Rogers, Horatio; Carpenter, George Moulton; Field, Edward. The Early Records of the Town of Providence (24 volumes including Index, complete with extras). Providence: Snow & Farnham City Printers, 1892-1950. First Editions. [10997]
The contents of each volume are described below the condition description.
Twenty four volumes, twenty three in matching brick red cloth with printed paper spine labels, one index volume in wrappers. Most volumes have two signatures in ink, one dated 1972, either on the end papers or title pages; spines and labels with some smudging/soil. The cloth volumes are 9 1/4 x 7 1/2 inches, they vary in page numbers; the entire run takes up 28 inches of shelf space. The page edges are deckled; some paper spine labels are chipped with loss. About good or better condition with the following exceptions: vol. II. has a library donation bookplate, but no other library matter in the entire set; vol. iv is shaken with nothing detached; vol. xvi has a torn front end paper, lacking about half; edge-worn title page; end papers and title page soiled. Vol. xx. has a torn rear end paper hinge. The Index volume is as issued, in wrappers, and is the index for the first 21 volumes.
This lot also includes Fourth Report of the Record Commissioners relative to the Early Town Records, City Document no. 23, 1895, in a matching cloth binding, and Fifth Report of the Record Commissioners relative to the Early Town Records, City Document no. 24, 1897. This last has a large folding map laid in, a replica of the 1823 map by Daniel Anthony. It has some old repairs to the folds, and could stand to be further repaired, as there are some tears at the folds. The "1823" on the map has been filled in with pen or marker, and there are staple holes indicating that this once hung on a bulletin board or something similar. Good. Hardcover.
We have included a few representative photos below.
"The City of Providence, Rhode Island, in its twenty-one printed volumes of The Early Records of the Town of Providence, has what is probably the finest and most complete set of transcribed verbatim early records on any town in New England. These volumes contain 5156 printed pages of an estimated total of 2,080,000 words. Of this total, 806 printed pages of approximately 300,000 words are North Burial Ground records which are volumes XVIII and XIX.
"It is impossible to over-emphasize the value of these early Providence records. Outside of the territory of the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, nothing exactly like them is to be found in any town in New England. All other towns were integral parts of the colony in which they were first established, while Providence, originally a town founded by Roger Williams in 1636, did not become part of a colony until 19 Mar. 1643/4 when Roger Williams obtained a patent for Providence Plantations under which the towns of Providence, Portsmouth, and Newport became a colony; consequently the early Providence records contain all of the usual town records and in addition many more that are properly those of a colony." - Preface to the Index volume.
Vol. I. This is the "First Book of the Town of Providence", otherwise called the "Long Old Book with Parchment Cover", and contains town meetings, births, deeds, and miscellaneous records...The earliest date in this volume is "first week in August 1633" (birth of Roger Williams' daughter at Plymouth..."
Vol. II. This is the "Second Book of the Town of Providence", otherwise called the "Town Old Book", the "Old Burnt Book", and sometimes called the "Book with Brass Clasps". Facsimiles of the 19 Apr. 1645 agreement and signatures of 37 of the so-called Providence "25-acre" men are illustrated.
Vol. III. This is part of the "Third Book of the Town of Providence", otherwise called the "Book with the Brass Clasps". Records from 1638-1731.
Vol. IV. This is part of the "Third Book of the Town of Providence", otherwise called the "Book with the Brass Clasps". It contains deeds.
Vol. V. This is part of the "Third Book of the Town of Providence", otherwise called the "Book with the Brass Clasps". It contains deeds, marriage, birth, and death records. Dates are from 1638 to 1712.
Vol. VI. This is part of "Will Book No. 1" and contains principally wills. It contains meticulous lists of household contents. Dates are 1670 to 1720/1.
Vol. VII. This is part of "Will Book No. 1" and contains principally wills. It contains meticulous lists of household contents. Dates are 1665 to 1717/18.
Vol. VIII. This is part of the "Book of Records of Town Meetings No. 3, 1677 to 1750, and other papers."
Vol. IX. This is part of the "Book of Records of Town Meetings No. 3, 1677 to 1750, and other papers."
Vol. X. This is the "Book Called Town Council No. 1, 1692-1714".
Vol. XI. This is the "Book of Records Designated as Town Meeting No. 1, 1692 to 1715".
Vol. XII. This is the "Book Called Town Council No. 2, 1715 to 1732".
Vol. XIII. This is the "Book Called Town Council No. 2, 1716 to 1721".
Vol. XIV. This is the "First Book for the Recording of Deeds and Called Deed Book No. 1". Facsimiles of the surveys of several tracts of land are illustrated. Dates 1643 to 1708/9.
Vol. XV. This is the "Providence Town Papers Vol. I." 1639 to 1682, Illustrations include facsimiles of a warrant and letters written by Roger Williams.
Vol. XVI. The is the "Records Contained in Will Book No. 2, from Sept. 12, 1716, to Jan. 7, 1728/9".
Vol. XVII. This is the "Providence Town Papers Vol. II." 1682 to 1722. Some important documents are reproduced in facsimile.
Vol. XVIII. This is the "Official Records and Documents of Title and Proceedings Relative to the North Burial Ground (part I.)". The book contains a photograph and various maps of the cemetery, and photographs of the gravestones of the first internment, and monuments of some of the first mayors of Providence.
Vol. XIX. This is the "Official Records and Documents of Title and Proceedings Relative to the North Burial Ground (part 2.)". It contains a "Register of Family Burial Lots in North Burial Ground" and several maps and photographs of monuments. It also includes several historical extracts in the Appendix, The Whipple Genealogy, The Cove Lands, &c.
Vol. XX. This is the "First Part of the Second Book for the Recording of Deeds and Called Deed Book No. 2." Dates 1653 to 1715.
Vol. XXI. This is the "Second Part of the Second Book for the Recording of Deeds and Called Deed Book No. 2." Dates 1661 to 1712/13. The copy here with this set is the second edition of 1950, the first now quite rare.
Vol. XXII. Is Index to the Early Records of the Town of Providence, volumes I-XXI. The information in the description above is from this index.
Vol. XXIII. Though not numbered with the set, the book is Fourth Report of the Record Commissioners relative to the Early Town Records. City document No. 23, 1895. Bound the same as the rest of the hardcover books, same imprint. It includes some facsimiles and is an analysis of a portion of the Records volumes with a comprehensive index.
Vol. XXIV. Though not numbered with the set, the book is Fifth Report of the Record Commissioners relative to the Early Town Records. City document No. 24, 1897. Bound the same as the rest of the hardcover books, same imprint. This is an analysis of a portion of the Records volumes with a comprehensive index. This also has the large folding map that is in need of repair, as mentioned in the condition description of the set.
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