Commonplace Book of Early American Poems 1777-1788

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
170 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Special Collections Public Services & Reference Staff
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The compiler of this 382-page manuscript volume was Hugh McConnelof Fisk Kill Landing, New Jersey. (See "author's inscription" on page 34, etc. The compiler docketed several of the entries "Fish Kill," "Landing," or alternatively, "Fish Kill Barricks," "Barricks," "Barr-s," or "B.") The volume was evidently compiled 1777-1788, but includes items originating at earlier dates. Few of the entries are attributed to other authors. While some of the unattributed entries (such as the anecdotes) may simply have been recorded by the compiler, it appears that a majority of the entires may be Hugh McConnel's original composition.

The volume contains approximately four hundred entries: American, English, and Masonic poems, songs, and verse, as well as anecdotes, maxims, essays, and historical notes. Major themes include American patriotism, anti-British sentiment, wit and humor, military history, love, philosophy, ethics, and Freemasonry. A number of the songs and anecdotes are somewhat risque. A watercolored fraktur appears on page 61, and an engraving, "New York Packet," appears on page 187.

Pages 184-186, 299, 338, and 351 are blank.

Items listed in order of their appearance.

Condition

It appears that at least one page at the beginning of the volume was lost, and significant portions of pages 59-62, 97-98, 101-102, 313-314, and 341-346 were cut or torn out prior to the acquisition of the volume; other textual loss has resulted from damage to the edges of the pages and the acidity of the ink used. Due to its deteriorated condition, the volume was debound, and the pages deacidifed and laminated by the Barrow process.

Acquisition information:
Deposit, April 16, 1960.
Physical location:
Physical description:
1 bound volume