NEW HAVEN COLONY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
LIBRARY
Manuscripts
No. MSS .. 129
Date processed: February
1758-1843. 'Papers, 1786-1980.
I.
Title Webster, Noah,
II.
The papers of
Noah Webster and family.
deposited in the Library on
XJiJX
3, 1981
, )6(K
XOt:~OOX!YaGOOOOC>OO~~K>56C a gift~
III. Linear feet of shelf space occupied: 5 inches.
Approximate number of items: 85 (including 6 vols.)
IV.
Restrictions:
v.
Literary rights of the unpublished writings of
in these papers, and in other collections of papers in the custody of
the New Haven Colony Historical Society Library, have been dedicated
to the New Haven Colony Historical Society.
VI.
Press release was issued on
VII. Biographical note:
See page b.
VIII. Analysis:
The collection is contained in two boxes. It consists of mss., notes
for two letters of the quarto dictionary, mas. letters to a friend and to newspaper
editors, mss. receipts signed by Webster, printed circulars, printed pamphlets by
Webster, documents related to his estate, printed letters in 19th century newspapers
by and about Webster, newspaper clippings and printed material celebrating anniversaries
of the publication of the quarto dictionary. Related material in the NHCHS Library may
be found in: The Noah Webster Collection 1785~1880 [imprints], Childrens' Books Collection 1777-1875, the Henry White Papers 1775-1915, School Records 1714-1977~
A presentation copy of John Warner Barber's ..........._____________........._.Collections, 1836, is contained in the second box.
2/7~
Processed by:
Anne H. Wiillard.
'
/
MSS. 129 Webster, Noah Papers.
!f
i
i·
I·.
Biographical Note: Noah Webster (1758-1843) was born in West Hartford. He was a direct
descendent of John Webster, founder and Governor of the Connecticut Colony, and of
William Bradford, Governor of Plymouth Colony. A graduate of Yale (B.A:\, 1778), Webster
taught school to e'arn money for studying law. He saw the need .for school books
especially designed for American children and produced a grammatical work consisting
of a speller, a grammar based on the study of the actual phenomena of English speech
in America, and a reader of selections of American subjects. The works, especially
the speller, were an immediate success, eventually exceeding 100,000 9 000 copies.
Webster's publications aroused his interest in an American copyright law, and
his efforts to get one enacted brought him into politics as a staunch Fe.deralist.
His travels through the colonies lecturing and teaching on behalf of copyright led
him to Philadelphia where he met his future wife, Rebecca Greenleaf of Boston.
While there, a long friendship with Franklin began based on their mutual interest
in spelling reform. After ten years of publishing Federalist newspapers in New York
Webster worked on his dictionary in New Haven. He published the Compendious Dictionary
of the English Language in 1806. Afterward, he immediately started the larger quarto ·
work and he toiled on it until 1812, when he moved to Amherst, Maas. to reduce
living coats. While there, he helped found Amherst College and continued his
lexicographical work. In 1822 h.e returned to New Haven and in 1828 ..........._..._....................
Dictionary of the English Language appeared. Its initial public
mixed.
Webster answered some critical reviews in letters to the press. His income from it
was modest during his lifetime, although it earned substantial royalties
Webster died in New Haven having led an active life to the end.[Sources: D.A.B.
Vol. XIX, p.594; Skeel, E.E.F. Comp. Bibliography of the Writings
Noah Webster;
article by Henry Ste.ele Commager, West Hartford News souvenir supplement, Oct. 16,
1958, Vol. XVI, No. 41. ]
·
·
MSS. 129. Webster, Noah, 1758-1843.
Papera 1
1786~1980
Table of Contents.
No. of items.
Box I.
Folder A. MSS notes for quarto dictionary in Webster's hand.
A-ablution, Includes discussion of letter "A".1807.
[bound. 34 P•]
Folder B. MSS notes for quarto dictionary B-Balance. Presented
to NHCHS by Rev. Chauncey Goodrich. n.d. [bound. 47p.]
(1), v •.
. (1)
Folder C. Photocopy of page for quarto dictionary in Folder A.
"abet-abhor".
