This old object of Americana, a patriotic folk art and manuscript artifact of Greenfield Hill, Connecticut is titled, Stars And Stripes, and Greenfield Weekly on the front cover. Greenfield Hill is in Fairfield, Connecticut.Also on the cover of this manuscript book is a hand-sewn American flag, along with a vintage graphic of a patriotic scroll which reads the Civil War Battle Cry, Union Forever the last couple letters missing from corner damage, and two patriotic graphics of American flags, one which is beneath the sewn flag. The hand-sewn flag is primitive and likely by a school-age childs hand. The book is bound, also by hand, with fine braided purple thread. The flag is sewn to the yellow paper front cover with red, white and blue ribbon fabric, and the stars are simple crosses of white thread. The flags pole is sewn with blue and red ribbon fabric, all in a quaint and primitive patriotic fashion. The book contains twelve fully manuscript pages in mostly fine and legible penmanship in ink of the period. On verso of the front cover, also written in ink of the period, are the names, Elizabeth A. Ogden, Mary G. Cbell, John Grey, and Fredrick sic. Frederick Sherwood, with Editors and Proprietrs sic. Proprietors. The pages are of maker-embossed laid paper, and on the first page, the first article begins with, For the Stars and Stripes. By A. B. Wakeman. There is a little place in the State of Connecticut called Greenfield Hill, from this place you can have a very fine view of Long Island Sound which his sic. is directly south. The article goes on to discuss an academy kept by Mr. Marcus Burr of about twenty scholars, a post office in a store, kept for many years by Mr. William Bradley, among other subjects. The second article is by Andrew Downing, and begins with a poem, and then discusses, among other things, everyday life, seasons and weather. The next article is by Mary G. Cbell, and discusses many subjects about everyday life. Another article is by Henry Banks titled, Improvement of the Mind. Articles include quotes such as ...what a shortsighted creature man is, regarding the Civil War, soldiers who are fighting in defense of their country, Littlefield is mentioned, likely referring to slavery, fashion and beauty were inmates of that mansion, dozens of Africas able sons and daughters, Peter Stuyversant sic. Stuyvesantthe last Dutch governor of new York is said to have has a vane erected upon a pole to point out which way the wind blew., among many other fascinating quotes and discussions. Additionally, there is more poetry, other short anecdotes, and a section titled,Pussledom, with short textual puzzles to solve. Lastly, the only dated article, March 21, 1863, by Martha H. Cbell, covers many patriotic and spiritual subjects in a philosophical and poetic vein.This most unusual piece of patriotic and artistic Americana is a rare historical treasure. Hopefully, it will find its proper home in Fairfield, Connecticut for its next 160 years.The Greenfield Hill Historic District encompasses the historic village area of the village of Greenfield Hill in northern Fairfield, Connecticut. The area was important from the mid-18th to 19th centuries as an intellectual center in the town, driven in part by Timothy Dwight, the Greenfield Hill Church minister and later president of Yale College.Condition is fair, with much loss at two corners, resulting in relatively little loss of manuscript, and with otherwise moderate wear, overall certainly very presentable for it delicate construction and 160 years.This manuscript book can be seen and purchased in Narragansett, Rhode Island for $75.00, or can be purchased as seen and described, and mailed via USPS Priority Mail with tracking and insurance for $85.00.
