An Etymological Dictionary of Family & Christian Names: With an Essay on Their Derivation & Import Book

I love early American history and this book (itself originally published in 1896) highlighted more information I did not know; like untying a knot signified consent to marriage; city lights were required in 1697; the animals, birds, and fish were giant and plentiful, some ancient lobsters being six feet long; the Dutch drank excessively and at every occasion including barn raising, the signing of contracts and funerals; they literally sanded floors, putting sand on them, to keep them clean; and fine secretary grass which grew on Long Island became the landscape for much horse racing.