Book List Receipt

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The School Committee requested this list of books and supplies for the African School while it was still located in the basement of the African Meeting House. Among the books listed are significant educational workbooks of the day, including Murray’s English Grammar and Colburn’s First Lessons. 

Questions to Consider

1. Look at one of the above-mentioned lesson books, or another listed in the book list. What are your impressions of these workbooks? Are there any similarities to schooling today?
2. Consider the subjects covered in the book list. What subjects did educators consider important in the 19th century?
3. If historians 100 years from now looked at school book lists of today, what titles would be included?

Transcription

1831 The City of Boston to William Bascom Dr.

Dec 15 – To Books procured for the African School, by direction of the School Committee, viz.

1 Doz. National Readers – – – $6.00

1 1/2 Doz. Introduction to Do. – – – 4.50

3 Doz. National Spelling Books – – -7.20

1/2 Doz. Colburn’s First Lessons – – -1.50

1/2 Doz. Murray’s Grammar – – – 1.50

1/2 Doz. Blasdale’s Questions in Geography – – – 1.20

1 Doz. Writing Books – – – 0.63

2 Worcester’s Atlas – – – 1.80

1 Walker’s Dictionary – – – 0.50

1 Quire Wrapping paper – – – 0.25

25. 08

Rec’d. twenty five Dollars in fall

William Bascom