1829 – Connecticut | First Edition – Blue Laws, Witchcraft, Indian Rituals | anti-Colonial

A General History of Connecticut by Samuel Peters is an early 19^th-century survey of the colonial history in Connecticut. Often criticized for its tone, the book captures key moments including the controversial Blue Laws, the founding of the Church of England in Connecticut, and the hanging of Mrs. Greensmith as a witch. Peters inserts commentary on early political figures and Native American Indian customs, including a Pawwaw ritual and reactions to missionary attempts. Also featured are passages on Ethan Allen’s involvement at Ticonderoga and reflections on the colony’s stance before revolution. This leather-bound first edition contains numerous full-page woodcut engravings.

Interestingly, this book was rejected by American readers for numerous reasons, but none more so than for Peters’ fleeing to England and siding with England during the Revolution. Readers felt that the book misrepresented the Blue Laws and ultimately attacked and slandered it in public. The book quickly became “banned” by American institutions following its 1781 British release and, even today, is still considered an unreliable colonial resource because of its Loyalist perspective.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A General History of Connecticut: From Its First Settlement Under George Fenwick, to Its Latest Period of Amity with Great Britain Prior to the Revolution
• Author(s): Samuel Peters
• Publisher: New-Haven, D. Clark and Co.
• Edition: First American edition, 1829
• Binding: Full leather
• Format: (12mo), single volume
• Size:  7 in x 4.25 in (17.8 cm x 10.8 cm)
• Collation: 405 pp
• Illustrations: numerous full-page woodcuts, including frontispiece
• Contents Include:
  • Blue Laws of Connecticut
  • Ethan Allen at Fort Ticonderoga
  • First Church of England in Connecticut
  • Execution of Mrs. Greensmith as Witch
  • Pawwaw and Indigenous Practices
  • Remarks on Samuel Johnson and John Hancock
  • Founding of New Plymouth
• Provenance: signed – Miss Eliza Phillips, Providence, NJ 1838
• Reference(s): Howes P 260, Sabin 61209

Condition:

Very Good. Full leather binding with moderate rubbing to corners and hinges. Original gilt spine title remains legible. Text block tight, all pages intact, showing uniform mild toning. No markings or tears.

Why Collect This?

• First American printing of Peters’ banned colonial history
• Rare appearance of witchcraft trials predating Salem
• Commentary on Indian spiritual rituals and resistance

Item Number: #50030