Noah Webster, Jr., letter to William D Williamson, May 6, 1837, page 1

Noah Webster, Jr., letter to William D Williamson, May 6, 1837, page 1 New Haven May 6th 1837 Dear Sir, In reply to your inquiries, I would remark, that in the common schools with which I was acquainted, & in which I received my earliest instruction, the books used were Thomas Dilworth’s Spelling Book; a Primer, a Psalter or the Bible. I do not recollect any other book for reading. Fenning’s Spelling Book was in the country, but was not used in my neighborhood. What books were used before Dilworth’s I do not know. Perry’s Spelling Book & dictionary began to be used, if I recollect right, about the time that I first published my Grammatical Institute or soon after. I have not the means of determining this point. My Spelling Book, a first part of Grammatical Institute was published in 1783; the grammar, or second part in 1784. The third Part, I believe, in that or the year following. Of the precise number of My Spelling Books published, I have no account; but from the returns of the publishers for more than 30 years part, it is probable the whole number is at least 15 million, My Grammar & Third Part passed through many editions, but what numbers were published I am unable to say. The grammar in Dilworth was the only one I knew, till Lowth’s appeared. This was printed by Robert Aitken Author Noah Webster, Jr. Manuscript title Date May 6, 1837 Size x cm x xcm; x in x x in Penmanship Style Collection Boston Public Library File name Noah Webster, Jr. 1758-001-001- Links related to Noah Webster, Jr. Noah Webster, Jr., Wikipedia [1] A grammatical institute of the English language, comprising an easy, concise, and systematic method of education, designed for the use of English schools in America. In three parts. [2] A grammatical institute of the English language, comprising a easy, concise, and systematic method of education, designed for the use of English schools in America. In three parts, part II containing a plain and comprehensive grammar, grounded on the true principles and idioms of the language by Noah Webster. [3]