SILVIA DUBOIS, (NOW 116 YERS OLD.): A BIOGRAFY OF THE SLAVE WHO WHIPT HER MISTRES AND GAND HER FREDOM. Larison, Cornelius Wilson. C. W. Larison publishing, Ringoes, NJ: C.W. Larison, 1883). Original narrow octavo, plain black cloth, pp. 124, 4 terminal leaves of publisher s ads. Frontispiece portrait of Dubois, two illustrated plates wrought in a manner reminiscent of Edward Gorey. Very good+ copy. A slave narrative whose authenticity remains in some doubt. Not in doubt, however, is the book s most peculiar orthography, which reaches for a form of abstruse phonetics, and which guarantees that merely reading the book will be a challenge. Larison developed the orthography in the fonic speler and sylabater: desind as an ad in acqwiring a noleg ov the fundamental principls ov the English langwag, also published in 1883 and termed orthoepy. Given that he was trying to transcribe dialect, and that there was a large movement to understand and preserve dialect in North America at the time, it is no surprise that Larison attempted to transcribe his interviews with Dubois in her dialect (think Uncle Remus, which was enjoying immense popularity at the time.). After 1883, Larison wrote and published several books in this improved language. HSP/LCP Collection #1252. Remarkably Rare. Cornelius Wilson Larison (1849 1929) was an American author and publisher. He was known for his work in preserving local history and producing historical publications, particularly related to Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and surrounding areas. He was born on July 31, 1849, in Larisons Corner, a hamlet in Delaware Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He attended Clinton Academy in Clinton, New Jersey. Larison worked as a teacher and later became a publisher and author, he gained recognition for his efforts in preserving local history through his writings. He authored and published several historical works, often focusing on the history of Hunterdon County and its communities. Ringoes Publishing Company: He operated a publishing company in Ringoes, New Jersey, known as the C.W. Larison Publishing Company. Larison was actively involved in local affairs and served as the secretary of the Hunterdon County Historical Society. One of his notable publications is "SILVIA DUBOIS, (NOW 116 YERS OLD.): A BIOGRAFY OF THE SLAVE WHO WHIPT HER MISTRES AND GAND HER FREDOM," published in 1883. This work likely reflects Larison's interest in preserving and sharing local histories. Cornelius Wilson Larison passed away on January 23, 1929, at the age of 79. While Larison may not be widely known on a national scale, his contributions to preserving and documenting local history, particularly through the C.W. Larison Publishing Company, have made a lasting impact on the historical understanding of Hunterdon County and the surrounding regions in New Jersey. The most recent copy to come to auction sold for 11,875USD Item ID#0585. Seller Inventory # 0585
