Rare Books and Special Collections:Rise of the American Novel - NIU - University Libraries

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Rise of the American Novel before 1830

These are examples of materials related to the rise of the novel in the United States available in RBSC. Students have an opportunity to learn the proper handling of early materials. Specific topics may yield more materials; please ask about your topic. To request a class visit, please email the Curator.

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Indian Captivity Narratives

Williams, John, 1664-1729.

The redeemed captive returning to Zion, or, A faithful history of remarkable occurrences in the captivity and deliverance of Mr. John Williams … drawn up by himself ; annexed to which, is a sermon . . . ; also, an appendix, by the Rev. Mr. Williams, of Springfield ; likewise, an appendix, by the Rev. Mr. Taylor, of Deerfield ; with a conclusion to the whole, by the Rev. Mr. Prince, of Boston. 4th ed., with additions.

Printed at Greenfield, Massachusetts: by Thomas Dickman,1793.

Rare Books Collection E87 .W7251793A

Other Title: A faithful history of the remarkable occurences in the captivity and deliverance of Mr. John Williams.


Church, Benjamin, 1639-1718.

The history of Philip's war, commonly called the great Indian war, of 1675 and 1676. Also, of the French and Indian wars at the eastward, in 1689, 1690, 1692, 1696, and 1704. By Thomas Church, esq. With numerous notes to explain the situation of the places of battles, the particular geography of the ravaged country, and the lives of the principal persons engaged in those wars. Also, an appendix containing an account of the treatment of the natives by the early voyagers, the settlement of N. England by the forefathers, the Pequot war, narratives of persons carried into captivity, anecdotes of the Indians, and the most important late Indian wars to the time of the Creek war. By Samuel G. Drake. 2d ed. . ..

Exeter, N.H.,J. & B. Williams, 1829.

Special Collections E83.67 .C5731829B

Notes: Includes reproduction of t.-p. of original edition: The entertaining history of King Philip's war . . . 2d ed. Boston, printed, 1716; Newport, reprinted, 1772.


Narrative of the capture and providential escape of Misses Frances and Almira Hall : two respectable young women (sisters) of the ages 16 and 18, who were taken prisoners by the savages, at a frontier settlement, near Indian Creek, in May last . . . : likewise is added the interesting narrative of the captivity and sufferings of Philip Brigdon, a Kentuckian, who fell into the hands of the merciless savages . . . communicated by persons of respectability living in the neigborhood of the captives.

[New York: William P. Edwards?], 1832.

Rare Books Collection E83.83.N23

Notes: The names of the girls were Rachel Hall (afterwards Mrs. Munson) and Sylvia Hall (afterwards Mrs. Horn). Cf. Baldwin, Hist. of La Salle County, Ill. and Moses, Illinois, historical and statistical. Cover title: War and pestilence! Capture of two young ladies by the savages. . . Illustrated covers.


White, Henry, 1790-1858.

The early history of New England, illustrated by numerous interesting incidients.By Rev. Henry White. 3rd ed. Concord, N.H., I.S. Boyd, 1841.

Rare Books Collection F7 .W57 1841


Coleson, Ann. Miss Coleson's narrative of her captivity among the Sioux Indians! An interesting and remarkable account of the terrible sufferings and providential escape of Miss Ann Coleson, a victim of the late Indian outrages in Minnesota.

Philadelphia, Barclay & co.,[c1864].

Special Collections E87 .C69


Caverly, Robert Boodey, 1806-1887.

Heroism of Hannah Duston, together with the Indian Wars of New England, by RobertB. Caverly.

Boston,B. B. Russell & co.,1874.

American Popular Literature Collection.E82 .C37


Epistolary Novels

Louvet de Couvray, Jean-Baptiste, 1760-1797.

Émilie de Varmont, ou, Le divorce nécessaire : et les amours du curé Sévin / par l'auteur de Faublas . . . A Paris : Chez Bailly, libraire . . . ; et chez les marchands de nouveautés, 1791.

Rare Books Collection PQ1999.L6 E44 1791a


Athenian letters: or, The epistolary correspondence of an agent of the King of Persia, residing at Athens during the Peloponnesian War . . . : in two volumes. Illustrated with engravings, and a map of antient Greece. A new edition; to which is prefixed a geographical index.

London : Printed for T. Cadell, Jun. and W. Davies in the Strand,1798.

Rare Books Collection DF229.1 .A71798A

The work of a group of English writers, Philip Yorke, Charles Yorke, G. H. Rooke and others.


French Novels and Translations

Marmontel, Jean François, 1723-1799.

Les Incas, ou La destruction de l'empire du Pérou par M. Marmontel.

Paris : Lacombe, 1777.

Rare Books Collection PQ 2005.I5 1777


Marmontel, Jean François, 1723-1799.

The Incas: or, The destruction of the empire of Peru by M. Marmontel ; in two volumes.

Dublin, Messrs. Price, Whitestone [and others] 1777.

Rare Books Collection PQ 2005.I5 E5 1777A


Mercier, Louis-Sébastien, 1740-1814.

Memoirs of the year two thousand five hundred. New edition rev. and corr. to which is now prefixed some account of the author.

Liverpool : W. Jones, 1802.

American Popular Literature Collection PQ2007.M6A51802A

Translation, by William Hooper, of L'an deux mille quatre cent quarante.


Popular English Novels

Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745.

[Gulliver's travels]. Travels into several remote nations of the world : In four parts / By Lemuel Gulliver, first a surgeon, and then a captain of several ships.