(1)
Folder D. Correspondence out. N.W. to :
l. Josiah Blakely from New York, Feb.13, 1795.[ALS]
re political conditions in the u.s.
2. Editors. n.d. [Ats]. response to
dictionary~
3. Editors, Daily Herald, G. Woodward, editor,
New Haven County, Feb.22, 1843. [ALS] re unusual
darkness
to
4. "William Miller & Co, 0
to Woodward and
Carrington, editors Daily
,
1843. [Ats]
refutat~ Millerite prophesy of end of world in
1843.
(4)
Folder E. Letters found in folio
1. Edw. Protheroe to F. Feeli~. Geddesden, Feb. l,1825.
2. on one sheet:
a. Elias and Clarrisa Larkin, n.d.
b. Charles Baldwin to Israel C, Wright, Bristol,
Conn. 1848.
(2)
Folder F. Receipts •
1. to Elizur Goodrich collected from Dr. E. Munson on
account of Dr. D. Greenleaf of Boston.
by
Noah Webster,
for
Feb. 9 1790.
2. from c. Goodrich, Sept. 29, 1?89. Signed by Noah Webster
on verso.
(2)
Folder G. Circulars.
l. A Syllabus of Mr. Webster's Lectures. New Haven.
June 15, 1786. [ 1 P• torn.,]
2. To the Clergymen ••••••• in Conn. New Haven. May 7,1798 •.
[requeat for statistical information].[l.p.]
[Skeel p.23.]
w.
MSS 129. Webster, Noah. Papers.
Box I. cont.
Folder G. cont.
3. To the Friends of Literature in the United States.
Feb.25, 1807.[plan for dictionary] [Skeel, p.343.]
4. To the Friends of Literature in the United States.
Aug. 1807. [prospectus for dictionary.]
(4)
Folder H. Pamphlets.
1. A Letter to the Governors, Instructors and Trusteee
of the Universities and other Seminaries of Learning
in the United States on the Errors of English Grammar(s).
By Noah Webster, Jun. New York. Printed by George F.
Hopkins for the Author. 1798. 36pp.
2. Mr. Webster 9 s Oration. An Oration Pronounced before the
Citizens of New Haven on the Anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence; July 1802 and Published
at their Reques't by Noah Webster, Jun. New Haven.
Printed by William W. Morse. 1802. 30 PP•
3. An Address to the Citizens of Connecticut by Chatham
New.
1803.24 PP•
(Noah Webster). J.
4. The Panopliat; or The Christian's Armory.
1806.
Vol.I, No.12. Contains pp.550
of
~~~~~~~~';Z by
Esq. 1805..
(4,)
Folder I. Estate of Noah Webster.
1. List of taxable estate for 1823, .1832, 1834.'
·
[Photocopies from City and County Documents Collection.]
2o Probat~; Court Documental\!I [photocopies from State Library].
3. Memorandum of Amounts received from estate of Dr. Noah
Webster.[photocopies from Trowbridge
Hen!'Y
Trowbridge an Executor of Noah Webster's estate.] .
4. Typescript transcript of inventory of
.
Noah
Webster.(Vol.55, pp.333 . . 339, Records of Probate Court, (16)
New Haven, Conn.)
[See MSS 62 C Henry White Papers, Box VII,
C and D
Letters from Wm. G. Webster to Noah Webster re publishing
of Dictionary and other works. Dealings with publishers
in various parts of country. May 1843.
Chauncey
Goodrich to ttBrother".]
·
Folder J. Newspaper articles by Noah Webster in 19th centurv ~ 0 wa~a
1. The Genesee Farmer, Vol.II No. 9, Rochester, Saturday,
March ;, 1832. Letter to
, N.
, by Noah
Webster on dictionary. pp.69-]71. [In response to
of criticism in No.a 51, 52.
. 3. <
MSS 129. Webster, Noah. Papers.
Box I .. cont.
Folder J. cont.
2.-The New York Mirror, March 12 9 1836, l.'•292. "The English
Language and Noah Webster " by Senex.Lpossibly Walter Henry
Medhurst, 1796-1857. ]
3. The New York Mirror, May 14, 1836. "Noah Webster's Philo-
logy" pp.364-365 by Philo-Senex [Also possibly Walter Henry
Medhurst 9 1796-1857•]
·
· ·(3).
