A CORNERSTONE OF EARLY NEW ENGLAND HISTORY

(COLONIAL AMERICA) MORTON, Nathaniel. New-England's Memorial; Or, a Brief Relation of the Most Memorable and Remarkable Passages of the Province of God, Manifested to the Planters of New-England, in America. With Special Reference to the First Colony Thereof, Called New-Plymouth… Boston printed, Newport reprinted: Solomon Southwick, 1772. Octavo, later three-quarter dark green morocco, marbled boards. $2000.

Third edition of one of the "cornerstones of early New England history" (Church 606).

"Morton's work is the first strictly historical work printed in America; and is one of the earliest printed books recording the origin of Plymouth Colony. The voyage of the Mayflower and the landing and first settlement of the Pilgrims are given in detail. Morton found his main sources in the extensive historical manuscripts left by his uncle William Bradford… The volume is not only a fascinating narrative of the New England settlement, but… it includes no less than sixteen elegaic and two other poems, by John Cotton, John Norton, Josias Winslow, Benjamin Woodbridge, and others. They are among the earliest original poems ever printed in America" (Streeter II: 631, referring to the first edition). The extraordinarily rare first edition was published in Cambridge in 1669. Howes M851. Evans 12469. Early library stamps to verso of title page, one marked "Duplicate"; early dealer description tipped to front flyleaf (blank). Bookplate indicating ownership by wealthy New York real estate magnate Anson Phelps Stokes and his son, a noted clergyman and philanthropist of the same name.

Small repair to upper corner of title page. Some embrowning to text, covers lightly rubbed, repair to front joint. A very good copy. Scarce.