A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN HANCOCK, ESQ; GOVERNOUR; HIS HONOR THOMAS CUSHING, ESQ; LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR; THE HONORABLE THE COUNCIL, AND THE HONORABLE THE SENATE, AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, MAY 29, 1782. BEING THE DAY OF GENERAL ELECTION. (WITH OWNERSHIP SIGNATURE OF HANNAH ADAMS)

Author: Adams, Zabdiel (Signature of Hannah Adams)
Title: A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN HANCOCK, ESQ; GOVERNOUR; HIS HONOR THOMAS CUSHING, ESQ; LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR; THE HONORABLE THE COUNCIL, AND THE HONORABLE THE SENATE, AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, MAY 29, 1782. BEING THE DAY OF GENERAL ELECTION. (WITH OWNERSHIP SIGNATURE OF HANNAH ADAMS)
Publication: Boston, Mass: Printed by T. & J. Fleet and J. Gill, 1782
Edition: First Edition

Description: Stitched Pamphlet, partially disbound. Octavo, 8 in. x 5 in., pp. [4], 5-59, [1] (blank). Original half-title with "Mr. Adam's Election Sermon, May 29, 1782." to front; no final double-blank page. Stitching is present, but first two signatures detached. Blind endorsement stamp from N.E. Historic Genealogical Society to half title. Previous owner's name ("Hannah Adams") to top right corner of half title, with the final "s" cut off. Light tideline across bottom edge of first three leaves. Light spotting to half title and final leaf. A few bent corners. Two pages have a handwritten ink correction in the margin (from Hannah Adams?). Light age-toning. Very Good Minus.

The previous owner's signature is that of Hannah Adams (1755 – 1831), an American author of books on comparative religion and early United States history, and a cousin of the author, Zabdiel Adams. She was born in Medfield, Massachusetts and died in Brookline. Adams is often cited as the first woman in the U.S. to work as a professional writer, publishing several important texts on U.S. history and comparative religion with the support of several Boston intellectuals, including William Shaw and Joseph Stevens Buckminster. At the time of her death she had achieved an uncommon degree of renown, even celebrity. She was duly afforded the honor of being the first person interred in Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Reverend Zabdiel Adams (1739–1801) was a first cousin of President John Adams, anad a cousin of patriot Samuel Adams and writer Hannah Adams. Zabdiel, at the time of this sermon, was pastor of the church in Lunenburg.

In May 1782, Massachusetts was navigating a high-stakes transition period. The major fighting of the Revolutionary War was over, but the Treaty of Paris had yet to be signed. Left in the wake of the war was a state struggling with massive public debt, currency hyperinflation, a new state constitution, and a brewing class conflict that would soon erupt in Shay's Rebellion. Adams sermon speaks to acknowledging God's hand in supporting the American struggle for independence and asserting that political liberty cannot survive without individual virtue, He urges Christian piety, and strict adherence to public and private morality. He goes on to advise leaders like Governor John Hancock and Lieutenant-Governor Thomas Cushing to govern with justice, integrity, and a focus on the common good.

Seller ID: 100683

Subject: Americana

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