The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Thomas Whitaker ( - 1710)

Congregational minister: “VDM” verbi divini minister (Minister of the Divine Word) in Ralph Thoresby's annotation. Whitaker was pastor to the congregation of the The Main Riding House in Call Lane, Leeeds, from 1675 to his death in 1710, succeeding the original pastor, Christopher Nesse. He was in turn succeeded by William Moult, who was in turn succeeded by Whitaker's son Thomas. Whitaker was the son of a physician at Burnley, Lancashire (Hunter, 1: 132-3, n.). Visitor
Relevant locations: Lived at or near Burnley, Lancashire
Residence at Leeds, Leeds Parish
Relationships: William Moult (-1727) was a associate or acquaintance (general) of Thomas Whitaker
Linked manuscript items: as Mentioned or referenced by - "[Guest Book to Thoresby's Museum]," Yorkshire Archaeological Society MS27, Leeds
Linked print sources: as Donator of object(s) - Ducatus Leodiensis; or the topography of the town and parish of Leedes and parts adjacent ...
as Mentions or references - The Diary of Ralph Thoresby, F.R.S. author of the topography of Leeds. (1677-1724).
References in Documents:
Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

A large Prussian Boot of red Leather for a very lusty Man, yet the Heel but an Inch and a half broad. The Gift of the Lady Perrot. Another from Turkey, of yellow Leather as large, yet hath no Heel at all, but a thin Red Leather the Length of the whole Foot. Don. S. Molineux Arm. A little one for a Boy, from Prussia, with a small Iron Plate for the Heel; as also the first hath. Don. Rev. Tho. Whitaker V D M. These are for the richer Sort. Here is a Shoe for the Meaner; it is made of the Bark of Trees somewhat after the Manner of Coal-Baskets in the North of England, but much coarser; they are generally worn by the poor People in Lithuania and Prussia, who bind it to the Leg by the Cord which seems to be of platted Sedges. Don. D. Sus. Madox. A Sabot, or French Wooden Shoe. An Irish Brogue. An English Shoe of very antique Form. A Silk Shoe from Tywan, a City of Formosa; it is made of Crimson and yellow Silk, adorned with Needle-work (for which the Formosan Women are famous); as is also the Silk upon the Heel, which is large considering the Smalness of the Shoe, for the cripled Lady: This was brought from thence, and given me by Dr. Midgeley of this Town. A Pair of Portuguese Shoes for a Gentlewoman, the upper Leather pink'd; as is also the red Turkey Leather upon the Heels. Don. S. Molineux Arm. A very odd Shoe, the Heel six Inches high, yet Length of the Foot 5 ½ from the Toe to the Heel inclusive. A Pair of Slippers from Turkey, a Crescent, or Semicircle of Iron for the Heel, (from Mr. Molineux.) One of Straw from Dantzig. Don. D. Jo. Jac. Smidt. A Persian Slipper, very curious Workmanship. And one from Prussia of red Turkey Leather; the Cork Sole an Inch thick, covered with gilded Leather. A blew Satten Slippper, with Silver Lace, for Charles Savage Esq; (a younger Son of the first Earl of Rivers) given me by my Brother, who married one of his Daughers and Coheirs.

A Catalogue of the Naturall and Artificial Curiositys in my slender Musaeum at Leedes Ano. 1708 a child shoe & stockin in one, of yellow leather, with Iron heel, worn by the richer sort of people in Prussia &c.. Tho: Whitaker VDM.
Ralph Thoresby's guestbook of visitors to his museum (Yorkshire Archaeological Society MS27)
Quid Deus nisi Meus?[*] "Who is God except mine" ThoThomas Whitaker (of Leedes VDM)*