The New Geographical Grammar

Thomas Salmon’s first edition of New Universal Geographical and Historical Grammar was published in 1749. This edition isn’t dated, but since it was still dedicated to King George the Third, it was likely published before his death in 1820. The book contained a description of the shape and motion of the Earth, with descriptions of each continent, its rulers, and its main geographic features. Early New England education was focused around textbooks like the New Universal Geographical and Historical Grammar, which was very successful with . over ten editions printed.

The Copp Collection contains about 150 books of early American imprint and shows a wide range of reading matter typical of a New England Puritan family living in a port town. Literacy was expected of many New Englanders, as Puritan doctrine required everyone to read the Bible. The abundance of multiple Bibles, psalms, hymnodies, sermons, and morality tales reflects the Copp’s religious beliefs. Other highlights of the library include the works of Shakespeare, almanacs, historical and political texts, and travel narratives.

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.

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