when the Castle was bombarded by rebels, the Castle went into steep decline and was effectively abandoned by the early 17th century. It has remained an imposing ruin ever since.

Ownership of the site is complex but much of the Inner and Outer Wards are owned by Raby with the Inner Ward being occupied by English Heritage Trust under a series of Guardianship Agreements. Working with partners such as Cultura Trust, Durham County Council, English Heritage Trust, Historic England and Barnard Castle Town Council, we now hope to raise the profile and footfall of the Castle as a tourism asset for visitors and amenity for residents. This should in turn improve the economic, cultural and social connectivity between the Castle and the town.

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The Housekeeper’s Sitting Room has been given a new lease of life as a reimagined visitor welcome space and will provide visitors with an additional snapshot into the fascinating history of the 14th century castle.

A new introductory video will be projected onto the wall of the Housekeeper’s Sitting Room for visitors to enjoy, detailing how the castle has developed through generations of Nevilles and Vanes; the two families to have owned Raby in its long history.

A delicate family tree mural has also been thoughtfully added to the Housekeeper’s Sitting Room. Created by illustrator Lucy Roscoe, it shows two intertwining trees representing the Neville and Vane lines and highlights the individuals who owned the castle. Acorns and leaves represent the wives and children, and the motifs within the tree have been inspired by the archives and collections.

The room was formerly used as the daily office space of Raby’s Housekeeper, the highest-ranking female servant in the household and has been thoughtfully restored by Raby’s in-house team with specialist guidance from historic paint specialist Charles Hesp.

Julie Biddlecombe-Brown, curator at Raby Castle, said: “Part of our inspiration for the Housekeeper’s Sitting Room was Raby’s Housekeeper from the early 20th century, Mrs. Millard, who we first encountered from details of her wages in the archives.

“One of her many responsibilities was to show important guests around while the family were away, and our new interpretation space will similarly introduce visitors to the history of the castle. The voiceover is a gentle reference to the story of Raby that would be told by the housekeeper to guests.”

Items which reflect the role of a housekeeper have also been added to the room. The display represents their working life and the items they needed to conduct their daily duties – from an administrative role, which involved keeping accounts and employing, managing and paying workers, to their responsibility for the valuable contents of the house such as linen and china.

Keys and personal effects, including a photograph of Mrs. Millard herself, will be on show alongside cookery and household management books which were donated to the castle by former curator, Mrs Elizabeth Steele.

China, which has been historically stored in the Housekeeper’s Sitting Room’s large china cupboards, represents some of the different sets Raby has in its collection and is a nod to the Housekeeper’s responsibility to keep all crockery and glass safe, clean and organised, ready to be used by the family.

Raby Castle has also made a further change to its tour for 2024. For mobility impaired visitors who are not able to access the full tour, a new touch screen in the Entrance Hall will allow them to digitally explore the rooms and read information inspired by the room notes used by the volunteers.

These exciting new additions are arriving during a momentous year for Raby Castle. This spring will see the opening of its new visitor experience, The Rising, which includes the remodelled Walled Garden. Historic and iconic buildings previously hidden from view have been renovated and repurposed to create elegant retail space and magnificent event and exhibition spaces, alongside a stylish new restaurant and visitor information hub, all intertwined with beautifully landscaped meandering walkways.

With so many exciting adventures to be had at Raby Castle this season, a membership is the best way to enjoy access to everything and anything Raby Castle has to offer*. The Raby Estate membership begins from £15 per year for children from 4 to 12-years-old, with family passes starting at £80 (two adults and three children), with benefits including admission to Raby Castle, the Deer Park and High Force Waterfall and 10% off at the shop, café and High Force Hotel. A Plotters’ Forest adventure playground extension is available.

More information and opening times can be found on the website www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle/

*The membership excludes special events.

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In celebration of World Anatomy Day, we’re ‘dissecting’ an interesting book found in Raby’s collections.

Andreas Vesalius

World Anatomy Day honours the work of Andreas Vesalius on the anniversary of his death in 1564. Vesalius is considered the founder of human anatomy studies, through the creation of his seven-volume book De Humani Corporis Fabrica (on the fabric of the human body.) The work dissects the human body and considers each layer separately, from bones and cartilages, to ligaments and muscles, and the heart and other organs. The information is accompanied by classical illustrations and backgrounds of Italianate landscapes.

