Pages
- The five works in this collection are among the earliest known primary sources that provide information about the now-extinct language of the Timucua, a Native American people who once lived in a large area of northern Florida, southern Georgia, and southern Alabama. The first two works, printed in Mexico City in 1612 and bound together into one volume, are catechisms in Spanish and Timucua written by Francisco Pareja, a missionary in Spanish Florida. The third work is a Confessionario, also by Pareja, printed in Mexico City in 1613. The two other works are devotional texts compiled and translated into Timucua by Gregorio de Movilla, printed in Mexico City in 1635, and bound in one volume. These books owe their survival to antiquarian and linguist Buckingham Smith (1810-1871), whose collection of manuscripts and books related to Native American cultures and languages was donated to the New-York Historical Society in the 1880s. Digitization of this collection was funded by a grant from the Metropolitan New York Library Council.
- Manuscript copy, probably contemporary, of John Winthrop's sermon 'A Modell of Christian Charity,' 1630. Gift of Francis B. Winthrop, 1809., John Winthrop (12 January 1587/8 – 26 March 1649) led a large group of emigrants from England across the Atlantic in 1630, and served as the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony., New-York Historical Society
- Writ of mandamus, April 28, 1648, concerning the case of Cornelis Melyn and Jochem Pietersz Cuyter, Dutch settlers who suffered losses due to the war "waged by Director Kieft unjustly and contrary to all international law" against the Native Americans. Willem Kieft was the Director of the New Netherlands from 1638 to 1647. He persecuted and massacred Native Americans, and subsequent retaliations led to Kieft's War, with devastating losses on both sides. When Melyn and Cuyter sent a petition to the Netherlands complaining about Kieft, they were banished by Peter Stuyvesant. In this document, the Dutch States General find in Melyn and Cuyter's favor and strongly condemn their treatment and the native peoples' treatment at the hands of Kieft., New-York Historical Society
- In 1649, Manuel de Spangie [or de Spanje], an enslaved man, purchased his freedom from his owner, Phillip Jansz Ringo, thus becoming one of the earliest free Blacks in New Amsterdam. Two years later, this property transaction would also make him one of Manhattan’s earliest Black landowners., New-York Historical Society
- The maps of Nicolaes Visscher are among the famous descendants of the Jan Jansson map of circa 1651. The successive states of the engraving can be identified by minor changes made on the original plate. Of equal interest to the actual map, however, is the inset depicting “Nieuw Amsterdam op t Eylant Manhattans.” This is the third engraved view of New Amsterdam; from the beginning it must have been considered important and attractive for it was frequently copied by other map-makers., New-York Historical Society
- Pen-and-ink (black and color), color wash on laid paper. This is the manuscript of the earliest survey known of Long Island as far east as Riverhead. "ANNO DOMINI 1670" embedded in cartouche decoration. A shoreline map, it shows most of Long Island, all of modern New York City and the shorelines of Connecticut and New Jersey, marks the rocky coast in red, gives placenames, and outlines the various colonies in different colors., New-York Historical Society
- Title page of the first work promoting settlement of New York by the English after the capture of New Netherlands from the Dutch. The pamphlet has been digitized from microfilm by Columbia University and is available on the Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/ldpd_6432836_000. New-York Historical's copy of the pamphlet will be digitized in full at a future date. Signatures: A-C⁴ D² (A1 a blank). References: Church, E. D. Discovery 608; Sabin 19611; Vail, R.W.G. Old frontier 157; Wing D-1062; ESTC R12462. Bookseller’s advertisement on page 21. New-York Historical's copy from the collection of Rufus King; one of the variant copies with a space between "l" and "i" in "likewise"., New-York Historical Society
- This map's image is a virtual duplicate of Joannes Jansson's "Belgii Novi Angliae," circa 1660, and some believe there was a common (Danckers) prototype. This map, of which only a few copies are known, is quite similar to the Visscher map with the most important difference being in the inset view of New York. The Allard view is a new engraving – the fifth in the sequence of engraved views of New York – made from a new drawing. When translated into English the caption identifies the view as “of New-Amsterdam lately called New York, and now retaken by the Netherlands on 14 Aug. 1673.” Later issues carry a third line saying that the city is “finally again surrendered to the English.” Black ink on paper. Pencil note, bottom margin: "1674 3rd state Stokes I pl. 16, p. 221.", New-York Historical Society
