One of the things I try to do within my classes is to have students read primary sources to understand what took place during early U.S. history. It's not perfect and can be quite a challenge but I'm always trying to provide them accounts of what happened because I always get the "How do we know it happened this way?" question.

Below is a list of the primary sources I use but I'm looking to add more so that I can help my students. Any suggestions for early U.S. history is appreciated:

Mayflower Compact(it's a bear for 8th grade students)
John Punch Case
Elizabeth Key Case
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Magna Carta
Navigation Acts
Declaration of Independence
Constitution of the United States
Bill of Rights
Testimonies from the Boston Massacre case
Firebell in the Night
Hartford Convention
Jackson's Inauguration
Horace Greely "Go West"
Clay's Resolutions of 1850
Nashville Convention
Declaration of Causes
Both of Lincoln's Inaugurations
Jeff Davis Inauguration
Lost Friends Adverts

Again, any and all suggestions are appreciated. I'd like to see more sources from more common Americans if possible. Maybe something to do with the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and thoughts on secession from any year.

Washington's farewell address

Federalist and anti-fenderlist

Common Sense

Any of the various seccesion resolutions

Emancipation proclamation (note- the EP only freed slaves in States currently in a state of rebellion

Lincoln-Douglas

Also, define "early"

Looks like your at least to 1861/2

Might also look at TJs personal correspondence, particularly anything that deals with both LA purchase and Lewis and Clark Expedition

Probably worthwhile to read the entirety of the Danbury Baptist letter and out it in context to see how "wall of separation...." has been grossly misapplied.

There's nothing particularly unique about the Mayflower Compact. You could compare it to literally any other Congregationalist covenant, in a place like Dedham, for example, and see it's a fairly standard agreement. Unique meaning was ascribed to it in the 19th century. If you want to have them read it to understand Puritan notions of community you can, but it's not setting up a linear narrative to the formation of the United States.

If you want some more challenging things, have them read Lord Dunmore's Proclamation, and especially "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" The real version of Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman," speech is a short intro to the 19th century women's rights movement.

For the Mexican American War, you could have them read Grant's Memoirs on his service there.

Joseph Plumb Martin's diary has some good sections on life as a common soldier during the Revolution.

cavscout96 said:

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Washington's farewell address

Federalist and anti-fenderlist

Common Sense

Any of the various seccesion resolutions

Emancipation proclamation (note- the EP only freed slaves in States currently in a state of rebellion

Lincoln-Douglas

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I forgot to list Washington's Farewell Speech, Common Sense, and Feds/Anti-Feds but I appreciate it.

We also read Lord Dunmore's Proclamation as well.

Madison -Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments
Madison - Speech on Amendments to the Constitution
Madison - "Property"
Marbury v. Madison - I suspect you are already doing this


More later, but this book:

50 Core American Documents Required Reading for Students, Teachers and Citizens

is a great resource.

Cornerstone Speech
Mary Chestnut's Diary
Sam Watkin's memoir, Co. Aytch.
Twelve Years a Slave (the book, not the movie)

Excellent list for 8th Grade! (And those that added were good too)......many, if not all, of these primary sources will be covered on the STAAR Test.....as a fellow teacher of 8th U.S. History...here are some other's I might throw in:
Abigail Adams' letter to her husband after they declared independence (Remember the ladies!)
The Monroe Doctrine
Jackson's Veto message (about the bank)
Worcester V. Georgia
The Declaration of Sentiments
Roger B. Taney's opinion on Dred Scott v. Sanford
Frederick Douglass' response to Dred Scott v. Sanford
Lincoln's A House Divided Speech
Gettysburg Address

Two suggestions:

1. John Robinson's farewell letter to the Pilgrims. When the members of this church decided to immigrate to the New World, they could afford passage only for a small group. John Robinson, the minister of the Pilgrims' church in Leyden, decided to stay behind until the majority of his parishioners could make the voyage. He died in 1626 without ever making it to America.

I don't want to bore other people, but I have a set of questions that I came up with on Robinson's letter if you're interested.

2. In 1775 Elizabeth Clarke was the twelve-year-old daughter of Jonas Clarke, minister of the small town of Lexington, Massachusetts. Her house was located about 400 yards from the central park, or common, of the village. On April 19, 1841, Elizabeth Clarke, still living in the old family home, wrote a letter to her niece describing what she remembered from that famous day so many years before. I cannot locate where I found this letter on the internet, but I can copy it and paste it here if you want it.

OldArmy71 said:

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Two suggestions:

1. John Robinson's farewell letter to the Pilgrims. When the members of this church decided to immigrate to the New World, they could afford passage only for a small group. John Robinson, the minister of the Pilgrims' church in Leyden, decided to stay behind until the majority of his parishioners could make the voyage. He died in 1626 without ever making it to America.

I don't want to bore other people, but I have a set of questions that I came up with on Robinson's letter if you're interested.

2. In 1775 Elizabeth Clarke was the twelve-year-old daughter of Jonas Clarke, minister of the small town of Lexington, Massachusetts. Her house was located about 400 yards from the central park, or common, of the village. On April 19, 1841, Elizabeth Clarke, still living in the old family home, wrote a letter to her niece describing what she remembered from that famous day so many years before. I cannot locate where I found this letter on the internet, but I can copy it and paste it here if you want it.

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I am interested. Feel free to email me at Dawgred1@yahoo.com.

I sent you an email but it said the address was not found.

Sorry. It is dawgred01@yahoo.com.