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

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Susan[nah] Madox, Mrs. ( - fl. 1702/03)

Mother of the Historiographer Royal and Wife of Thomas Madox, Antiquary Correspondent
Relationships: Susan[nah] Madox was a correspondent of Ralph Thoresby (1658-1725)

Linked manuscript items: as Sender of a letter - "[Letter from Susan[ah] to Ralph Thoresby]," Yorkshire Archaeological Society MS6, Leeds
as Sender of a letter - "[Letter from Susan[nah] Madox to Ralph Thoresby]," Yorkshire Archaeological Society MS7, Leeds
References in Documents:
MS Book of the dean of Christ Church (MacGregor, ed.) 407 Idem iterum. Succini rudioris fragmentum, rubigine incrustatum; coloris intùs ocroleuci. Donavit Dña Madox. 391 Another of the same. Fragment of fairly coarse amber, encrusted with red, coloured whitish internally. Given by Mrs Madox.
MS Book of the dean of Christ Church (MacGregor, ed.) 412 Succini flavi pellucidi Lamella, in qua Perla sivè libella minima inclusa. Ex dono Dñæ Madox. A flat piece of transparent yellow amber, in which a pearl or tiny silver coin is enclosed. Given by Mrs Madox.
MS Book of the dean of Christ Church (MacGregor, ed.) 415 Succini flavi sive mellei fragmentum, rubigine incrustatum. Donavit Domina ... Madox. 390 Fragment of yellow or honey-coloured amber, encrusted with red. Given by Mrs Madox.
MS Book of the dean of Christ Church (MacGregor, ed.) 419c Succini flavi semiopaci frustulum. Hæc tria donavit Dña Madox Londinensis. Fragment of translucent yellow amber. Mrs Madox of London gave these three.
Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

The Abbot of Kirkstal's Salt-seller; it hath eight Triangular Salts placed in the Stock, which is of coarse Marble or Stone, with a Hollow for one of Silver in the Top. Don. Jac. Blades Merc. Leod. A Spoon of Juniper; and others of a white Wood brought from Prussia and Lithuania (with one in a wooden Case or Sheath), by Mrs. Maddox. An Indian Spoon of very fine Wood tip'd with Silver; a very odd one, with a wrought Handle, brought from Portugal, and given me by Major Richard Milburn. Cheese-Trenchers, both the Square, which turn into the Form of a Book, and a Box. A Box of round ones, painted and gilt, with English Rimes that seem to be 150 Years older than the Cheese, though that be full Three Score. A Norway Cheese of Goat's Milk 5 ½ Inches broad, odd waved in the Vat. Don. J. Turner. Bread from the Coasts of Barbary. The Jews unleavened Cakes for the Passover. Don. D. Burrough Lond.

Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

An Oil from the East-Indies called Oil of Earth, good for Pains and Aches. An East-Indian Composition, somewhat like Rosin, but sparkles a little; whence it is (perhaps) that it is called the Philosophers Stone; both these were sent me by Mrs. Madox. Indian Sear-Cloth. Of the Liquid Bitumen (before-mentioned) from Shropshire, may be further noted, that the Inhabitants, who in Mr. Camden's Time only used it as Pitch, now use it for the Cure of green Wounds, and commonly sell it at 14 d. a Pound. Besides the Lake Asphaltites, and others noted by ancient Authors, later Discoveries have found the Lake at Cuba in America, and Zant of the Venetians (Gord. Geogr. pag. 379 & 235.) Of the Mevis Bark used for a Vomit: The American Physick Nut that works sursum & deorsum. Of the Mirtle Wax; the Candle-berries; and a Candle made thereof. (Don. D. Greathead Lond.) and of other Indian Fruits, see before amongst the Plants, where there are for Food, Physick, and Clothing; as Wheat, Mayz, and Milium, Cloves, Nutmegs enclosed in Mace, and Cinnamon, Coco-nuts and Cacao's (Chocolate) Coffee-berries; Plants used there as Tea, Liquorish, and Cotton, both Silk and Wool, of which Garments and Hammocks are made, and washed with the Soap-tree Berries; which, without any Proportion of Salt lixiviate, Sulphur, or Oil, wash better than any Castile-Soap, but rot the Linen in Time: To which may be added a Turkish Wash-Ball 2 ½ Inches in Length; another round, wrought in Trales and Branches. Indian Perfume for washing the Skin.

Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

A Tooth-brush from Mecca in Arabia Felix, where is a Turkish Mosque esteemed the most glorious in the World, visited by infinite Number of Pilgrims; for the poorer Sort, of whom these, I presume, are designed, being only a Stick, whose End for an Inch long is parted into small Fibres. Don. D. Seb. Alchribel. A carved Whale-Bone five Inches broad and thirty long. Don. D. Lid. Hough. A Cord made of the Leaves of the American Aloes. Don. D. Jo. Sharp. An Indian Lanthorn made of Twig-work, or split Cane, very fine, a Yard and half long; it was brought from the East-Indies, and given me by Dr. Midgeley of Leedes. A very odd Lanthorn made of the Skin of a Fish said to be the Solpen or Scolopendra, but is rather of the Piscis Echinatus triangularis; it is a Yard and a Quarter in Compass. This was procured also from the East-Indies, and given me by Mrs. Madox. Two Fishing-Lines near five Foot long of Indian Plants. Don. D. Jo. Boulter Arm. A walking Staff, composed of eight Joints of a Sugar Cane, about seven Inches distant from each other. An Indian Cane above two Yards and a half long, painted with Variety of Colours, red, blew, yellow, green and black.

Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

A Crance from Prussia; it is a most beautiful Garland (as the Word imports) of Flowers in Silk and Silver, and a delightful Variety of Colours; it is worn upon the Head (as the young Lady's Rowls at present in England) on the Wedding Day at Conningsberg, whence it was brought me by Mrs. S. Madox. Tweesers for curling the Hair. A Lead Comb to change the Colour of it. Pendants, and Drops for the Ears. A Jewel of Artificial Glass, with Sparkles of Gold. A Necklace of Pearl, Amber, Coral and Blew. Indian Neck-laces of young Oranges: And of Musk-beads.

Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

Glass-bubles with Water and green Tincture included. A Table-Book the Cover whereof is admirable fine Work of Scarlet and Silver, done by Mrs. Margaret Towneley Chanoness Regular at the English Augustines in Paris. Don. D. Fran. Kennet. The Instruments of our Saviour's Passion (Nails, Pincers, Scourges, &c.) cut out of thin Plates of Brass and fastened (with Wires on the In-side) upon an Egg-shell very dextrously; Mrs. Madox brought me it from Prussia. Two Histories very neatly cut in Paper, by Mrs. Hoyl in Craven. A Chain near a Yard long cut out of a Card by Sir G. H's. G. H.'s Daughter. Another very fine of thirty four Links, full two Yards long, by a Gentlewoman in Craven, and sent me by Dr. Hargrave of Coln.

A Catalogue of the Naturall and Artificial Curiositys in my slender Musaeum at Leedes Ano. 1708 a Spoon of Juniper wood, a case of spoons of a white wood from Prussia Mrs Madox
A Catalogue of the Naturall and Artificial Curiositys in my slender Musaeum at Leedes Ano. 1708 a very odd Lanthern made of the Skin of the Solpen (I suppose the Scolopendra) Mrs Sus: Madox. Dr. R. says 'tis the pisis Echinatus triangularis.
A Catalogue of the Naturall and Artificial Curiositys in my slender Musaeum at Leedes Ano. 1708 a Crance of most beautiful Colours & curious work worn by the Brides in Prussia Mrs S: Madox
A Catalogue of the Naturall and Artificial Curiositys in my slender Musaeum at Leedes Ano. 1708 2 hands conjoyned, in white enamell upon glass. these 3 last from Mrs Sus. Madox
A Catalogue of the Naturall and Artificial Curiositys in my slender Musaeum at Leedes Ano. 1708 the Instrumts of our Saviours Passion, (nails pincers, scourges...) cut out of thin plates of brass & fastned (with wires on the inside) ofupon an Eggs shell, done in Prussia & bro't me theme by Mrs Sus: Madox.