histories and genealogies perused, notes taken from family Bibles and private papers, graveyards visited, and last but not least, and almost unending correspondence. The difficulties attending such a work as this (meagre as it is) are phenomenal, principally occasioned by the fact that during the American Revolution the localities where most of our blood resided were overrun by both armies, the people disconcerted and many records were destroyed by the enemy. Again, the majority of our ancestors failed to keep family records with any degree of accuracy, if at all.
The compiler acknowledges with gratitude the many acts of kindness extended to him by fellow-genealogists, librarians and others, and now expresses his thanks for these courtesies.
It will be seen that many descendants of the emigrant ancestors are omitted in this work. Still sufficient is given to enable any descendant of to-day to trace his ancestral line to our first American progenitors. This simple effort on the part of the compiler deserves but little praise as to literary merit, and his regret is that it has not been placed in more able hands. Perchance in the future some one with more ability and discrimination will perfect what is now sent forth -- a pleasurable task, extending over a period of a quarter of a century.
Walter Tallman Westervelt
Brooklyn, N.Y.