RIAMCO

Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online

For Participating Institutions

Benjamin Weld spelling book (RLC.Ms.577)

Redwood Library and Athenaeum

50 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
Tel: (401) 847-0292
Fax: (401) 841-5680


Scope & content

This collection is comprised of a spelling book, created by Benjamin Weld and dated 1770, holding about ten pages of spelling words written in sounded-out syllables. This book also contains a list of men’s and women’s names to assist smaller children in learning to write. The last few pages of the book are prayers for use in school and by children, to be said morning and evening. On the cover of this book is written, “Benjamin Weld his Spelling Book, April 18 Anno Domini 1770, for Words.” The back cover appears as if it has been used as scrap paper to solve math equations.

Also included is one page of what appears to be an assignment. The title of the assignment is “an epitaph found in a country church yard.” The bottom of this letter is signed and dated by Benjamin Weld, June 29, 1772.