The stars of hope burned bright and yet brighter...

Ledger and Scrapbook. N.p., 179?-mid-19th century. 67 pages. Folio. One quarter calf, with early red morocco spine repair.

A late 18th century ledger that was repurposed during the 1850s century as a scrapbook, including two interesting hand written inclusions. First page features a handwritten title page, reading in part : "Seth Jone[s?] Memoran[dum] Book / Began Janu[ary] 179[4?]?. The book consists of approximately 67 pages, the majority of which are covered completely in mid-19th century newspaper clippings. The subjects of the chosen clippings are varied including poems and songs, general interest pieces, obituaries, crime reports, stories of strange encouters, reports on murders. Some occupy several columns whereas other snippets are only a few lines long. Ten (nonconsecutive) pages were left uncovered by clippings. What is revealed is the original ledger notations dating from 1794 to 1803. The newspaper clippings, however, seem to date primarily from the 1850s and later. The front interior board is dominated by an [1855] wood engraving titled "The Grandfather's Watch" after a painting by William Goodall. The rear interior board features what appears to be a partial broadside advertising the book Uncle Tom's Cabin, or perhaps one of the dramatic interpretations of Harriet Beecher Stowe's work. An ink inscription nearby reads "June the 4 1857".

The first handwritten inclusion consists of 3 sheets written in a hand that appears to date from the 1850s or 1860s. The pages recount the joyous reunion of children with their mothers after some sort of disaster, in part: "The mothers now frantic with joy came rushing down the street to meet them and catching first one child and then another from the arm that bore them almost smothered them with kisses and embraces but words can paint all that followed. The delirious joy of the mothers the crowding of the females around the recovered dear ones the tears of all the almost hysterical congratulating it required the interpositions of some of the more thoughtful to have the innocent suffer are relieved of their wet garments placed in warm beds and allowed to seek the sleep so necessary for their health and demanded so imperatively by their fatigure from that day." Also included are several botanical inclusions, a partial newspaper sheet dated to 1880, and a laid envelope with inscription in pencil 9: "Still better come up I want some coal bought for mill D. Haldane has been here he told me a loot hour to manage things till mother I am a lot better kiss floyd love to all."

Later in the ledger, pasted among the newspaper clippings across 3 leaves, are four numbered manuscript pages which recount the pivotal Battle of Saratoga which took place in October 1777 of the Revolutionary War. The hand, which appears to be late 18th or early 19th century, recounts the events from 7 October through British General Burgoyne's capitualation, and the impact it had on the burgeoning hope of the new nation: "The 7th of October another conflict took place of amost bloody and Sanguanary nature, the English advanced up on the Americans, But were forced back to their entrenchment with great slaughter, victory crowned the Continental army, the British loss was seven hundred in killed wounded, and prisoners, while that of the Americans was not over on hundred and fifty killed and wounded, During the night of the 7th the English reitred from their Camp which the American army proceeded to occupy on the morning of the 8th. On the 14th of October General Burgoyne proposed a cessation of arms, and after various communications a meeting took place on the 15th between two American and two English officers appointed by their respective commanders who then signed articles of capitulation. Burgyone was introduced to Gates on the 18th, and the British Army proceeded to a specified point deposited their arms. Emptied their cartridge boxes, then formed into line, and escorted by a company of light dragoons proceeded by two officers mounted, and bearing the stars and stripes waving trimuphantly marched through the Americans Camp. Burgoyne presented his sword to General Gates in the presence of both armies. It was immediately returned to him. The Americans captured, at different period, forty two pieces of cannon, five thousand stand of arms, six thousand dozen cartridges, &c. The number of troops surrendered was five thousand seven hundred and ninety two, making Burgyone's Entire loss during the campaign not less than ten thousand men, the battle field is now cultivated by Mr Nelson, this splendid triumph sent a thrice through the country, which awakened the people to new efforts. The stars of hope burned bright and yet brighter; the clouds which had so long darkened the land rolled away and American prepared for the last great Blow..."

Condition: worming, scuffing to binding; interior hinges cracked, some pages loose, occasional clipping to leaves, occasional spotting and toning.

[Revolutionary War, George Washington, Battle of Saratoga, Civil War, African Americana, African American History, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Broadside, Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera]