(AMERICAN REVOLUTION 1777) Thomson George The Anatomy of th

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(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1777.) Thomson, George. The Anatomy of the Human Bones. 14 of 15 plates. [12], 299, [49] pages. 8vo, contemporary calf, worn; foxed and worn throughout, inscription excised from page [iii], lacking rear free endpaper; extensive ownership inscriptions to endpapers and title page. London, 1744

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This standard anatomy text is noteworthy mainly for its provenance--it passed through the hands of several American surgeons before and during the American Revolution. The first known owner was James Phillips Putnam (1745-1824), who inscribed the book several times and dated it in September 1766, 1770, and 1771; he was a physician in Danvers, MA who fought at Lexington in 1775. He apparently lent the book to Israel Trask (1745-1808), who inscribed that he had "begun this book" in November 1766; in 1776, he became the first to inoculate for smallpox in Brimfield, MA. Caleb Rea (1758-1796) of Danvers began reading the book in May 1777, two years after enlisting as a surgeon aboard American privateers. Other undated signers include James Phillips Putnam's sons Dr. Amos Putnam and Nathan Putnam, who both served with their father at Lexington; Benjamin Herrick; and Joseph Willes. Used by at least three physicians of the Revolution.