Litchfield County CT Archives History - Books .....Preface 1882 *********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ct/ctfiles.htm *********************************************** ************************************************************************ The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification. ************************************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 15, 2005, 12:39 pm Book Title: HISTORY OF THE TOWNS OF NEW MILFORD AND BRIDGEWATER, CONNECTICUT, 1703-1882 PREFACE. THE most emphatic statement to be made in this preface is that the author has done what he could within the time which it is consistent to bestow upon the work, and that he is now keenly sensible that what is not written is more than that which is here recorded. The town was large in territory at first, and is still, although one whole town, and considerable parts of two others, have been taken from it; and to put the whole record into one volume has cost the exercise of great energy in abbreviating and condensing the material obtained. But it is certain that, according to the judgment possessed, the selections made have been well proportioned in relation to all the purposes to be served by such a work, and the author feels better satisfied, in this respect, perhaps, than anybody else will. To have written a racy, reading book would have cost the loss of three-fourths of the historical matter now included, and hence the choice has been to make it thoroughly a historical work. In regard to the work bestowed, it is truthful to say that the assistance from the people of the town has been greater than rendered to the author in any similar work, and the cordial good cheer indicated by every one with whom he has met has been almost surprising, and most decidedly encouraging, and hence the labor of preparing the work has been most delightful throughout To say, "thank you all," is a diminutive statement, although the largest that is at command without going out of the English language. Among those, who have rendered special and important aid in the preparation of this work are the Rev. Dr. Porter, President of Yale College, and for six years a pastor in this town, who first urged upon the author the undertaking, and afterwards aided much with his pen, and his most intelligent wife, whose father, the Rev. Nathaniel W. Taylor, D.D., was a native of this town, who, after the commencement of the work, came to the aid of the author somewhat with her pen, but largely by suggestions as to sources of information, and the public position of many who dwelt in, and others who had removed from, the town. The author is indebted to the newspapers of the village—the Ray and the Gazette—for most cordial and efficient aid through their columns for a year and a half; and to the Baldwin Genealogy, the Starr Genealogy, the Noble Genealogy, the Bostwick Genealogy, and the Mygatt Genealogy for many extracts. He is also indebted to Col. William J. Starr of New Milford, more than to any one individual, for aid in searching records and personal inquiry and research through the town; and, next to him, to Mr. Russell B. Noble, the town clerk, for the most patient and efficient assistance, not only in allowing ready access to the town records, but in his personal efforts in searching the records; and to his brother, Mr. Charles H. Noble, for his persevering efforts several months, to secure a complete record of the soldiers in the recent Civil War; and to Mr. Edward W. Marsh and Mr. David E. Soule in regard to the War Record; and among those who have had good memories, whereby the author has profited much, are Mr. Solomon E. Bostwick, Mr. Levi S. Knapp, Mr. Wm. N. Canfield, Mr. William Roberts, Mr. William Wanzer, Mr. Horace Merwin, Mr. and Mrs. Albert N. Baldwin, Mrs. Judge Sanford, the late Mrs. Frederick G. Bennett, Mrs. Eli Mygatt, and, of Bridgewater, Mr. Henry Sanford, Mr. Charles H. Sanford, and Mr. Egbert B. Canfield. The author is also much indebted to the Rev. George S. Bennett of Boston for the use of his manuscript copies of the records of several family genealogies, upon which he had bestowed much labor; and also to Mrs. Doct. James Hine for the same reasons, and the Rev. J. B. Bonar's Centennial Sermon, and also the manuscript account of Marbledale, by Mr. Ralph Buckingham. The manuscripts of the late Judge D. S. Boardman have been of very great service. Very important aid has been received by being granted, most cheerfully, the privilege of frequent consultation of the libraries of the Rev. J. F. Schroeder and Mrs. Cornelia E. Wright. To all these friends it is a pleasure to express special obligations ; but more particularly is it a pleasure to have become acquainted with them through such a medium—the making of a book to treasure up the memory of the departed. The vote of the town to put maps and a picture of the Town Hall into the book is highly appreciated, but upon careful inquiry it was ascertained that such maps as were proposed would be unsatisfactory to every body, nearly, and hence the two items have been secured at nearly double the sum voted by the town. In addition to these, several engravings have been secured at a cost to the author of nearly two hundred dollars, which were not contemplated in the first plan of the book, but these pictures, representing New Milford scenery, are thought to be an important addition to the work. So far as the author's judgment can decide, this book is much more complete than any work he has published. For want of room and time, he has not been able to bring the record of all the families of the town down to the present time as fully as he at first proposed, and for the same reasons the inscriptions in the new part of the village cemetery are not in the book. Whatever defects may be found in the work, it is certain the author has done the best that he could within the time occupied in preparing the work. THE AUTHOR. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF THE TOWNS OF NEW MILFORD AND BRIDGEWATER, CONNECTICUT, 1703-1882, BY SAMUEL ORCUTT AUTHOR OF THE HISTORIES OF TORRINGTON, WOLCOTT, AND DERBY, AND THE INDIANS OF THE HOUSATONIC AND NAUGATUCK VALLEYS, CONNECTICUT. HARTFORD, CONN.: PRESS OF THE CASE, LOCKWOOD AND BRAINARD COMPANY. File at -- http://files.usgwarchives.net/ct/litchfield/history/1882/historyo/preface6gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ctfiles/ File size: 6.4 Kb