Made his comprehensive American dictionary in the early 19th century. Many of the words were simplied and in common use by the general population. He took it upon himself to simply words wherever he could: Check v cheque Color v colour
Cheque is not English anyway; it's a French word meaning draft that was adopted in England. English took many French words from the Norman invasion, the occupation of France by England (the Hundred Years War), and the Hugenots.
