Ralph Sneyd (1753-1808), cleric and writer, was born at Norton, near Stone. He was ordained in 1777, and was later Rector of Jevington (1781-1808) and Vicar of Rye (1781-1808). He was the author of A letter to Dr. Toulmin, M.D. relative to his book on the antiquity of the world (1783) and Liberty and equality, treated of in a short history addressed from a poor man to his equals (1792). Sneyd appears to have been related to the novelist Maria Edgeworth by way of Edgeworth's stepmother, Honora Sneyd. Edgeworth's novel, Castle Rackrent, first published in 1800, chronicles the mismanagement of the Rackrent estate by its Anglo-Irish landlords.
Contents:
Thady Quirk -- Sir Tallyhoo Rackrent -- The great Sir Patrick O'Shaughlin -- Sir Murtagh Rackrent & his lady -- Sir Kit Rackrent and his lady -- Young Sir Condy -- Captain Moneygawl of Mount Juliet's town -- Sir Condy Rackrent and his lady -- The Gossoon -- [Mrs. Jane] -- Thady's "Shister" -- Judy McQuirk -- Jason Quirk -- The Gauger.