A History of the American Revolution

Samuel Williams authored <i>A History of the American Revolution</i> in 1795 when it first appeared in monthly installments in <i>Rural Magazine</i>. This edition was compiled and published by William Storer, Jr. in 1824 and published in New Haven, Ct. The book was intended as a reading book for schools, to teach children about the history of the American Revolution. The preface notes that, “next to the Bible, the history of the American Revolution is most deservedly entitled to the attention and reverence of the youth.” The book was so popular that 13 editions were published from 1824 to 1831, including one from 1826 that the museum also owns. It speaks to its popularity among early colonists and its utility in teaching. The six woodcut illustrations have been hand painted with watercolors. The content emphasizes the war’s military battles and includes the standard patriotic narrative that featured the stories about the founders and military heroes. The war was viewed simplistically as a rights issue without any exploration of the global and economic perspectives and the only participants mentioned were white middle to upper class males. The book contains some marginalia consisting of signatures and a small drawing.