- The half title of Cotton Mather's account of the Salem witch trials. The book will be digitized in full at a future date. Half title: The tryals of several vvitches, lately executed in New-England: Published by the special command of the Governour. "Imprimatur. Decem. 23. 1692. Edmund Bohun."--verso of half-title. Signatures: pi² A-K⁴ L-R². Text continuous despite pagination. References: ESTC R37620; Wing (CD-ROM, 1996) M1174; Holmes, T.J. C. Mather 454-B; JCB Lib. cat., 1675-1700 p. 271. "Advertisements. Books lately printed for John Dunton, at the Raven, in the Poultrey."--[2] p. at end., New-York Historical Society
- Mezzotint on paper engraved by Bernard Lens after sketches by Bernard Lens the Younger to commemorate the visit of four Native Americans to England in 1710. The four "kings", three Mohawk chiefs of the Iroquois Confederacy and one Mahican of the Algonquian peoples, are identified on the print as: Tee Yee Neen Ho Ga Row, Emperour of the Six Nations; Sa Ga Yean Qua Rah Tow, King of the Maquas; Oh Nee Yeath Tow No Riow, King of Ganajoh-Hore; and E Tow Oh Kaom, King of the River Nation. The print includes a manuscript note, "Sold by I. Clark, Grays Inn [London]"., New-York Historical Society
- The first edition of the French code noir regulating slavery in the Antilles, and one of only two copies in the United States. "Edit du roy ... pour l’établissement du conseil souverain & de quatre siéges royaux dans la coste de l’isle de Saint-Domingue en l’Amerique. Du mois d’aoust 1685"--Page 12-14. Signatures: A-B⁴. Leaf B4 blank., New-York Historical Society
- The earliest panoramic view of the East River and New York City, called "The Burgis View". Engraving from four plates on four sheets, issued circa 1719-1721. Drawn by William Burgis in 1717 from what is now known as Brooklyn Heights, and engraved in London by John Harris. Dedication reads: "To His Excellency Robert Hunter Esqr. captain general and governour in chief of the provinces of New York, New Jersey and territories depending thereon in America and vice admirall of the same, this south prospect of the city of New York is most humbly dedicated by Your Excellency's most humble & obedient servt. William Burgis". References: Stokes, I.N.P. Iconography of Manhattan Island, Vol. I (1915), pl. 25, pp. 239-51. New-York Historical copy trimmed at lower edge, affecting caption and text. Gift of Berthold Fernow, circa 1885., New-York Historical Society
- Fabric samples sent and received by Mary Alexander, a successful New York businesswoman who specialized in "haberdashery," what would today be called notions. She ordered plain as well as luxurious fabrics and sold them at her store on Broad Street in Manhattan. Mary Alexander was born in New York in 1693 and married Samuel Prevoost, an importer, with whom she ran a mercantile business. After Prevoost died around 1720 she married James Alexander, a well known attorney and politician, but continued to run the Prevoost business and became a prominent member of New York society.
- This unique copy of William Burgis’s hand-colored mezzotint view of Fort George is the first known engraved view of New York City from the west and the first mezzotint view of the city. It emphasizes English control of Manhattan island with an oversized Union Jack, which is repeated on the warship in the harbor., New-York Historical Society
- Known as the Bradford map, this is the first map of New York printed in the city itself. It is dated to 1731 on the basis of an advertisement in the New York Gazette, August 30-September 6, 1731. Covers lower Manhattan. Shows wards, streets, and public buildings. Oriented with north toward the upper right. Includes index to points of interest. In cartouche at upper left: "To his excellency John Montgomerie, Esq. Capt. Genl. & Gov. in Chief of his Majestis provinces of New York, New Jersey this plan of the city of New York is humbly dedic'd by Your Excellancy's obet & most humble servt, Wm. Bradford." Manuscript inscription at upper left: "Presented to the New York Historical Society by John Pintard, 1807". References: Cohen & Augustyn, Manhattan in Maps, p. 40-42., New-York Historical Society
- John Peter Zenger was a printer and journalist who produced a newspaper, the New-York Weekly Journal, that was critical of the colonial governor of New York, William Cosby. Cosby accused Zenger of libel and Zenger was tried and acquitted in 1735. His acquittal is considered an important step toward freedom of the press in North America., New-York Historical Society
- This is the first historical print engraved in America. Blodget witnessed the battle and immediately afterwards drew the original plan from which Thomas Johnston made the line engraving. Relief shown pictorally. New-York Historical's copy: Handwritten note on side of map, "From New York to Pakeepsy 100 Miles. From Paukeepsy to Albany 65 m.", New-York Historical Society
