Esther's Works
Esther Hewlett Copley was a prolific nineteenth-century writer whose books reached a wide readership in Britain and beyond. Writing from deep evangelical conviction and practical experience, she produced works for adults and children on subjects as varied as domestic life, moral education, social reform, natural history, and Christian faith.
Many of her books were written during periods of personal hardship, when her pen became an important means of supporting her family.
The following list brings together the known works of Esther Hewlett Copley and illustrates the remarkable range of subjects she addressed during her literary career. It is based on the author’s comprehensive research and forms the basis of the catalogue included in Esther Hewlett Copley: A Woman of Wisdom and Kindness.
Because many of Esther Hewlett Copley's writings were issued anonymously or under various pseudonyms, including Esther Hewlett, Mrs. Hewlett, Esther Copley, Mrs. Copley, Esther Hewlett Copley, A Lady, Author of “Cottage Comforts”, and "A Lady, Author of “Cottage Comforts” — some entries remain tentative.
Publication dates are occasionally inconsistent across catalogues and editions. This list represents the best information currently available.
(Errors and omissions excepted.)
1815
The Holiday Week
The Legend of Stutchbury
The Female Instructor; or, The Young Woman’s Companion
1816
A Visit to Oxford
Victims of Pleasure
1817
The Wages of Dishonesty
The Radical Reformists
1818
Persecution
The Races
1819
The Young Reviewers; or, The Poems Dissected
1820
The Contrast; or, The Fair and the Holiday
1821
David Haggas
Eliza Harding; A Tale, Founded on Facts
Selections from the Works of Watts, Part 1
The Floods
The Warning Voice
Memoirs of Mrs Barfield (editor)
The Osage Captive
Tokens for Travellers
Sermons Adapted for Parochial and Domestic Use.
(by the late Rev. J. P. Hewlett, M.A.)
A Sermon on Confirmation (by Mr Hewlett)
1823
The Cowslip Gatherer; or, What a Penny Will Do
The Old Man’s Head; or, Youthful Recollections
The Schoolfellows
Summary of the New Testament
William Barlow: A Sketch from Life
Twelve Sunday School Tracts
1824
Annie and Her Dolls
The Basket Makers
Typical Connection
1825
Cottage Comforts, with Hints for Promoting Them
I Am No Scholar
Natural Theology for Babes; or, Little Mary
A Cookery Book for Mr Virtue
1826
Scripture Natural History (Vols. I & II)
The Mother’s Friend
The New Speaker; or, Selections from the Most Esteemed Authors in Prose and Verse
1827
New London Cookery; or, The Cook’s Complete Guide on the Principles of Frugality, Comfort, and Elegance
Analysis of the Old Testament
Test and Corporation Acts
The Grafted Trees
The Young Servant’s Friendly Instructor
The Keepsake – A Parting Gift for a Female Scholar
1828
Domestic Visitor
Analysis of the New Testament
Scripture Natural History for Youth (2 Volumes)
The Motherless Family
Truth and Falsehood (tract)
1829
Abridgement of Watt’s “Scripture History”
Scripture Biography; Comprehending All the Names Mentioned in the Old and New Testaments
Scripture History for Youth
The Housekeeper’s Guide (possibly a misdated edition; see 1834)
1830
Anna and Her Doll
The Radical Reformists
Memorials in Practical Piety, as Exemplified in the Lives of M. Beuzeville and B. Byles
Mother’s First Lesson Book
1831
A Brief View of Sacred History
The Poplar Grove; or, Little Harry and His Uncle Benjamin
1832
Hints on the Cholera Morbus
1834
The Housekeeper’s Guide; or, A Plain and Practical System of Domestic Cookery
1835
The Young Infidel Reclaimed
1836
A History of Slavery and Its Abolition
Covetousness: Its Prevalence, Evils, and Cure
The Young Servant
1838
Female Excellence
My Mother’s Stories; or, Traditions and Recollections
1840
Early Friendships: A Tale for Young People
1841
Simple Lessons in Reading
Early Management of Infants
1845
The Lads of the Factory: With Friendly Hints on Their Duties and Dangers
The Young Women of the Factory: Or, Friendly Hints on Their Duties and Dangers
Kind Words for the Kitchen; or, Illustrations of Humble Life (New York)
1847
The Young Mother (Religious Tract Society; pages 26–58 republished in British Family Life, 1780–1914, ed. Claudia Nelson, Routledge)
Uncle Barnaby; or, Recollections of His Character and Opinions
1849
Cholera Preventable
Cottage Cookery
The Comprehensive Knitting Book
1850
Catechism of Domestic Economy
Aunt Susan and Her Nieces
1851
Family Experiences and Home Secrets (reprinted from The Family Economist)
Papal Errors: Their Rise and Progress
The Young Girls’ Story Book (contributed one or two stories)
1854
Second Help to Reading
1857
Samuel Moore’s Secret and Other Tales of Home Secrets
Mary Gardner’s Wedding Day and Other Tales of Home Secrets (with others)
1858
Domestic Life
1859
Early Friendships: A Tale (with Preface by Mrs. R. Valentine)
Hints for Happy Homes; or, Family Experiences (edited by Mrs. E.C.)
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Undated
Copley, Esther; James Hinton; Isaac Taylor; B. J. Holdsworth – A Token for Travellers; Being the Earthenware Man’s Prayer, with Reflections and Four Original Hymns
Hints to the Charitable
Mamma and Her Child
The Careful Nursemaid
The Christian Gleaner, consisting of Original and Selected Pieces.
The Life of Lady Russell
The Girl’s Book
The Family Book
Cook’s Complete Guide
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Periodicals
1821 – Sunday Scholar’s Magazine (commenced)
1824–1828 – The Christian Gleaner and Servant’s Magazine (editor and founder)
1828 – Began editing The Domestic Visitor for the Religious Tract Society
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Posthumously Published
Temper; or, The Story of Susan and Betsy
The Faithful Domestic
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Tracts
1821 – New Year Wishes
1821 – The Squire’s Walk
1823 – Twelve Sunday School Tracts
1824 – Prophecy
1828 – Truth and Falsehood
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Attributed Works
Copley, E. 1878. “Escape to England,” in J. H. Crosse, Historical Tales for Young Protestants (Religious Tract Society)
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Other Books
1821 – Volume of Mr. Hewlett’s Sermons,
1821 – A Sermon on Confirmation, by Mr. Hewlett.
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