Creating and operating a school in Belfast, Maine, as recorded in a file of 33 manuscript documents, more fully described below

Having moved from Salem to Belfast in 1807, Read quickly realized the need for a school, for the needs of the community and his children, launching his effort to build something from the ground up; instrumental in its establishment, Read served on the schools Board of Trustees until his death. Old fold lines to most, some other light storage wear and soiling, but a very good lot. (1) READ. Retained autograph copies of 1808 letters to Joseph Story (1779-1845; Salem judge and state legislator, U.S, Supreme Court justice, author of important American legal works) and Thomas Whittier, a state legislator for then Belfast region, seeking help on a petition for a charter and grant of land to establish "a contemplated Academy in Belfast," local citizens having already raised "upwards of $4000" for the project. The letter to Story: 4to, 2-pages, approximately 250 words, signed by Read; Story was named to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1812, serving until his death. The letter to Whittier, on an integral leaf: 4to 1-page, approximately 175 words, in Read's hand, but unsigned. (2) READ. Extracts from Secretary's Records [caption title]. 4-page manuscript, printing selections from records relating to the construction of the academy, 1808-1814. (3) READ. An Inventory of the Property belonging to the Trustees of Belfast Academy Jany. 1st 1809 [caption title to a manuscript "Waste-Book" recording the school's inventory and accounting for building the school and other operating expenses, 1808-1810]. Small 4to (25 cm). (17) pp. Plain drab wrappers. (4) (READ) Trustees meeting, fund raising, and accounting reports, land grants, requests to local officials and state legislators, promises to send children to the school, etc., relating to the building and operating of the Belfast Academy, 1808-1832. 22 manuscript documents, 31 pages total, approximately 2500 words. 4to and folio, almost all in the hand of Nathan Read, several signed by him. Accompanied by seven small receipts, 1808, 1810, 1826, and 1828 (4). For the file of 32 documents.…