Peter Hushar d.1685

Peter HUSHAR or HUSHER d.1685

Biographical Note

‘Merchant of London, deceased’; evidently a Frenchman who settled in London at an unknown date and who was involved in trade. The will of his widow Rebecca (née Tookie) shows that they lived in Spitalfields.

Books

In his brief will, Hushar left all his goods to his wife Rebecca, who in turn when she died shortly afterwards left all her goods to her daughter (or, should she not survive to 21, to her brother and sister). Hushar’s library was auctioned in London, beginning 18 November 1685. The sale catalogue contains 897 lots and is unusual, in the context of English book sales, for its proportion of French language material, and absence of Latin, a reflection of its owner’s background. The catalogue begins with French language folios (27 lots), quartos (21), and octavos (174 theological, 107 history/poetry/miscellaneous). This is followed by English divinity (64 folio, 115 quarto, 266 octavo and duodecimo), English miscellaneous (29 folio, 56 smaller formats), and 24 volumes of English sermons and tracts, bound. Theological and devotional material makes up a little over 70% of the whole.

Characteristic Markings

None of Hushar’s books have been identified.

Sources

• Will of Peter Hushar, The National Archives PROB 11/380/248.
• Will of Rebecca Hushar, TNA PROB 11/381/185.
• A catalogue of the library of books ... of Mr. Peter Hushar, London, 1685, (ESTC r214512).
• Alston, R. C. Inventory of sale catalogues 1676-1800. St Philip, 2010.
• Glaisyer, N. The culture of commerce in England, 1660-1720, 2006, 134.