1791 JOHN WILLISON. Explanation of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism. Signed Texas Freedom Fighter!

Scarely early American imprint of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism with notes by John Willison, etc., As far as we can trace, this is the earliest edition of the Shorter Catechism published in America rather than "the colonies." 

Excellent provenance from the prominent Clopper family of Presbyterians from New Jersey, and later Texas and Ohio, including one son known as The General to the Texas Freedom Fighters. See below.

Willison, John. An Explanation of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism. Humbly Offered as an Help for Instructing the Young and Ignorant in the Principles and Duties of the Christian Religion. With a Preface, Briefly Demonstrating the Truth of Divine Relation. By the Rev. Mr. John Willison, Late Minister of the Gospel at Dundee. Philadelphia. Printed for William Young, Bookseller. 1791. 316pp.

A good + copy, bound in leather, with the front hinge breached, but still generally solid. Pages have light to moderate foxing, with a few small tears with no loss, and sepia ink on the rfep.

PROVENANCE:

Nicholas Clopper [1761-1841] spent his formative years in New York City and Baltimore, Maryland, and then later purchased a farm and operated a dry goods business in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. In about 1806, Nicholas purchased a plantation in Frederick County, Maryland. After a few years, he moved his family again, this time to a farm near Cincinnati, Ohio. Nicholas was also among the first investors in the territory of Texas, and one of his sons, Andrew [who also signs this volume], was among the first settlers. 

His investment in Texas was costly though. Within a few years, Nicholas lost two of his sons in in the Territory; his namesake, Nicholas, was murdered while camped by the Colorado River . And another son, Edward, died of fever in San Felipe de Austin, Republic of Texas. 

Nicholas and his sons made significant contributions to the development of the area. In 1827, Nicholas helped establish the Texas Trading Association. He also raised the funds needed to purchase two cannons (named the "Twin Sisters") that were donated to the Texas freedom fighters. His son, Andrew, took part as a soldier in several of the battles for independence and later received grants of land in appreciation of his efforts.

From thence, to his son:

Andrew May Clopper [1791-1853]. Andrew initially left the family, setting in Kentucky, but then rejoined his father in the Texas venture where he initially worked as a storekeeper for the Texas Trading Arts Association. About this time, he also received two tracts of land in Texas from his father.

Committed to the Texas Territory, he enlisted in the armed forces in defense of his adopted homeland. By 1836, Andrew was a soldier in the Army of Texas fighting at the Battle of San Jacinto as a member of Captain William H. Smith's cavalry company. He served with distinction and later his friends and acquaintances referred to him as "The General." In 1838, he was issued a bounty certificate for 640 acres because of his service in the army.

It was then gifted to his younger sister, Caroline Chambers Clopper.