- Prime meridian: London and Philadelphia. Relief shown by hachures. From Evans, L. Geographical, historical, political, philosophical and mechanical essays, Philadelphia, 1755. Inset: A sketch of the remaining part of Ohio R. &c. "To the honourable Thomas Pownall Esqr. Permit me, Sir, to pay you this tribute of gratitude. for the great assistance you have given me in this map ... Your most obedient, and most humble servant, Evans." "Explanation to the italic capitals." "The Confederates, July 19, 1701, at Albany, surrendered this their beaver-hunting country to the English ..." "The Confederates, formerly of 5, now of 7 Nations, called by the French Iroquois, consist of 1 Caniigaes or Mohocks, 2 Onoyuts, 3 Onondagaes, 4 Cayugaes, 5 Chemandoanes or Senecas, 6 Tuscaroras, 7 Sisisogaes." Not in Evans. Not in Wheat & Brun (2nd rev. ed.), New-York Historical Society
- Hugh Gaine's Nov. 4, 1765, issue, no. 732, of the New York Mercury, published as a broadside to evade the stamp tax. Issues nos. 732-734 of the New-York Mercury, were printed by Hugh Gaine without number, masthead, or imprint. Upon the inception of the Stamp Act which required that newspapers be printed on imported, stamped paper, Gaine suspended the regular heading of his newspaper. By issuing sheets without the characteristic appearance of a newspaper, he was able to satisfy the subscribers while protecting the firm from legal repercussions. Text in three columns; the third printed in four columns running perpendicular to the first two columns. Printer’s note: "The printer of the above intelligence would have favour’d the publick with more news, but was out of large paper.", New-York Historical Society
- Title page only of the first Jewish prayer book published in America, which was also the first English translation of the Siddur. The John Carter Brown Library has digitized its copy of this book and made it available through the Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/prayersforshabba00unkn. New-York Historical's copy of the book will be digitized in full at a future date., New-York Historical Society
- Cadastral map. Covers Manhattan, New York (N.Y.) south of the later Houston Street. Shows existing streets, some buildings, farms, docks, and names of property owners and natural landmarks. Relief shown by hachures. Black ink on paper backed with cloth. Includes text, index to points of interest, and inset "A chart of the entrance to New York from Sandy Hook, shewing the properest channel for sailing, with ye banks and depths of water," ca. 1:128,000. References: Stokes, Issac Newton Phelps. Iconography of Manhattan Island., New-York Historical Society
- The Ratzer map of New York City. First state, 1770. Covers part of modern New York City: Manhattan below the later 60th Street and Brooklyn north of the later 30th Street and west of the later Union Avenue; also a small part of modern Queens and of Jersey City, New Jersey. Shows built up and cultivated areas, streets and rural roads, some buildings, piers. Also shows streams, ponds and wetlands. Shows relief by hachures. Shows depths by soundings. Dedication at upper left: "To His Excellency Sir Henry Moore, Bart. Captain General and Governour in Chief, in and over His Majesty’s Province of New York and the territories depending thereon in America Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same. This plan, of the City of New York and its environs, survey’d and laid down: is most humbly dedicated by his Excellency’s most obdet. humble servant, B. Ratzer Lieut. in his Majestys 60th. or Royal American Regt." Includes large illustration of the harbor and city; based on a work by Thomas Davies., New-York Historical Society
- Hand-colored engraving. Paul Revere issued this famous print less than a month after the Boston Massacre, and it became an important piece of visual propaganda for colonial Americans. The New-York Historical Society's copy is one of the rare copies that show Crispus Attucks as a Black man. He was an American stevedore of African and Native American descent, widely regarded as the first person killed in the Boston Massacre and thus the first American killed in the American Revolution., New-York Historical Society
- Title page of an early appeal against slavery by a signer of the Declaration of Independence and noted physician. The pamphlet will be digitized in full at a future date. Published anonymously. Rush acknowledged authorship in the preface to his Essays, 1798. Signatures: [A]⁴ B-D⁴. References: Evans 12990; Sabin 74202; ESTC W5139., New-York Historical Society
- This broadside contains the first printed account of the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was evidently written immediately after the famous engagement by British officers who greatly underestimated English losses and exaggerated the strength of the American forces. Imprint supplied by Evans. References: Evans 13842; Ford, W.C. Broadsides, 1801; ESTC W9549., New-York Historical Society