4. See reverse of this page
Folder K. Newspaper clippings re Noah Webster.
1. n.d. [1928] Newspaper unknown. Exhibit ~f dic~ionariea.
2Q Boston Evening Transcript, ·Nov. 6, 1935. re
of W. ·
3. "
"
"
Aprll 25,·1936.
4e New Haven Register, July 6, 1947. [photos of W's house
to Greenfield, Mich. 2 co~ies.J
5. West Hartford News souvenir supplement. Oct. 16 9 1958.
Vol.XVI, No.41.
.
.
6. New Haven Register Nov. 12 9 19?8. 150th
quarto dictionary Beineke Library.
7.
It
u
8., II
H
Folder L. Lists
"
"
Register of Noah Webster
vuiiau
2. Original list of works in bookcase
Folder M. Miscellaneous material re.Noah Webster.
1.
2.
;. Leaflet. Reprint article in ................................. ""' ................,
anniversary publication
Merriam Co. in 1847.
-
Glll& C.
4. Invitation to lecture
by Homer D. Babbidge, Nov.16, 1978,
on 150th anniversary publication
s dictionary.
Folder N. Papers re the collection.
Box II.. John Warner Barber. ______
copy to Noah -- -
___________________ ~--- ~ -----
(4)
1836,
p. 4
MSS 129.
Box I.
Webster, Noah. Papers.
Cont.
Folder 0. Photographs
1 . Silhouette of Mrs. Noah Webster
2. Silhouette of Mr. Noah Webster
3&4. Noah Webster's l:::pok and bookcase
5. Noah Webster' s bOok and table
( 5)
.f:> .. .:_,c
NEW HAVEN COLONY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
LIBRARY
PE *
Manuscripts
No.
64
Date processed: October
.w5
A3
I.
Title
II.
The papers of
deposited in the Library on
, by
In
converted the deposit to a gift.
Webster 9.Noah Collection
1980
1785-1880
III. Linear feet of shelf space occupied: 5 3/4 feet
Approximate number of items: 110 volumes
IV.
Restrictions:
V.
Literary rights of the unpublished writings of
in these papers, and in other collections of papers in the custody of
the New Haven Colony Historical Society Library, have been dedicated
to the New Haven Colony Historical Society.
VI.
Press release was issued on
(1758 . . 1843) was born in West Hartford,. His parents,
Noah and Mercy, were descended directly from John Webster, founder and Governor
of the Connecticut Colony and William Bradford, Governor of· ~lymouth Colony~.
His father mortgaged his farm to put Noah through Yale (B.A. 1778) and.in 1781
·he was admitted to the bo..r in tia.r:t:ford. As a school ,teacher earning money for
legal studies, Webster felt the need of American books for American children.
He produced a grammatical work consisting of a speller, a grammar, based on
the study of the actual phenomena of English speech in America, and a reader
of selections of American subjects. The works, especially the speller, were
an immediate success, eventually exceeding 100,000,000 .copies= Webster• a
publications aroused his interest in an American copyright law, and his efforts
to get one enacted brought him into politics as a staunch Federalist. His
travels through the colonies lecturing and teaching on behalf of copyright
VIII. Analysis:
cont® p.b
The collection of early imprints, 30 titles and 110 volumes, is stored
in 14 boxes.The collection is a library compilation of printed books bearing
the number *PE 64.W5A
A table of contents lists the individual works in
alphabetical order Qy title. Within the title category the different editions
are listed chronologicallyo The card catalog of the NHCHS Library has a main
entry card for the whole collection and title cards for each title.Subject
entry cards have been made for: l.New Haven-Imprints. 2.Printers-New Haven.
3.Publishers and Publishing-New Haven.[source of bibliographical information:
A Bibliography of the Writin~s of Noah Webster, comp.by E.E.F. Skeel, N.Y.,
New York Public Library. 195
VII. Biographical note: Noah Webster
2/74
Processed by: Anne Willard
p.b
Webster, Noah Collection (1758-1843) cont.
Biography cont.
led to Philadelphia where he met his future wife, Rebecca Greenleaf of Boston.
