1727 HENRY GIBBS. Godly Children their Parents Joy. Important Americana.

A very important early 18th century work of family piety by the Puritan, Henry Gibbs [1668-1723]. It operated in the same space as the New England Primer, the Bay Psalm Book, and the works for the family and children by Increase and Cotton Mather. Referenced in Samuel Sewall's diary.

We trace no copies at auction and available institutionally at the American Antiquarian Society and Harvard University. 

This copy also contains important Rowley, Massachusetts provenance, belonging to Ezekiel Northend [1727] and Elizabeth Northend and Wade Cogswell [1777], both descendants of [son and granddaughter respectively] of Ezekiel Northend [1622-1698]. Ezekiel the Elder was born in Rowley, East Yorkshire and emigrated to Rowley, Massachusetts in 1638. Then still a minor, he arrived at Massachusetts Bay Colony on the ship John of London with a group led by Rev. Ezekiel Rogers or Rowley [who renamed the new community after the majority of the travelers' home in England]. Ezekiel married in 1648 and became a prominent citizen of Rowland, serving as selectman in 1662, 1669, and 1691. By 1677, Ezekial owned four freeholds; and by 1691, his was the highest tax paid in the city of Rowley. Ezekiel the Younger, owner of the present volume, was his only son. 

Fascinatingly, the volume is inscribed "Cousin Ezekiel Northend." This may be in the hand of Gibbs, who appears to have been a relative and originally of Rowley, MA as well. Northend and Gibbs appear on various documents together.

Gibbs, Henry [Benjamin Colman, Preface xiv pp.]. Godly Children their Parents Joy; Exhibited in Several Sermons by the Reverend & Learned Henry Gibbs, M.A. Late Pastor of the Church in Watertown. Boston. Printed by S. Kneeland & T. Green, for D. Henchman, at the Corner Shop, on the South-side of the Town-House. 1727. xiv + 93 + i. 

Absolutely charming original plain early American speckled calf, just some light rubbing. Pages i-viii of the Preface bound in in quality facsimile on period paper.