Description:
David Augur (1790-1864) was a schoolteacher and artist in Marlboro, Vermont. He was the son of Justus Augur of Marlboro, Vermont, and his second wife, Abigail Spencer. David Augur was probably born in Connecticut, where his half brother Allen was born. The family moved to Middlefield, CT, by 1784. Their move from Middlefield, CT to Marlboro, Vermont, occurred sometime between 1790 and 1810. Examples of Augur's work are rare with perhaps only 30 known examples, but two copybooks containing 13 to 15 paintings each were known in 1968. His letters are often long, rambling, and pedantic and are written as a teacher might instruct a child. He frequently wrote on the proper technique of writing. Each letter has penciled lines using a straight edge or ruler to promote neatness. Some of Augur's letters like this example were rendered for his own amusement, as they are signed with a fictious name or addressed to an unlikely recipient such as "Samuel I. Speculator" or "Southwick E. Inquirer." The letter reads in part: "Marlboro Feb 28th AD 1855/ Dear Friend,/ If we would learn to spell we must take great pains, and get our spelling lessons by HEART, and if we would wish to be GOOD READERS, we must learn GRAMMAR, the DEFINITION of WORDS WELL, and, if we don't understand them, take GREAT CARE in INVESTIGATING them, till we can COMPREHEND them. Reading is an ART that cannot be acquired without great pains, and application; and if we can but understand it perfectly, it is probably worth more than all the pains, abd labour we can bestow upon it. ....As we have time and opportunity, let us READ and UNDERSTAND them, and live up to the GOSPEL as near as we can, and adore the goodness of our MAKER for for HIS INFINITE MERCY and MUNIFICENCE to us. xxx (This xx by David Augur on erudition & c.) for youth) Samuel H. Consideration. To John S. Inspection A Row of Compassses. The letter is bordered by watercolor and ink decoration of vines called "THE MANSION VINE", bell flowers, ovals, and semi circles.
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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2019.64.1 |
