Address At The Inauguration Of The Hatborough Monument, Commemorating The Battle Of The Crooked Billet, Delivered At Loller Academy, Dec. 5, 1861 (Association Copy)

Hatborough Monumental Association/ W.W.H. Davis, Printer, Doylestown, PA, 1862; First Edition; tall 8vo, 12 pages. Address by Rev. Jacob Belville given at the dedication of the Hatborough Monument on December 5, 1861 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to commemorate the Revolutionary War "Battle Of The Crooked Billet," which took place May 1, 1778 when Brigadier General John Lacey’s American detachment was surprised at daybreak and put to flight by Col. Abercrombie’s British regulars and Major Simcoe’s Queen’s Rangers. Twenty-eight Americans were killed, many of them cruelly burned alive as they attempted to hide in haystacks and wheat fields of neighboring farms. A stirring and impassioned speech delivered at the outset of to the Civil War which makes a fervent plea for the preservation of the Union which the Revolutionary War heroes had fought and died for. Also contains a full description of the dedication proceedings, names and titles of all speakers, a detailed description of the monument and its engraved inscriptions, and a biography of General Lacey who was, interestingly, a Quaker. Bound in 3/4 leather with raised bands, morocco spine label, gilt titles, marbled boards and marbled end papers. Original wraps bound in. Formerly the copy of notable 19th century bibliophile Joseph Y. Jeanes (1859-1928), bearing his bookplate on the front pastedown. Affixed to a number of blank pages at the back are a small archive of 19th century newspaper clippings relating to the Battle Of Crooked Billet. These consist of three substantial histories of the battle; an eye witness account from a 97 year old Pennsylvanian who was 13 at the time; a Dec. 4, 1861 clipping from a Philadelphia newspaper giving notice of the dedication ceremony; a short newspaper biography of General Lacey; and a number of photo illustrated newspapers clippings of the monument. A handwritten notation at the front of the volume reads, "newspaper clippings added by Jos. Y. Janes, 1898." Ownership signature of Helene F. Darlington, great-great-great grandaughter of General Lacey, on the front pastedown. Ms. Darlingtons’ great-great grandfather, noted Pennsylvania author and congressman Dr. William P. Darlington (1782-1863), was General Lacey’s son-in-law, and a principal speaker at the Monument dedication ceremony that day in 1861. Very Good. First gathering detached, comprised of the front marbled endpaper, the two front blank endpapers, and the front wrap. Front hinge cracked for a length of 3 1/4" down from the top. A scarce item with excellent provenance. (Sabin #4613).