A primer for the use of the Mohawk children . . .

Developed to meet the demand for instructional materials by the Mohawk refugee communities established in Canada after the American Revolution, this primer presents lessons in both English and Mohawk. The contents range from the differing alphabets of both languages, lists of words according to number of syllables (examples include “Hun-ger-bit-ten” and “fel-low-pri-son-er”. . .?) to religious instruction, including a catechism and prayers. The first edition of the primer, printed in Montreal in 1781, is exceedingly rare; this London printing added a frontispiece depicting a classroom of Mohawk students with their instructor, possibly Paulus Sahonwadi, son of the Mohawk leader Hendrick [Theyanoguin].