Published in 1543, the work was paired with a companion piece called the Epitome. This contained a brief summary of the anatomical structures in the Fabrica, but more interestingly a series of woodcuts of the dissected human body. This included a sheet which could be cut up and glued together by the reader to make a layered paper manikin (a medical model of the human body.) This helped readers- often medical students- to better understand how the human body was dissected and put together.

The book in Raby’s collection is similar in use and purpose to this Epitome by Vesalius.

A section of the book showing the different layers of the body.

(Raby Collection)

Multi-layered anatomy

Illustrating anatomy using multi-layered flaps became popular during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. These were known as fugitive sheets, and were made up of engraved figures with additional sections as ‘flaps’ on different parts of the body. When lifted, these layers revealed illustrations of organs, blood vessels and bones.

This tradition began with Heinrich Vogtherr, who depicted a seated woman in 1538. A flap on the woman’s belly could be lifted to reveal her internal organs. He used the same woodblocks to create a male print a year later, changing the head and torso. Within the year, printers in other cities had created their own versions which were circulated throughout Europe.

They proved so popular that versions were created in several different languages, making specialist anatomic information more accessible to a wider audience.

The book in the Raby collection, ‘A Survey of the Microcosm, or the Anatomy of the Bodies of Man and Woman,’ is a good example of this, being an English translation of an earlier work. The sub heading explains that the book is ‘useful for all physicians, chyurgeons, statuaries, painters,’ showing its appeal to a wider audience than just those in the medical field.

Catoptrum Microcosmicum

The author of the original work from Raby’s collection was Johann Remmelin (1583-1632)- Remilinus in our English language version- a German medical doctor and anatomist. His Catoptrum Microcosmicum was first published in 1619 in Latin. It went through several editions in Latin, German, French, Dutch and English.

An original version of Remmelin’s Catoptrum Microcosmicum (1619) digitised by the Osler Library of Medicine.

In earlier editions of the work, the background designs surrounding the anatomical figures include symbolic imagery from the Bible and classical literature, such as images of snakes, crucifixes, and a devil in front of the woman’s womb.

Our version- from nearly 90 years later in 1702- is a much simpler design, lacking illustrations and imagery, and missing text on the pillars the two figures are standing on. There are also fewer pages of accompanying text, as it was possibly for a less specialised audience.

An example of the illustrated details of the original work (left) compared to our later edition (right)

Perhaps having this book in the collection suggests that someone in the Vane family held an interest in anatomy. The wear and tear seen on some of the flaps indicates the book has been well used throughout the years.

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In celebration of World Pharmacists Day, we’ll be looking at an interesting item which was found nestled in the back of one of Raby Castle’s many cupboards, shedding light on the way that sickness and injuries were treated in historic country houses.

An unexpected discovery was made over the winter period at the castle, as Raby’s Curation and Archives team were busy auditing the collections while the castle was closed. A cupboard drawer was opened one day, and an unassuming wooden box was spotted. Upon opening, it turned out this box in fact contained a fascinating at-home medical collection. This included a selection of medicines- some liquid in glass bottles, other in powder and pill form- some weighing scales and measures, and a glass pestle and mortar.

What followed was a concerted effort to catalogue, research and conserve the item, so it could be preserved and understood for future use.

Research

Britain has a long tradition of self-medicating, from growing herb gardens since the time of the Romans, to medical knowledge being passed down through family recipes, and owning these medicine chests which could be described as historic ‘first-aid kits.’

Medicine chests reflect a period of change, as towards the end of the 1700s medical texts began to be written in a language the general public could understand, and readymade tinctures (a medicine made by dissolving something in alcohol) and powders made medicine more accessible and affordable. Once bottles were empty, they would be refilled and re-labelled by a pharmacist.

The chests also contained tools used to self-medicate. This included scales, a set of apothecary weights in units such as drams and grains, and a pestle and mortar to grind ingredients.

Some contained instruction manuals which explained how the ingredients should be used and in what doses. Unfortunately, ours didn’t come with an instruction manual, but pharmacist John Savory created a helpful one with detailed instructions for many of the medicines found in our box.

Savory and Moore

The glass bottles in our medicine box have labels for Savory & Moore or Savory, Moore & Sons. Savory and Moore were a pharmacy company, founded by Thomas Paytherus in 1794. Thomas Savory joined the company in 1797, and in 1806 he became partners with (another) Thomas Moore.

