Bookplate of John Rutherfurd (1760-1840) on front pastedown of Adam Smith, Theory of Moral Sentiments (London, 1759) (Ex 6305.863.11). Rutherfurd has numbered this book as ‘No. 1.’ The ‘Library, College of New Jersey’ booklabel and adjacent markings in ink indicate that this book first came into the Library of Princeton University in the middle of the 19th cent.

Book number 141 in John Rutherfurd’s library: Timothy Dwight, The Conquest of Canaan (Hartford, 1765). (Ex) N-003742

John Rutherfurd (1760-1840) graduated Princeton with the Class of 1776. A lawyer by profession, he served as Senator from New Jersey from 1791-1798. (See his biography in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.) His books were held by the family for many years and then much of his library was sold in a three-part sale by the City Book Auction (New York City) in 1952 (3 pts. in 2).

Other books owned by Rutherfurd —
• No. 5 – [Allinson, Samuel, compiler.] Acts of the General Assembly of the Province of New-Jersey. (Burlington, 1776). Private collection.
• No. 20 – Wallis, John (1616-1703). A Treatise of Algebra, both Historical and Practical. London: John Playford for Richard Davis, 1685. Sold Christie’s London in 2020.
• Number not known – Shaw, Samuel. An Interesting Narrative of the Travels of James Bruce, Esq. Into Abyssinia, to Discover the Source of The Nile. Abridged from the Original Work. New York: Re-printed for Berry and Rogers, 1790. Doyle auctions, lot 166, April 17, 2019.
• Ownership inscription – The Petitions and memorials of the proprietors of West and East-Jersey … New York: Shepard Kollock, 1784. Princeton University Library (Ex 1174.271.2 c.1)

Image courtesy of Joseph Felcone.

Image courtesy of Joseph Felcone.