- Title page and preface of a rebuttal to Thomas Paine's Common sense by a New York loyalist clergyman. Before it could be distributed, the printer's stock was burned by a mob; a notation on this copy says it was salvaged from the fire. Also published in Philadelphia under the title: The true interest of America impartially stated. Preface dated: February 16, 1776. Type ornament head and tail-pieces. Signatures: A-G⁶ H² (H2 verso blank). References: Bristol 4238; Adams, T. R. Amer. pamphlets, 219a; ESTC W8906. New-York Historical copy imperfect: leaf C6 torn lower outer corner, missing, affecting text. Has manuscript note in contemporary hand on H2 verso: "General Duykinck’s Committee went to the House of Mr. Loudon’s and destroyed all these Pamphlets just as they were ready to be published.--this Copy was saved.-- ’Tis suspected this was wrote on board Govr. Tyron’s Ship & John Tabor Kempe woud be taken for the Author only that there are many Scripture Passages contained in it." Manuscript correction on p. iv, line 9, "associates" changed to "assertors", which is in the Philadelphia edition. Inscribed on front binder’s blank: "Gift of Daniel Parish, Jr. Purchased by him for $10 from Lathrop C. Harper." Library copy bound in calf, rebacked with buckram. Original binder’s blank at end with Onderdonk watermark of eagle within circle. Cf. Gravell, T.L. Amer. watermarks, 515. Contents: Of the origin and design of government in general with concise remarks on the English constitution -- Of monarchy and hereditary succession -- Thoughts on the present state of American affairs., New-York Historical Society
- Dated Monday evening, No. 30 Grace Church St. There are sketches on the letter’s interior pages. Gilbert Stuart conveys his destitution and his hopes that Benjamin West can assist him. Stuart writes: "Should Mr. West in his abundant kindness think of ought for me I shall esteem it an obligation which shall bind me forever with gratitude." Gilbert Stuart was, literally, a starving artist, writing to Benjamin West for help., New-York Historical Society
- The Hugh Gaine printing of the Declaration of Independence. "Signed by order and in behalf of the Congress, John Hancock, president. Attest. Charles Thomson, secretary." Watermark: Strassburg bend and lily over "GR." New-York Historical copy presented by Lucius Wilmerding. Cf. NYHS Quarterly 32 (1948). References: Bristol B4403; Shipton & Mooney, 43203; Walsh, M.J. "Contemporary Broadside Editions of the Declaration of Independence." Harvard Library Bulletin 3 (1949): 31-43, 4., New-York Historical Society
- The Declaration of Independence, place of publication and printer unknown. "Signed by order and in behalf of the Congress, John Hancock, president. Attest. Charles Thomson, sec’ry." Text printed in two columns, 70 lines in first. Watermark: A Rogge. References: Bristol B4404; Shipton & Mooney, 43196; Walsh, M.J. "Contemporary Broadside Editions of the Declaration of Independence." Harvard Library Bulletin 3 (1949): 31-43, 5., New-York Historical Society
- Signed: James Robertson, m. gen. Commanding in New-York. Mortized initial, type ornament rule. The initial and address are of Hugh Gaine, who was in Newark at this time. His press in New York was not supervised by Ambrose Serle until Sept. 30. Cf. Ford. Watermark (cropped): IV. New-York Historical copy with holograph note: Dear Sir, I have sent you three new papers the latest I could get in this city. Yours to [lent?] Gibbs Atkins. To Capt. Gay. References: Reilly, E.C. Colonial printers’ ornaments 367; Ford, P.L. Journals of Hugh Gaine, p. 56-57., New-York Historical Society
- Also known as the "Loyalist declaration of dependence", this was the second petition addressed to the Royal Commissioners Richard and William Howe from loyalists seeking special protection under British occupation. Their first petition, for the suspension of martial law, went unanswered; in this second, insisting that they had risked their lives and fortunes opposing "the most unnatural, unprovoked rebellion, that ever disgraced the annals of time", the loyalists sought only "some level of distinction" from the "inhabitants in general". Little improved for the loyalists, however, and they suffered additionally from the demoralizing effects of inflation, wartime profiteering, street violence, and general dirt and stench., "547 signatures appear on the parchment, a copy of which was sent to London; other signatures, 157 of which have survived, in a loose sheet or sheets of paper, were appended to the memorial. Two fragments of these paper sheets remain"-- Vail, R.W.G. "The loyalist declaration of dependence of November 28, 1776," New-York Historical Society Quarterly 31, no. 2 (April 1947), p. 70.
