DICKENSON, JONATHAN | God's Protecting Providence... London: Mary Hinde, [1772]

DICKENSON, JONATHAN

God's Protecting Providence, Man's surest felp and defence, in the times of greatest difficulty, and most eminent danger, evidenced in the remarkable deliverance of Robert Barrow, with divers other persons, from the devouring waves of the sea, amongst which they suffered a shipwreck; and also from the cruel devouring jaws of the inhuman canibals of Florida ... The fifth edition. London: Mary Hinde, [1772]

12mo. Contemporary calf; front joint cracked. Housed in a green morocco backed box.

Scarce 18th century edition of a noted Florida shipwreck and Indian captivity narrative

Dickenson, a Quaker merchant, departed from Port Royal in August 1696 with his family, a noted Quaker missionary named Robert Barrow, and more than 20 other passengers. Bound for Philadelphia, a storm shipwrecked their bark near present-day Jupiter Island Florida. Captured by Native Americans, they were stripped of their remaining possessions. The survivors endured an arduous journey by foot and canoe some 200 miles north to St. Augustine, where they arrived in starving and wretched condition. Taken in by the Spaniards, once recovered the group were sent on to Charleston, South Carolina, before eventually reaching Philadelphia.

The first edition, published in Philadelphia in 1699—being the first book of general interest printed in that city—is a noted rarity of Americana, with only a handful of known copies. This was followed by the first English edition, printed in London the following year. Several 18th century editions, in both Great Britain and America followed. The 1772 date is ascribed to this fifth edition is based on the publication date of one of the books advertised in the rear.

Scarce

REFERENCE:

ESTC T138150; Ayer 68; Howes D317; Sabin 20015 (ascribing the date of 1759); Vail 612; Smith I:529