Primary Source Document Assignment

The "document assignment" is intended for students to develop a first hand appreciation for history by discovering a document that suits their interest within the period that is being studied.  this assignment empowers a student to research from a variety of primary source documents such as letters, diary entries, cartoons, paintings, songs, poems, and statutes, followed by a series of thought-provoking questions designed to elicit student responses as well as examine student comprehension of the material from class.  these questions should serve as a springboard to stimulate classroom discussion on the topic and enhance the students' critical thinking skills.

The assignment consists of the following:

1) Source

2) Background Information

3) Document Text

4) Questions

[ below is an example of what the assignment includes & research websites]

-The Era of George Washington

-By: David Wolf

-Source: to Rev. M. Morton re: Seeking Payment from tardy tenant of George Fairfax

-Author: George Washington

-Date: 2/2/1775

-Background Information: This document illuminates the patriarchal dependence of a monarchical society during pre-revolutionary America.  Tenantry was an institution that served as a major source of proprietary wealth and dependence by allowing the landed gentry to collect rents from their tenants as a major source of their income.  With the collection of wealth above the marketplace, independent gentlemen were able to maintain their influence and leisure within their community.  Through Washington's interaction with Rev. M. Morton, the document shows a sense of conformity on behalf of the inferior to the superior.

-Document Text:

Feby. 2d. 1775 Mount Vernon Revd. Sir, I cannot help expressing my Surprize at, after having 6 weeks longer than the time allowed to fulfil all engagements in; and after being told that I had not fixed my fancy particularly upon Mr. Baylor as your Security, that you should, at length come up with the Bond unexecuted - If conjectures, upon this occasion, are allowable; you must give me leave to express mine [strike-out][inserted: by adding that I fear] - you have experienced what I was [strike-out] [inserted: apprehensive of to wish] a difficulty of obtaining [inserted: such] Security [inserted: as you thought would be sufficient] - You will please to recollect, that it was not for one, but Seven Years you took the place. that by so doing, you deprivd another of it who bid within five shilling, of you, - and that my candour in telling you, I could be no neighbour to a Person who bore the Character you (just, as unjustly I shall not pretend to say [struck: which]) did, is no reason why [strike-out] [2] Colo. Fairfax (a third Person) is to have the same Card to play over again next year in pursuit of another Tenant. - If you pay his Rents duly, & fulfil the sevl. Covenanants of the Lease, you will be a good Tenant to him - as his attorney, [strike-out] [inserted: I require no more of you but] for your own sake, I sincerely wish that every evil report of you may be done away. & that you may have it in your power, fully, to evince yr. Innocence under every false accusation [inserted: which either has or can be brought against you] being Red. Sir Yr. Most obedt. Servt. Go: Washington Mt. Vn: Feby. 2d. 1775 To the Revd. Mr Morton [written at margin: ount Vernon]

-Questions:

1) In colonial America, what was an important source for obtaining security?

2) In the landlord-tenant relationship, was the landlord more lenient or strict in his collection of rent and what does this imply about the relationship?

3) Identify two or three examples of dependence or debasement within the landlord-tenant relationship.

4) Besides a tenant paying the rent, what do you think were the other conditions of the lease?

5) In colonial America, was tenantry as strong of an institution of dependence and wealth as in England?  Why or why not?

Websites:

http://www.gilderlehrman.org/collection/index.html

http://www.loc.gov/

http://historyteacher.net

www.ourdocuments.gov/