- This series of field sketches and finished maps of projected battle sites in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary war was begun by Robert Erskine, geographer and surveyor-general to the Continental Army, and completed by his successor, Simeon De Witt. Robert Erskine (1735-1780) was appointed Geographer to Washington’s army in 1777. He surveyed both sides of the Hudson River and a large area covering the adjoining states. Many of the maps are rough field sketches, from which more detailed maps were later drawn. Simeon DeWitt (1756-1834) succeeded Erskine as Geographer-in-Chief in 1780, and oversaw surveys of the roads heading south through Maryland and Virginia to Williamsburg and Yorktown, aiding in Washington’s decisive victory at Yorktown. The Erskine-De Witt series culminates with the detailed Winter-Cantonment of the American Army and it's [sic] Vicinity for 1783, which shows the final encampment of the Continental forces at New Windsor, New York, during the winter of 1782-1783., New-York Historical Society
- George Washington realized that driving the British out of New York City would be the only way to end the Revolutionary War. This rough draft, in his own handwriting, is addressed to General Henry Knox, his artillery commander, and dates from June or July, 1781. The plan was “to surprise the Enemy’s Post at the North end of York Island”, the northern end of Manhattan, and fight his way down to the city, routing the British army. The plan was never realized and the British stayed in New York City until peace was declared in 1783., New-York Historical Society
- Includes key. Military battlefield map. Covers the town of Greenburgh in Westchester County, New York: Shows disposition of troops, cavalry and artillery. Also shows roads running through Tarrytown, Dobbs Ferry and White Plains. Also shows buildings, landforms, streams and vegetative cover. On verso: "[?]aris Dessins topographiques" Pen-and-ink, watercolor on laid paper. Shows relief by shading. Stained, lightly soiled. Mounted on (probably contemporaneous) hardboard., New-York Historical Society
- Cover and paste-down endpaper of orderly book for September 26-October 30, 1781 kept by Barnardus Swartwout Jr., bound in canvas painted with the monogram of George III and part of the Roman numeral LXXX, indicating it previously belonged to the British 80th Regiment. The words "America to you is lost" are painted underneath; a note inside the front cover reads "Captured Lord Cornwallis & the cover of this book." The 2nd New York Regiment, under the command of Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt, was organized in late 1776 and discharged in November 1783., New-York Historical Society
- The Freeman’s journal was printed in Philadelphia by Francis Bailey. Includes Washington’s letter to Congress, dated 19th Oct., 1781, followed by the correspondence between Washington and Cornwallis, dated 17-18th Oct., and "Articles of capitulation ... Done at York in Virginia, this 19th day of October, 1781. Cornwallis. Thomas Symonds. Published by order of Congress, Charles Thomson, sec." Advertisement for John Oldden’s store, Second Street, Philadelphia, at end. New-York Historical copy damaged along creases, slightly affecting text and illustration., New-York Historical Society
- General Washington asked Major Sebastian Bauman, an American artillery officer and military engineer, to survey the terrain and battle positions at Yorktown, three days after the British surrendered there. It was the first large-scale battle map printed in the United States, sold by subscription only with relatively few sheets printed. New-York Historical holds two copies, one of which is believed to be Bauman’s personal copy. Shows British and American troop positions, British defenses, including those on Gloucester Point, fields of fire, the first and second parallels, the headquarters of generals Washington and Rochambeau, the quarters of generals Nelson, Lincoln, Lafayette, Knox, Steuben, Clinton, and various French officers, ships in the York River, and "The Field where the British laid down their Arms." Also shows "Moore’s House," vegetation and relief. Includes "References to the British Lines" with illustrations of ships and "Explanation" of the American and French siege operations. --cf. LC Maps of North America, 1750-1789. "This plan was taken between the 22nd & 28th of October, 1781."-- cartouche at foot. "Note. The Land within the doted [sic] lines has been laid down by survey." Relief shown by hachures. New-York Historical copy from the collection of Chancellor Robert Livingston; gift of Goodhue Livingston Sr., November 1950., New-York Historical Society
- New-York Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves (1785-1849), commonly known as the New-York Manumission Society, was established to publicly promote the abolition of slavery and manumission of enslaved people in New York State. While this was the publicly stated goal, numerous members still enslaved people in their own households, including John Jay and Rufus King. The society provided legal and financial assistance to manumitted African Americans in need of protection and enslaved people seeking manumission, and supported legislation and efforts to enforce laws banning the sale of people in New York State. The records include meeting minutes, commission reports, financial records, indentures, and registers from the year of its organization to its dissolution in 1849. Subjects covered include appointments, elections, political activities, finances, reports on individual cases, the sponsorship and operation of the African Free School and African American houses of refuge. Among its active members were: Robert C. Cornell, W.W. Woolsey, Nehemiah Allen, Melancton Smith, William T. Slocum, Samuel Bowne, Adrian Hegeman, Willet Seaman, Thomas Burling, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, James Duane, John Murray, Jr., William Dunlap, Alexander McDougall, Noah Webster, and Egbert Benson.
- Caption title. William Livingston’s copy of the second draft of the United States Constitution, with his manuscript annotations showing changes that appear in the final version. William Livingston was Governor of New Jersey from 1776 to 1790. He joined the New Jersey Delegation to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, and was one of the signers of the Constitution., New-York Historical Society