While there, a long friendship with Franklin began based on their mutual interest
in spelling reform. After ten years of publishing Federalist newspapers in
New York, Webster worked on his dictionary in New Haven. His many interests
and wide experience prepared h.im admirably for lexicography. Seeking a quieter
life, Webster moved to Amherst~n 1812 where he.helped found Amherst College.
His last twenty-one years were spent in New Haven continuing his lexicographical
work, writing, and working for a revised copyright law.[Sources:D.A.B. Vol.XIX,
p.594;Skeel,E.E.E.Comp.Bibliography of the Writings of Noah Webster.]
...
1 •.
•
PE
64.W5A3
Webster Collection (1785-1880)
Table of Contents
Box I v.I
Box IIv.II
An American Dictionary of the English-Language.~ •• by Noah Webster,
in two volumes.[First edition]New York. s. Converse. Printed by
Hezekiah Howe, New Haven. 1828.
(l)
(1)
Box III
Folder A. An American Dictionary of the English Language ••• by Neah Webster,
in two volumes. New Haven. Published by the author. Printed by
B.L. Hamlen. 1841.[inscribed Chauncey A. Goodrich to Chauncey
Goodrich]
(2)
Box IV
Folder A. An American Dictionary of the English Language •••• by Noah Webster,
in two volumes. Amherst, Mass. J.s. and c. Adams. 1844.
(2)
Box V
Folder A.l.AnAmerican Dictionary of the English Language ••• by Noah Webster.
Rev. ed. New York. Harper Bros. 1844.
An American Dictionary of the English Language ••• [
page
missing] Rev.
(2)
Box VI
Folder A.l. An American Dictionary of the English
••• by Noah
Webster. Revised and enlarged by Chauncey A. Goodrich. New York.
Harper and Bros. 1848.
A Pronouncing and De fining
of the .c.1.t~.u.ou
abridged from Webster's American Dictionary ••• by Chauncey A.
Goodrich. Philadelphia. Lippincott. 1856
Folder B.
Holy Bible. New Haven. Durrie and
1833. 2 copies
(2)
(2)
Box VII
Folder A. An American Selection of Lessons in Reading and Speaking .....
[Originally appeared as Elements of Useful Knowledge
III].
l.Fifth edition .. Hartford, Hudson and Goo.dwin. 1789.
2.Sixth edition. Hartford. Hudson and Goodwin. 1790.
3.Eighth
Folder
edi~ion.
Hartford. Hudson and Goodwin. 1?93
(3)
An American Selection of Lessons in Reading and Speaking •••
1. Second edition. New York. George Bunce. 1795.
2. Tenth edition. Hartford. Hudson and Goodwin.[1796]
3. Thirteenth edition. Hartford. Hudson and Goodwin.[1798]
(3)
2.
•PE
64.W5A3
Webster Collection (1785-1880)
Box VII cont.
Folder c. An American Selection of Lessons in Reading and.Speaking •••
!Twelfth edition. Boston. Isiah Thomas and Ebenezer Andrews. 1800.
2. Fourteenth edition. Hartford. Hudson and Goodwin.[1800].
3. Fourth edition. Utica. Seward and Williams. 1809.
(3)
Folder D. The American Spelling Book.[Originally appeared as Grammatical
Institute, Part I.]
1. First revised impression. Hartford. Hudson and Goodwin. 18o4.
2. Revised impression. Brattleborough (sic) Vermont. William
Fessenden. 1815.
3. Revised impression with latest corrections. Boston. West,
Richardson, and Lord. Printed by J.H.A. Frost. 1820.
(3)
Folder E. The American Spelling Book.
l.Revised impression with latest corrections. Brattleborough, Vt.
Holbrook and Fessenden. 1825.
Revised impression with latest corrections. Middletown, Conn.
William H. Niles. 1827.
3 Revised impression with latest ~~~~A~
• Middletown, Conn.
William H. Niles.1828.
(3)
Folder F. The American Spelling Book.
1. Revised impression with latest corrections. Middletown, Conn.
William H. Niles. 1828.
2. Revised impression with lateatt corrections. Middletown Conn.
William H. Niles. 1829.
