Yellowed with age, but in remarkably good condition, this 1795 prayer book was likely read daily by William Floyd, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. As a Presbyterian, he used this book for personal prayer and reflection, and was careful to sign his name on the title page for safe keeping. He lived in Mastic, Long Island and served as a member of the Continental Congress of 1774-76, a member of Congress from 1789-91 and a New York State Senator in 1808.

This book is part of the Special Collections library at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville and can be accessed by students pursuing the new master’s degree concentration in Special Collections & Rare Books through C.W. Post’s Palmer School of Library and Information Science.