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Death Valley in '49 Important chapter
Death Valley in '49 Important chapter

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter is here in full — 50 sentences across 10 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/10 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.
Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.
The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.
While still a little boy he came with his parents to Vermont.
My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Death Valley in '49 Important chapter

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter is here in full — 50 sentences across 10 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/10 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.
Line 2
Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.
Line 3
The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.
/ðə ˈperənts ʌv maɪ ˈfɑːðər wɜːr ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ ˈpiːpəl ənd lɪvd nɪr ˈhɑːrtfərd kəˈnetəkət wer hiː wɑːz bɔːrn/
Line 4
While still a little boy he came with his parents to Vermont.
/waɪl stɪl ə ˈlɪtəl bɔɪ hiː keɪm wɪð hɪz ˈperənts tuː vərˈmɑːnt/
Line 5
My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Calkins noun US /ˈkælkɪnz/

plural of “calkin” — a metal cleat on the bottom front of a horseshoe to prevent slipping

From this reading “My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.”

Champlain noun US /ʃæmˈpleɪn/

French explorer in Nova Scotia who established a settlement on the site of modern Quebec (1567-1635)

From this reading “St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.”

Connecticut noun US /kəˈnetəkət/

a New England state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading “The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.”

Montreal noun US /ˌmʌntriˈɔːl/

a city in southern Quebec province on the Saint Lawrence River; the largest city in Quebec and 2nd largest in Canada; the 2nd largest French-speaking city in the world

From this reading “St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.”

separates noun US /ˈsepəreɪts/

plural of “separate” — a separately printed article that originally appeared in a larger publication

From this reading “St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.”

Vermont noun US /vərˈmɑːnt/

a state in New England

From this reading “St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.”

Welch verb US /weltʃ/

cheat by avoiding payment of a gambling debt

From this reading “My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.”

womanhood noun US /ˈwʊmənhʊd/

the state of being an adult woman

From this reading “My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.”

All words in this reading · 123

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1820

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

6th

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

Adirondack

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

Albans

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/

brought into existence

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

boynounUS /bɔɪ/

a youthful male person

From this reading While still a little boy he came with his parents to Vermont.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

CalkinsnounUS /ˈkælkɪnz/

plural of “calkin” — a metal cleat on the bottom front of a horseshoe to prevent slipping

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading While still a little boy he came with his parents to Vermont.

CanadanounUS /ˈkænədə/

a nation in northern North America; the French were the first Europeans to settle in mainland Canada

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

ChamplainnounUS /ʃæmˈpleɪn/

French explorer in Nova Scotia who established a settlement on the site of modern Quebec (1567-1635)

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/

the time of person's life when they are a child

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

citynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

clothesnounUS /kloʊðz/

clothing in general

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

ConnecticutnounUS /kəˈnetəkət/

a New England state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.

degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

easternadjectiveUS /ˈiːstərn/

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.

Five-and-forty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

foodnounUS /fuːd/

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

greennounUS /ɡriːn/

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

growverbUS /ɡroʊ/

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

HartfordnounUS /ˈhɑːrtfərd/

the state capital of Connecticut; located in central Connecticut on the Connecticut river; a center of the insurance business

From this reading The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

hillsnounUS /hɪlz/

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading While still a little boy he came with his parents to Vermont.

how

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

knowingadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊɪŋ/

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

LakenounUS /leɪk/

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

LawrencenounUS /ˈlɔːrəns/

Roman martyr; supposedly Lawrence was ordered by the police to give up the church's treasure and when he responded by presenting the poor people of Rome he was roasted to death on a gridiron (died in 258)

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading While still a little boy he came with his parents to Vermont.

livedverbUS /lɪvd/

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

maidennounUS /ˈmeɪdən/

an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

milesnounUS /maɪlz/

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

MontrealnounUS /ˌmʌntriˈɔːl/

a city in southern Quebec province on the Saint Lawrence River; the largest city in Quebec and 2nd largest in Canada; the 2nd largest French-speaking city in the world

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

MountainnounUS /ˈmaʊntən/

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

mountainsnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

nearadverbUS /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

northnounUS /nɔːrθ/

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

orphannounUS /ˈɔːrfən/

a child who has lost both parents

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

parentsnounUS /ˈperənts/

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.

permittedverbUS /pərˈmɪtɪd/

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

Phœbe

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

providedverbUS /prəˈvaɪdɪd/

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

readverbUS /red/

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

rearedverbUS /rɪrd/

past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

recordnounUS /rəˈkɔːrd/

anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

RivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

separatesnounUS /ˈsepəreɪts/

plural of “separate” — a separately printed article that originally appeared in a larger publication

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

seventyadjectiveUS /ˈsevənti/

being ten more than sixty

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

shorenounUS /ʃɔːr/

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

sixtyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪksti/

being ten more than fifty

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

slopesnounUS /sloʊps/

plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

southnounUS /saʊθ/

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

St

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

StatenounUS /steɪt/

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

StatesnounUS /steɪts/

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading While still a little boy he came with his parents to Vermont.

tenderadjectiveUS /ˈtendər/

given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

VermontnounUS /vərˈmɑːnt/

a state in New England

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

watersnounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

WelchverbUS /weltʃ/

cheat by avoiding payment of a gambling debt

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading The parents of my father were English people and lived near Hartford, Connecticut, where he was born.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading St. Albans, Vermont is near the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and only a short distance south of "Five-and-forty north degrees" which separates the United States from Canada, and some sixty or seventy miles from the great St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While still a little boy he came with his parents to Vermont.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

womanhoodnounUS /ˈwʊmənhʊd/

the state of being an adult woman

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

wonderingadjectiveUS /ˈwʌndərɪŋ/

showing curiosity

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

writeverbUS /raɪt/

produce a literary work

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading My mother's maiden name was Phœbe Calkins, born near St. Albans of Welch parents, and, being left an orphan while yet in very tender years, she was given away to be reared by people who provided food and clothes, but permitted her to grow up to womanhood without knowing how to read or write.

YorknounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading Near here it was, on April 6th, 1820, I was born, so the record says, and from this point with wondering eyes of childhood I looked across the waters of the narrow lake to the slopes of the Adirondack mountains in New York, green as the hills of my own Green Mountain State.

Chapter 1 of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter by William Lewis Manly holds 50 sentences, grouped into 10 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter contain?

Chapter 1 holds 50 sentences of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter, unabridged, divided into 10 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter by William Lewis Manly exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 50 sentences, grouped into 10 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter?

Work through the 10 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 10 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Death Valley in '49 Important chapter

Common questions about reading Death Valley in '49 Important chapter by William Lewis Manly on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter?

Yes. All 5952 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #12236 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #12236, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Death Valley in '49 Important chapter take to read?

About 496 minutes of reading across 1191 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Death Valley in '49 Important chapter section by section

How to work through Death Valley in '49 Important chapter section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Death Valley in '49 Important chapter

Words and structures a reader meets early in Death Valley in '49 Important chapter, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Albans
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Vermont
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Eastern
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Shore
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Death Valley in '49 Important chapter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.