3. Mutilated copy;pp.1-14 missing.[n.d.]
Box VIII.
Folder A.
(3)
the·... Use of S.choals~ by Na Webster~ [Fi'.rst. edition}
New Haven, P!ezekiahHcr1.i1e•i 1836"
J
•
,
..
•
2. A Brief History of Epidemic and Pestilential Diseases. [First
edition] 2
Hartford, Hudson and Goodwin.1799.
,I
•PE
64.W5A3
Webster Collection.(1785-1880)
Box VIII cont.
Folder B.
l.A Collection of Papers on Political, Literary and Moral Subjects
by Noah Webster.[First edition] New York. Webster and Clark. 1843.
2. A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language ••• [Firat edition]
Hartford. Hudson and Goodwin; New Haven. Increase Cook from Sidney's
Preas.1806.[The first dictionary].3 copies. For third copy see
Folder D,No.;.
(2)
Folder
c. A Dictionary
for Primary Schools •••
1. New York. Huntington and Savage.[1845?]
2. New York. N.and J. White;New Haven. Durrie and Peck. 1833.
(3)
3. New York. N. and J. White; New Haven. Durrie and Peck. 1834.
'
Folder D. A Dictionary for Primary Schools •••
1. New York. F.J. Huntington and Co. 1838
2. New York. F.J. Huntington and Co. 1841
3. Third copy of Compendious Dictionar1. See Folder B, No.2.
(3)
Box IX
Folder A. A Dictionary of the English Language Compiled for the Use of
Common Schools in the United States. [First edition]
1. New Haven. Sidney's
• 1807.3 copies.
(3)
Folder B.
A Dictionary of the English Language Compiled
the Use of
Common Schools in the United States. Hartford. George Goodwin
and Sons. 1817.
2. Title page misaing.[1832].
Folder
c.
(2)
A Dictionary of the English Language abridged from the American
Dictionary for the Use of Primary Schools and the Counting House.
New York. White, Gallaher and White. 1831.
2. Title page
Box X
missing~
.
Folder A. A Dictionary of the English Language •••• Academic edition.
l.New York. Huntington and Savage;Mason and
1851
(1)
4.
"'PE
64.W5A3
Webster Collection (1785-1880)
Box X cont.
Folder B. A Dictionary of the English Language. Academic edition.
l.New York. F.J. Huntington, Mason and Law. 1853. 2 copies.
Folder
(2)
elementary dictional!'y ••• being a sequel to Webster's elementary
spelling book, by William G. Webster.[First edition] New York.
George F. Cooledge. 1844.
2. The elementary spelling book ••• [ A new work. First edition]
Middletown, Conn. W.H. Niles. 1829
C.l.A~
3. The elementary spelling book •••• Wells River, Vermont. Ira White.
(3)
1835.
Folder D. The elementary spelling book •••
1. Middletown, Conn. 1836.
2. New Haven. s. Babcock. 1840
3. Louisville, Ky. Morton and Griswold.[After 1843]
4. New York. G.F. Cooledge.[After 1843]
· Box XI.
Folder A. The elementary spelling book •••
1. New Haven. s. Babcock. 1844.
2. New York. G.F. Cooledge. 1848.
3. New York. D. Appleton. 1880 [title ·page missing]
4
D
~
Folder B. Elements of Useful Knowledge.
1. Vol. !.[First edition] Hartford. Hudson and Goodwin.1802.
2. Vol. I. Hartford. O.D. Cooke. 1806.
Folder
c.
Elements of Useful Knowledge.
lo Vol. II [First edition]New Haven. Sidney's Press. 1804.
2. Vol. II New Haven. Increase Cooke. 1808.
3. Vol. II [title page missingl.
Folder D. Elements of Useful Knowledge.
1. Vol. III. [First edition] New Haven. Bronson, Walter and Co.
1806.
2. Vols. I tL~d
bound together.
Vol.I. Hartford, O.D. Cooke. 1806
Vol.II. [First edition] New Haven. Sidney's
18o4,
(4)
(3)
(2)
(3)
(2)
~
Folder E. A Grammatical Institute of the English Language ••••
l.Part II. Hartford. Barlow and Babcock. 1785.
