Arithmetical exercise book explaining and demonstrating addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, wine measure, dry and long measures. Inscribed: “Robert Spilsbe Coleman His Book August the 19, 1773,” and probably used by him until 1775. Next used by Coleman’s son, Robert Spilsbe, Jr., in 1782–1783 and 1821. Also contains a list of family births, 1851–1857. The Spotsylvania County records, 1721–1800, list several branches of the Coleman family, which included several Robert Spilsbes. This individual cannot be absolutely identified.

Bound in a limp canvas binding. The first and last leaves of text have been adhered to the canvas. Both the canvas covering and several pages have substantial areas of loss.