Stevens, David B. Cyphering Book (MS 023), 1801-1812

This is the ciphering book (or cyphering as it was spelled on the book) of David B. Stevens of Danbury, Connecticut. It appears that this book was begun on November 30, 1801, with the last date of entry coming on March 26, 1812.

Ciphering books were common during the late 1700s and into the early 1800s. They were used to teach arithmetic to students, instead of printed material that is commonly used today. Student would have their own ciphering books to keep records of the lessons they were taught. A student would be given a mathematical problem to solve along with the rule for solving it. Before putting it into the ciphering book though, the student had to solve it on a separate piece of paper and have the teacher approve it before it was entered into the ciphering book. It was also quite common for the pages of a ciphering book to have patterns and designs drawn on them such as calligraphic writing. The pages of a ciphering book often began with mathematical problem, followed by the solution, and then sometimes by the rule. These books were used for many different purposes. Most often though, they were used for businesses and were used to document sales.

It should be noted that ciphering books usually came bound in some form. This book, however, is no longer bound. The type of cover this book had is therefore unknown. Also, the pages are stained and appear to have at one time been exposed to moisture.

David B. (Benedict) Stevens was born 16 Mar 1794 and died 23 Apr 1848 in Danbury. He was born with a twin brother, Ezra Barnum Stevens and they were the grandsons of Revolutionary war veteran, Lt. Ezra Stevens, 1724-1823 (m. Ann Barnum). He is buried at Wooster Cemetery.

David B. Stevens married Lydia Sturges who lived on Main near patch in 1871. Their son, Erastus, was the First Selectman of Danbury in 1870.