History of the Ojebway Indians with Special Reference to Their Conversion to Christianity by JONES, Rev. Peter (Kahkewaquonaby) [1802-1856] - 1861

London: A.W. Bennett, 1861. 1st. Hard Cover. Very Good. 8vo 18.5cm x 12.5cm (7-3/8 x 5-1/2 inches). vi, [including frontis portrait], [2]-278, [2 ads], 16 illustrations, including 3 portraits plus others showing costumes and weaponry, (all plates called for present). Original red cloth, design pressed into front and back covers. rebacked preserving original spine and new enpapers. Only light foxing to frontis otherwise generally very clean. Very good condition, no dust jacket as issued. Small hand-written note inserted at front end papers with translation of 5 Ojebwa words into English. This work includes his autobiography with an account of his conversion experience, and the details of his ministries. With an introductory notice by the Rev. G. Osborn D.D., secretary of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary society.Jones's father was a Welsh surveyor in northern Canada and his mother was the daughter of the chief of the Mississauga tribe of the Ojibways. He grew up primarily with his mother, as his father traveled much of the time for his work, and at the age of 21 he converted to Christianity, becoming a missionary to the Ojibways. These are the first journals kept by a Canadian native. He became the first native missionary to the Ojibwa, and, with his brother John, was the first translator of books of the Bible into Ojibwa and Chippewa. Although preceded by George Copway's history of the Ojibway tribe, this was the first comprehensive and unified history of the tribe. Posthumously published in 1856.Jones was also photographed [The Hill and Adamson Portrait, [August 4, 1845] in his native regalia - thus the earliest known photograph of a North American Indian. [ Sabin 36591].