Query re late 18th-century New York City English

[Joan H. Hall]

Can anyone help him? Please copy your response to the list as well as to
Mr. Hernandez. Thanks.

     Romel J. Hernandez wrote:
      > Hello Ms. von Schneidemesser,
      > I came across your name while doing research for a book I am
writing.
      > I am interested in tracking down a resource that might give me a
      > sense of English dialect in NYC in the 1780s-1790s. I'd be happy
     with
      > a scholarly book or a novel that captures how English may have
      > been spoken at the time -- the rhythms, the slang.
      > I've got Matsell's Vocabulum, which I know dates from the
     mid-1800s, but
      > is still good. I also have Captain Grosse's Dictionary of the Vulgar
      > Tongue. Those are helpful with slang, but I want to get a more
     intimate
      > feel for how people actually spoke in NY.
      > Any suggestions or names of others to contact would be greatly
     appreciated.
      > Keep up your excellent work!
      > Best wishes,
      > Romel Hernandez
        romeljhernandez at yahoo.com

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