The Pleader's Guide, a Didactic Poem

Philadelphia: Samuel Akerman, 1803. First American edition. Hinges cracked but boards holding, covers bowed, wear at extremities; some browning and foxing internally. Two parts in one volume, 8vo (8 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches). vii, 70; x, 81 pages. Contemporary sheep. Provenance: With the ownership signature of Daniel De Benneville on title, with his manuscript notes and underlinings throughout, and three leaves of manuscript notes laid in at front with title "A Grey Cap for a Green-head", being quotations from James Puckle's book "The Club: Or, a Grey Cap for a Green Head," a collection of maxims and anecdotes premised on a conversation between father and son. Inkstamp of a later owner on title. Daniel De Benneville (1753–1828) enlisted as a surgeon in Colonel William Russell's 13th Virginia Regiment, and he served as Surgeon-in-chief of the Flying Hospital of the Continental Army. He underlines text, draws paraphs or manicules and inserts his own thoughts and interpretations in the margins. The legal poem provides De Benneville with ample opportunity to invoke his own interpretations of the law. The University of Stirling has an annotated book much like this (see "On the Streets of Philadelphia: Annotations and Marginalia in a Philadelphian Political Pamphlet," Josh Smith, 31 July 2023). (Inventory #: 410599)