[Commonplace book], 1716-1730

Manuscript, in a single hand, of a collection primarily of arithmetic problems and conversion tables interspersed with a large number of verses, both satirical and sentimental, on such subjects as marriage, the sexes, love, and friendship. The collection includes directions for addition, subtraction, multiplcation, and division; tables of weights and measures; and directions for calculating the number of minutes in years. Many of the poems are occasional, including two addressed to Mrs. Christian Kerr on her birthday and two to Mr Kerr of Chatto on his 71st birthday. The volume also contains several further entries concerning the Kerrs' neighborhood, including a copy of "a circular advertisement for the Douffs in Kelso district, the consecration of the yew at Sunlaws." The collection also contains brief journal entries on significant events, including a murder, a burnt house, and memoranda on wages paid

Dos-a-dos, the volume contains more arithmetic problems; financial accounts; household inventories; lists of books in her possession; and a list of expenses concerning her legal "affair with Hardon beginning 1727."