Memoirs of an American Lady
With Sketches of Manners and Scenes in America, as They Existed Previous to the Revolution

The Scottish writer Anne Grant (1755–1838) presents her childhood memories of pre-revolutionary New York in this work of 1808.

Anne MacVicar Grant (Author), James Grant Wilson (Edited by)

9781108033398, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 22 September 2011

390 pages, 4 b/w illus. 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 2.2 cm, 0.5 kg

Originally published in 1808, this work had long been out of print before being revived in this 1876 edition, which is enhanced by a biography of the author by her godson. A poet, letter-writer and essayist, Anne Grant (1755–1838) lived in America between the ages of three and thirteen, after which her family returned to Scotland. Described by the author as a 'miscellany of description, observation and detail', the book paints a charming picture of New York life in the idyllic world of pre-revolutionary America. Grant blends memories of her childhood in Albany with biographical details of her friend Madame Schuyler, of whom she wrote 'whatever culture my mind received, I owe to her'. Greatly admired by Scott and Southey, the book provides sketches of New York life alongside anecdotes of the Indians. For more information on this author, see http://orlando.cambridge.org/protected/svPeople?formname=r&person_id=granan

Preface
Memoir of Mrs. Grant
Inscription
Introduction
1. Origin of the settlement of Albany
2. The Five Nations - John and Philip Schuyler
3. Colonel Schuyler and five Sachems visit England
4. Colonel Schuyler and the Sachems
5. State of religion among the settlers
6. Description of Albany
7. Gentle treatment of slaves among the Albanians
8. Education and early habits of the Albanians
9. First adventures of the Indian traders
10. Marriages, amusements, rural excursions, etc.
11. Winter amusements
12. Lay-brothers
13. Progress of knowledge
14. Marriage of Miss Schuyler
15. Philip Schuyler
16. Account of the three brothers
17. The house and rural economy of the Flats
18. Description of Colonel Schuyler's barn
19. Military preparations
20. A refractory warrior
21. Distinguishing characteristics of the New York colonists
22. Adoption of children common in the province
23. Colonel Schuyler's military partiality
24. Progress of civilization in Europe
25. Independence of the Indians how first diminished
26. Attractions of the Indian mode of life
27. Indians attached by conversion
28. Christian Indians
29. Madame's adopted children
30. Death of young Philip Schuyler
31. Hospitality
32. Resources of Madame
33. Followers of the army
34. Arrival of a new regiment
35. Plays acted
36. Domine Frelinghuysen leaves his people
37. Death of Colonel Philip Schuyler
38. Mrs. Schuyler's arrangements and conduct after the Colonel's death
39. Mohawk Indians
40. General Abercrombie
41. Defeat at Ticonderoga
42. The family of Madame's sister
43. Further success of the British arms
44. Burning of the House at the Flats
45. Continuation of the journey
46. Benefit of select reading
47. Gardening and agriculture
48. Madame's family and society described
49. Sir Jeffrey Amherst
50. Pondiac
51. Death of Captain Dalziel
52. Madame's popularity
53. Return of the 55th regiment to Europe
54. Property at Clarendon
55. Return to the Flats
56. Melancholy presages
57. Settlers of a new description
58. Mode of conveying timber in rafts down the river
59. The Swamp
60. Mrs. Schuyler's view of the continental politics
61. Description of the breaking up of the ice on Hudson's Bay
62. Departure from Albany
63. Prosperity of Albany
64. Further reflections
65. Sketch of the settlement of Pennsylvania
66. Prospects brightening in America
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]