They were originally based at 136 New Bond Street, then 143 Bond Street from around 1840, (it could be that 136 was re-named 143 Bond Street) which helps us when trying to date the bottles in our collection- these are labelled as 136 New Bond Street and 220 Regent Street. A network of pharmacies was created from 1849 onwards, which could explain the additional address. Savory and Moore became the official suppliers of the War Office and the Royal Family, also seen on the label.

In 1968 the shop was closed, and the fittings and contents were given over to the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine. In 1992 Savory and Moore was taken over by Lloyds Pharmacy.

Medicines 

The Raby chest contains some interesting medicines which tell us a bit about health and society during the mid-to-late 1800s. These include:

• Sal Volatile: Smelling Salts

Found in everyone’s medicine box during the Victorian period, smelling salts were used as a stimulant to restore consciousness after fainting.

• Purgatives

It was popular throughout the 19^th century to induce sweating, vomiting or diarrhoea as a means of treating several illnesses- to ‘purge’ the body. This was done using several remedies in the medicine chest.

Rhubarb, specifically the root of Turkey Rhubarb, was used as a strong laxative. John Savory, in his ‘Companion to the Medicine Chest’ in 1836, states ‘the medicinal properties of this valuable root are so well known, that it appears to almost a work of supererogation to mention them. It is administered in the forms of powder, infusion, and tincture.’

He also suggests Senna as a ‘very useful and very general purgative, there being scarcely any disease in which it cannot be administered. It is customary to disguise the nauseous taste of senna…’

• Familiar: Castor Oil

There are some names, such as Carbonate of Soda and Castor Oil, which it wouldn’t be unusual to see in a kitchen cupboard today. Savory talks of cold drawn Castor Oil “This oil is a valuable aperient; for whilst, in doses of from half an ounce to an ounce, it thoroughly evacuates the bowels, it does so with little irritation; hence it is especially useful in inflammatory cases… One disadvantage attending the use of this oil is its tendency to excite vomiting, but this is counteracted by combining it with some aromatic… Upon the whole, castor oil is a purgative of great value.”

• Unfamiliar: James’s Powder

James’s Powder, or ‘Dr. James’s Fever Powder’, was one of the most successful patented medicines from the mid-eighteenth century to the early twentieth century. The medicine claimed to ‘cure most complaints that are not mortal, or chronical’. Several attempts were made to understand the formula, and it was believed to have contained antimony- once used to induce vomiting, but now known to be poisonous- and calcium phosphate. It was never proven effective and is now considered a form of ‘quackery.’

Conservation

The box was then handed over to our Conservation Placement Student. Davina’s first step was to create a conservation proposal, which included a thorough object description, detailing the materials involved. This item was interesting to a conservator because the range of materials there were to work on, such as the rosewood box, copper alloy hinges and handle, textile lining and glass bottles with leather lids.

She then assessed the condition of the item: the box exterior had a break in the wood with evidence of historic repair, the interior fabric was dirty, and some corrosion was present in the metal. There was also the risk of potentially hazardous substances to consider.

Finally, Davina offered her proposed conservation treatments and got to work. She surface cleaned the contents, such as the glass bottles and measuring equipment, and removed the historic adhesive from the broken section of the medicine box. Using a sympathetic adhesive, she mended the break before adding pigments to colour match the mend with the item.

Cataloguing

Our Collections Intern, Rebecca, was then responsible for photographing and recording the item before adding it to our Collections Management System. This would enable us to locate the item in the future once it was safely packed away, if we wanted to use it for a display, talk or further research.

Archives

Research into the chest was supported by documents found in the castle’s archives. As previously mentioned, medical remedies were passed down through families. In the Raby collection we have a series of receipt books, which often had food recipes on one side and medical recipes on the other.

One recipe in ‘Mrs. Vane’s Receipt Book’ instructs the reader how to make Rhubarb calomel pills:

18 grains of Calomel

130 grains of Rhubarb

10 grains of Ginger

To be made into 36 pills.

These could easily be produced with some of the contents of the medicine box. (Do not try this at home!)

Thanks to the meticulous photography of our Collections Intern, we were able to research the history of the item more easily. With the work of our Conservation Placement Student, we have ensured the item can be preserved safely for many years to come, and with the collaboration of our Archivist, we can better understand how the item would have been used in the context of the family. A real team effort!

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