A History of the American Revolution

Samuel Williams authored A History of the American Revolution in 1795 when it first appeared in monthly installments in his Rural Magazine . This edition was compiled from the monthly editions and published by William Storer, Jr. in 1824. The book was intended as a reading book for schools, to teach children about the history of the American Revolution. The preface notes that, “next to the Bible, the history of the American Revolution is most deservedly entitled to the attention and reverence of the youth.” The book was published in several editions, speaking to its popularity among early colonists and its utility in teaching youngster the history of the new country.

The Copp Collection contains about 150 books of early American imprint and shows a wide range of reading matter typical of a New England Puritan family living in a port town. Literacy was expected of many New Englanders, as Puritan doctrine required everyone to read the Bible. The abundance of multiple Bibles, psalms, hymnodies, sermons, and morality tales reflects the Copp’s religious beliefs. Other highlights of the library include the works of Shakespeare, almanacs, historical and political texts, and travel narratives.

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.

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This page was imported from Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Released by the Smithsonian Institution under CC0 through Smithsonian Open Access.

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