Steele, Ashbel. Chief of the Pilgrims: or The Life and Time of William Brewster, Ruling Elder of the Pilgrim Company that founded New Plymouth, the Parent Colony of New England, in 1620; Illustrated with Five Steel and Four other Engravings. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott and Co., 1857. First Edition. [10536]
Faded publisher's cloth, frayed at the spine ends, 9 x 6 inches, joints good, tight. Contemporary private bookplate and a later early 20th century private bookplate on the front end papers. 416 clean pp. with plates, map, and illustrations. Good. Hardcover.
The first biography of William Brewster, commissioned by a meeting of his descendants held at Norwich, Connecticut, in 1853.
"Whereas no Biography, containing even al the marked incidents of Elder Brewster's life, has ever yet been written; and, whereas, additional facts have been lately brought to light, and faithful research may bring forth others, as material for this purpose...&c." The descendants made arrangements with the author, the Rev. Ashbel Steele, to write the biography that we offer here.
Rev. Steele's wife, Clara Brewster Steele, was a direct descendant of William Brewster.
