Scot, George (d. 1685) of Scotstarvit.

Estimate

8,000 - 12,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

The model of the government of the province of East-New Jersey in America. Edinburgh: John Reid, 1685

8vo (139 x 84mm.), [8], 272pp., binding: contemporary blind-ruled calf, spine gilt, small hole in A4 (affecting a few letters), other small tears, spotting

Literature

Wing S2035; Sabin 78186; Church 697; Aldis 2605.5

Catalogue Note

first edition, second issue, of this most influential and extremely rare work, aimed at encouraging Scottish emigration to East New Jersey. In addition to Scot's own utopian tractate, it contains numerous letters from the early settlers detailing the ebb and flow of their new lives.

Scot's reward for his literary efforts was a grant of 500 acres in the territory. Aboard the "Henry and Francis", he set sail with his family and, reportedly 200, fellow emigrants in mid-1685. Scot and his wife sickened and died before reaching their destination, but the new settlement was named Scotsplains (now Scotch Plains) in his honour.

The New Jersey Historical Society reprinted this work in 1846 as an appendix to the first volume of its Collections.