# Abraham Farley

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English government official

**Abraham Farley** (c.1712–1791) was an English government official who was the custodian of [Domesday Book](/source/Domesday_Book).

Farley was appointed [Deputy Chamberlain of the Exchequer](/source/Chamberlain_of_the_Exchequer) in 1736 and became responsible for the public records held in the Chapter House of [Westminster Abbey](/source/Westminster_Abbey).[1] First among these was [Domesday Book](/source/Domesday_Book), of which Farley became custodian, granting visiting antiquaries access to make transcripts for a fee.[2] In 1753, he was approached by [Philip Carteret Webb](/source/Philip_Carteret_Webb) to make a transcript from Domesday Book; this he did, and, perhaps in return for Webb's help in raising awareness of Domesday's importance, waived the usual fee.[3] Two years later, Webb's paper on Domesday Book was read to the [Society of Antiquaries of London](/source/Society_of_Antiquaries_of_London).

In later life, Farley was to produce the first printed edition of Domesday Book, for which there was then a considerable demand. Following a Parliamentary order in 1767, Farley was appointed co-editor of the Domesday printing project in 1770, alongside [Charles Morton](/source/Charles_Morton_(librarian)) of the [British Museum](/source/British_Museum). In his *Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century*, the printer [John Nichols](/source/John_Nichols_(printer)) remarked that Morton and Farley's relationship was characterised by rivalry and mistrust. Farley, whom Nichols called "of all men the properest person for so important a trust", due to his "long and intimate acquaintance with the original record", evidently considered himself best fitted to produce the landmark work.[4] Farley eventually cut Morton out altogether, pressing ahead with the work with Nichols' co-operation.[5] Farley received payment to the tune of £2,500 for his services.[6]

Farley died in early in 1791: he made his will on 21 January, and probate was granted on 22 March.[1]

## See also

- [Publication of Domesday Book](/source/Publication_of_Domesday_Book)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-odnb_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-odnb_1-1) [Martin, G. H.](/source/Geoffrey_Martin_(historian)) (2008) [2004]. "Farley, Abraham (bap. 1712, d. 1791)". *[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography](/source/Dictionary_of_National_Biography#Oxford_Dictionary_of_National_Biography)* (online ed.). Oxford University Press. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/ref:odnb/61829](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fref%3Aodnb%2F61829). (Subscription, [Wikipedia Library](https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/partners/88/) access or [UK public library membership](https://www.oxforddnb.com/help/subscribe#public) required.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Hallam, Elizabeth (1986). *Domesday Book through Nine Centuries*. London: Thames & Hudson. p. 134.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Hallam 1986, pp 135–6.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Jonathan Nichols, *Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century* Vol. III (London: Nichols, son, and Bentley, 1812), p. 266

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Condon, M. M.; Hallam, E. M. (1984). "Government Printing of the Public Records in the eighteenth century". *Journal of the Society of Archivists*. **7** (6): 378. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/00379818409514252](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F00379818409514252).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Condon and Hallam 1984, p. 379.

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