The History of Massachusetts, from the First Settlement Thereof in 1628, Until the Year 1750

2 Vols., 8vo (8 1/2x5) 478 & 452 pp. Contemporary sheep, rebacked in modern pigskin, with two gilt lettered leather spine labels on each volume. Original sheep with scuffing and some white stains. Top hinges seem a little weak, but still in tact. Pages are browned and foxed because of impurities in the water, some pencil notations, and signature of previous owner on both volumes. Still, very good overall. According to Sabin this is the last 18th century American edition of Hutchinson’s history. A third and final volume of this history was published in 1828, which is not included here. Hutchinson (1711-1780) graduated from Harvard (entered at 12 years old) in 1727, and became very successful in business. He also became a very important political figure in colonial America, and was the Royal Governor of Massachusetts in 1771-1774. While he had a strong affection for America, he believed in the authority of the British Government over the colonies. These leanings did not always endear him to many of his contemporaries. Nevertheless, this work provides some real insight into the history of Massachusetts. The section on witchcraft (Volume II pp.22-64) is particularly interesting, because it gives details on the subject of witchcraft leading up to Salem in 1692.