Preface from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire (1915)

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by MLM, Volunteer 0000130. 
For the current email address, please go to 
http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000130
Copyright. All rights reserved.

************************************************************************
Full copyright notice - http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
USGenWeb Archives - http://www.usgwarchives.net
************************************************************************

Source:  History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens
          by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill., 1915

Page 5

                                    PREFACE
     The preservation of such facts, as will be useful to the future historian,
is of public importance. Those which depend on memory, or have been long
handed down by tradition, are liable either to be forgotten or misrepresented.
They should, therefore, be carefully collected from time to time and deposited
in such archives as are prepared for them. Since the invention of printing
the best mode of preserving historical facts is by the press. The record of
them is thereby multiplied, and the knowledge of them extensively com-
municated. Everyone should be acquainted with the origin and progress
of the society to which he belongs. It is gratifying to the curiosity to learn
the events of former days in which our ancestors took an active part; to hear
of the hardships and perils which they encountered, and the fortitude with
which they endured them; to see the advances they made in obtaining the
comforts and conveniences of life, and the state of independence and ease,
in which they have placed their descendants. For the benefit of the present
generation, as well as to assist whomever may hereafter undertake to write
a more connected history, I have endeavored to collect the most authentic
docwnents relative to my native town. For this purpose I have carefully
examined ancient records and papers, within my control, which had any con-
nection with the subject. I have likewise examined the periodical publica-
tions which I could obtain. From these I have made many selections and
quotations.
     The foregoing is as applicable in 1914 as when it was written in 1824
by Nathaniel Adams as a preface to "Annals of Portsmouth, comprising a
period of 200 years from the first settlement of the town; with
biographical sketches of a few of the most respectable citizens." It has been
necessary to condense the material available relating to some of the places.
Several local historians have issued volumes that, if liberally quoted, would
make this book of the county too large and bulky. Many long lists of names
have been omitted, as the volumes containing the details are on the shelves
of the public libraries in nearly all the towns in the county, or they can be
drawn by the local librarians from the State Library at Concord. Excellent
histories of Exeter, Hampton, Hampton Falls and Newfields are available.
     It has been my endeavor to trace the history of the development of this
section from that period when it was in the undisputed possession of the red
man to the present, and to place before the reader an authentic narrative of
its rise and progress.
     That such an undertaking is attended with no little difficulty and vexation
none will deny. The aged pioneer relates events of the early settlements,
while his neighbor sketches the same events with totally different outlines.
Man's memory is ever at fault, while time paints a different picture upon
every mind.

Page 6 

     I have consulted and drawn liberally from the histories, addresses or
sketches by Jeremy Belknap, John Farmer, Nathaniel Adams, C. W. Brewster,
John McClintock, James DeNonnandie, John S. Jenness, Frank B. Sanbom,
Charles H. Bell, N. P. Hood and numerous authorities in various towns to
whom credit is generally given.
     I desire to acknowledge my sincere thanks to the editorial fraternity,
to the town and county and church officials, for much valuable information,
which has greatly lessened my labor in the preparation of this work; to each
and every one who has assisted me in the compilation, and would cheerfully
make personal mention of each, but it is impracticable.
                                                       CHARLES A. HAZLETT.
Portsmouth, N. H., April 15, 1914.