Thanks, Mick. You've saved me (and perhaps MtheGM) quite some effort.

I doubt that Malcolm ever would have claimed 100% accuracy, but every time I've had occasion to check one of his notes I've found him to be roughly 100% accurate.

Ritson/Chappell make it even less permissible to assume that "Barbara Allen" was either originally Scottish or known at all before Mrs. Knipp performed it.

Except for "Barbara Allen's" existence in London on Jan. 2, 1666, we know nothing at all about its early history.