CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY: OR, A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE OLD PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATIONS OF CUMBERLAND AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, IN PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia: Joseph M. Wilson, 1852. xix, [1], [13]-338 pages. Original dark blue cloth stamped in gold and blind, with pictorial centerpiece in gold on front cover. [19.1 cm.] Ex-Sondley Reference Library with faint reminder of removed call number at base of spine, tasteful bookplate on front pastedown, embossed stamp to title and one other leaf, and number stamp on verso of title and in margin of one other page. Else a very good copy. Tiny traces of wear to spine ends and corners. Light to moderate foxing; a few leaves a little tanned. Signature of O[liver] S[mith] Sammis (1827-1912), a prominent merchant and real estate developer in Huntington, Long Island, on front endpapers. FIRST EDITION. PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION BY THE AUTHOR, on front free endpaper. It reads: "Rev. Dr. Davidson, with the regards of the Author." The recipient was Rev. Robert Davidson (1808-1876), whose "History of the Presbyterian Church in the State of Kentucky" (1847) is quoted in the first chapter of the book. His father, also the Rev. Robert Davidson (1750-1812), is mentioned several places in the text. The younger Davidson published numerous works including "An Excursion to the Mammoth Cave, and the Barrens of Kentucky" (1840), various church histories and biographies, a collection of poems, and a multitude of sermons and addresses. One of the titles was a "Historical Discourse on the Bi-Centennial Commemoration of the Founding of the First Christian Church in the Town of Huntington, L.I." (1866), which suggests a connection between Rev. Davidson and O.S. Sammis. Sabin 52420.