Richard Humphreys' Copy of Jonathan Dickenson's Journal, or "God's Protecting Providence, Man's Surest Help in Time of Greatest Difficulty and Most Imminent Danger," Printed and Sold by James Phillips, London, 1789

6th Edition, leatherbound, the frontispiece inscribed in ink, “Richard Humphreys,” the blank page inscribed in pencil, “Martha W. Roberts.”

6 5/8 in. x 4 1/8 in.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Born in Tortola, Richard Humphreys came from a wealthy Quaker background. He was both a silversmith and activist. Contradicting his parents, plantation owners who prospered from slave labor, he championed the freedom and advancement of African Americans, founding The Institute for Colored Youth in 1837. This school was later renamed Cheyney University, and is still known as the oldest historically black college in America.

The author of the book, Jonathan Dickenson (1663-1722), was a merchant from Port Royal, Jamaica, who documented his account of being shipwrecked along the Southeastern coast of Florida in 1696. He and the other passengers of the ship were held captive by Native Americans, but eventually made it to St. Augustine, and then Charleston, before arriving to Philadelphia. “God's Protecting Providence” was first written in 1699, and reissued sixteen times.

Provenance:

Richard Humphreys (1750-1832), thence by descent to the present consignor.