2. Part Second [Fourth edition]Hartford. Hudson and Goodwin.
3. P~~£9~idond. New York. Evert Duyckinck. 1798.
(3)
Folder F. A Grammatical Institute of the English Language •••
1. Part Second. Hartford, Hudson and Goodwin. 1800.
2. Part Three. [title page missing].
(2)
5.
""PE
64.W5A3
Webster Collection (1785-1880)
Box XII
Folder A. A High School Pronouncing Dictionary •••
1. New York. Huntington and Savage. 1848.
2. New York. F.J. Huntington and Mason Bros. 1853.
3. New York. Mason Bros. 1857. [inscription: Rev. C.A. Goodrich from
(3)
his affectionate brother, W.G. Webster.]
Folder B. History of Animals being the Fourth Volume of Elements of Useful
Knowledge.
1. New Haven. Howe and Deforest and Walter and Steele. 1812. 3 copies.
(originally Vol. IV of Elements of Useful Knowledge)
(3)
Folder
c.
History of the United States.
lo[First edition; 3000 copies] New Haven. Durrie and Peck. 1832.
2.[second edition] New Haven. Durrie and Peck; Louisville. Wilcox
and Dickerman and Co. 1832.
3. New Haven. Durrie and Peck. 1835
(3)
See Box VI. Folder A. Holy Bible. First edition. New Haven. Durrie and Peck.
1833. 2 copies.
Folder D. An Improved Grammar of the English Language.
1. [First edition]. New Haven. Hezekiah Howe.
2. New Haven. s. Babcock. 1835.
3. New Haven. Sidney Babcock. 1839.
1831.
( 3)
Box XIII
Folder A.
1. Instructive and Entertaining Lessons for Youth.[First edition]
New Haven. S Babcock and Durrie and Peck. 1835
2. A Letter to General Hamilton, Occasioned b~ his Letter to President
Adams, by a
.[Philadelfhia, 1800j.
3.
to a Young Gentleman •••• First edition] New
S Converse,
Printer, .Sold by Howe and Spalding, 1823.
(3)
Folder B.
Miscellaneous Papers on Political and Commercial Subjects [First
edition] New York. E. Belden and Co. 1802.
2. The New Testament in the Common Version [First edition] •••
New Haven. s. Babcock. 1839.
,
Folder
c.
"'
1. A Philosophical and Practical Grammar of the English Language.
[First edition] New Haven, Oliver Steele. 1807. 2 copies
2. A Pocket Dictionary of the English Language •••• New York, Ivison,
, Blakeman, Taylor and Co. 1880.
(2)
t>q,
*PE
64. W5A3
Webster Collection (1785-1880)
Box XIII cont.
Folder D. A Primary School Pronouncing Dictionary ••••
l. New York, F.J. Huntington and Mason and Law, 1852.
2. New York, F.J. Huntington and Mason Bros., 1855.
3. New York, Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman and Co., 1870
(3)
Folder E.
1. A Primary School Pronouncing Dictionary •••• New York, Ivison,
Blakeman, Taylor, 18?4
See Box VI, Folder A, No.2. A Pronouncing and Defining Dictionary ••••
2. Rudiments of English Grammar ••••• New Haven, Durrie and Peck, 1831.
(2)
Box XIV
Folder A. A Sequel to Webster's Elementary Spelling Book; a Speller and
Definer •••• New York, George F. Cooledge, 1845. 3 copies.
(3)
Folder B.
A Sequel to Webster's Elementary Spelling Book: A Speller and
Definer ••• New York, George F. Cooledge, 1845.
2. The Teacher; a Supplement to the Elementary Spelling Book.[First
edition] New Haven, s. Babcock 1836.
1837.
(3)
3. The Teacher ••••• [Second edition] New Haven. S
In MSS No. 102
's Books Collection.
l.The Prompter: A Commentary on Common Sayings Which are Full of
Common Sense, The Best in the World, by Noah Webster. New Haven,
S Babcock. 1839~
2. The Elementary Primer or First Lessons for Children; being an
Introduction to the
Spelling Book, by
New Haven S Babcock. 1841
Several titles listed in the public catalog of the New Haven Colony Historical
Society Library.