Josiah Priest (1788 - 1851) was a popular American nonfiction writer of the early 19th century. His books and pamphlets, which presented both standard and speculative history and archaeology sold in the thousands. Although Priest appears to have been poorly educated, he attempted to portray himself as an authority in his books. Priest is often identified as one of the creators of pseudoscientific and pseudohistoric literature. Although his work was widely read and several of his works were published in multiple editions, his books were characterized by theories that were used to justify the violent domination over both the Native American and African-American peoples. Priest's works were among the most overtly racist of his time. Priest's offensive works help set the stage for the genocide of the Trail of Tears and the defense of slavery that contributed to the conflicts of the Civil War. Priest was born in Unadilla. New York. At the age of 24 he married Eliza Perry from Lansingburgh, New York. After a brief period in Lansingburgh, they migrated to Albany, New York around the year 1819. While there, Priest was first employed as a coach "trimmer" or upholsterer. He later worked in leather, mainly fashionmg saddles and harnesses. After graduating from Hamilton College, he attended the seminary and became a clergyman. He was reportedly well-liked by the churchgoers for his dramatic performance during the sermons, ultimately causing several of them to receive publication. Around 1824, Priest decided to give up his profession as a leather worker and become a writer. It did not take him long to get published; withm the same year, a small booklet he wrote titled The Wonders of Nature and Providence Displayed was printed. However, he did not experience significant success until 1833, with the publication of American Antiquities and Discoveries of the West. RARE ALS, October 29, 1840, 2pp, concerning one of his pamphelts and payment to a Mr. Treadwell of Albany, NY.

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