Books and Manuscripts

Humphreys, Col. David
An Essay on the Life of the Honorable Major-General Israel Putnam: Addressed to the State Society of the Cincinnati in Connecticut
Hartford: Printed by Hudson and Goodwin, 1788. First edition. 12mo. 187 pp. Contemporary full brown calf, red morocco spine label, stamped in gilt, headcap renewed, joints sometime repaired, boards and extremities rubbed and moderately worn, scattered gouges to front and rear boards; all edges trimmed; illustrated book-plate of Hall Park McCullough on front paste-down; contemporary ownership signatures of C. Goodrich and C. Goodrich Jr., on front free endpaper; scattered spotting to text, marginalia in pencil on p. 184. Sabin 33804; Howes H-794; Evans 21160

Scarce first edition of Col. David Humphreys's celebrated biography General Israel Putman, a useful source for firsthand accounts of “Old Put's” exploits in the American Revolution. Col. Humphreys served with distinction during the Revolution, fighting in the battles of Kip's Bay, Danbury, and Sag Harbor, and participated in the fortification of Harlem Heights. In December, 1778, he was appointed aide-de-camp to Putnam, and established himself as an able administrator. This reputation led to General Washington appointing him his aide-de-camp in the spring of 1780, resulting in a life-long friendship with the future president. 

Hall Park McCullough (1872-1966) was a New England lawyer, founder and trustee of Bennington College, and one-time president of the New-York Historical Society.