London : B. Motte, 1726. [1st ed.]

Rare Books Collection PR3724.G7 1726


Coventry, Francis, d. 1759.

The history of Pompey the Little, or, The life and adventures of a lap-dog . . . 2nd ed.

London : Printed for M. Cooper, at the Globe in Paternoster Row, 1751.

Rare Books Collection PR3369.C7 H5 1751


Griffith, Mrs. (Elizabeth), 1720?-1793.

A collection of novels selected and revised by Mrs. Griffith.

London : Printed for G. Kearsly . . ., 1777.

Rare Books Collection PR1101 .G75X

Contents: Zayde : a Spanish history / written originally in French by Monsieur de Segrais -- Oroonoko, or, The royal slave / written by Mrs. Behn --The Princess of Cleves --The Fruitless enquiry / written by Mrs. Haywood -- The history of Agnes de Castro -- The noble slaves / by Mrs. Aubin -- The history of the Count de Balfor and Leonora de Cespedes.


Davis, John, 1774-1854.

The post-captain, or, The wooden walls well manned : comprehending a view of naval society and manners / by the author of 'Edward,' 'A view of society in France,' &c. The third edition, corrected.

London : Published by Thomas Tegg, 111, Cheapside, Printed by Hazard and Carthew, 49, Beech-street, 1808.

Rare Books Collection PR 4525.D56 P6 1808A

Notes: Also ascribed to John Moore.


Hofland, Mrs. (Barbara), 1770-1844.

Moderation : a tale by Mrs. Hofland.

Philadelphia : R.W. Pomeroy, 1826.

American Popular Literature Collection. PR4790.H8 M61826a


Popular American Novels

Foster, Hannah Webster, 1759-1840.

The coquette, or, The history of Eliza Wharton : a novel, founded on fact by a lady of Massachusetts. 3rd edition.

Newburyport [Mass.] : Published and sold by Thomas & Whipple ; Salem, Mass. : Sold also by Henry Whipple, 1811 (Newburyport : W. & J. Gilman)

American Popular Literature Collection PS744.F7 C67 1811a

References: Shaw & Shoemaker, 22837. Notes: Publisher's advertisements: p. [2]-[9]. Former owner: Maria Bemis, Charleston.


Rowson, Mrs., 1762-1824.

The history of Charlotte Temple. A tale of truth. By Mrs. Rawson. Two volumes in one.

Printed for Hez. Steel no. 218 Warren street, Hudson.Catskill, NY: Elliott, 1808.

Rare Books Collection PS2736.R3 C51808A


Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851.

The wept of Wish Ton-Wish : a tale / by the author of The pioneers, Prairie, &c. &c.

Philadelphia : Carey,Lea & Blanchard, 1838, c1829.

American Popular Literature Collection PS1418 .W7 1838a


Child, Lydia Maria Francis, 1802-1880.

An appeal in favor of that class of Americans called Africans / by Mrs. Child.

Boston : Allen and Ticknor, 1833.

African-American Collection. E449 .C53 1833a


Instructional Literature for Children

Janeway, James, 1636?-1674.

A token for children : being an exact account of the conversion, holy and exemplary lives and joyful deaths of several young children by James Janeway . . . to which is added, A token for the children of New-England, or, Some examples of children, in whom the fear of God was remarkably budding before they died, in several parts of New England ; preserved and published for the encouragement of piety in other children ; with new additions.

Boston : Printed and sold by Z. Fowle, in Back Street, near the Mill-Bridge, 1771.

American Popular Literature Collection. BR1714.J3 1771a


The story-teller: a collection of original tales, calculated to lead the youthful mind to the love of religion, morality, and virtue. Munroe & Francis' juvenile library.

Boston : Munroe and Francis, [181-?]

Special Collections PZ5 .S775


Cameron, Mrs. (Lucy Lyttelton), 1781-1858.

Marten and his two little scholars at a Sunday school / by the author of "The two lambs," &c; revised by the Committee of Publication.

Philadelphia : American Sunday School Union, 1827.

American Popular Literature Collection PZ6.C146MA


Kennedy, Grace, 1782-1825.

Anna Ross; a story for children. By the author of "The decision;" Profession is not principle," "Father Clement," & c. 4th American ed.

New York, Burgess, 1828.

American Popular Literature Collection PZ6.K48 AN6


Sir Walter Scott

Scott, Walter, Sir, 1771-1832.

Tales of my landlord [1st series] collected and arranged by Jedediah Cleishbotham . . .

Edinburgh, Printed for W. Blackwood and J. Murray, 1816.

Rare Books Collection PR 5316.T2 1816


Scott, Walter, Sir, 1771-1832.

Ivanhoe; a romance. By the author of "Waverley".

Edinburgh, A. Constable and Co., [etc., etc.] 1820. First edition. Actually published December, 1819.

Rare Books Collection PR5318 .A1 1820


Scott, Walter, Sir, 1771-1832.

Woodstock; or, The cavalier. A tale of the year sixteen hundred and fifty-one. By the author of "Waverley, Tales of the crusaders". [1st ed.]

Edinburgh, A. Constable and Co. [etc., etc.] 1826.

Special Collections PR5322 .W6 1826


Scott, Walter, Sir, 1771-1832.

Guy Mannering; or the astrologer.

New York, F.M. Lupton [1829].

American Popular Literature Collection PR5317 .G6 1829a


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