All, who have been most conversant with investigations of this kind, have had frequent opportunity to test the truth of this last remark.   These defects are much to be regretted, as they often occasion an apparent breach in the line of descent.

   The first part of this work contains a short history of the original purchases, locations, and early settlement of the town, embracing much of the former account, with such additions as were thought to be generally interesting.   There is great similarity in the general history and internal management of public affairs, in all our New England towns, the recital of which therefore, to most readers, would be but dull repetitions, and uninteresting details.   Very little of this nature is here inserted; and individual biography also, always a delicate subject, and often leading to invidious distinctions, has been for the most part avoided.   Facts have been principally regarded, and the most seduously sought, both in the historical and genealogical department of the work.

   The plan here adopted in presenting the genealogy of families may be objectionable; but after a full examination of all the methods which have fallen under my notice, and after much consideration of the subject, this appeared the most simple and easy of comprehension.   Every head of a family is numbered, the common ancestor being numbered one, expressed or understood, and after disposing of the daughters by showing who they married or otherwise, and such of the sons as had no families, or removed from town, then the first son who had a family is taken and numbered two, and then the next son, numbered three, and so on, proceeding with the family of each, as with that of the father; and this course is pursued through each generation.   It will not therefore be expected always to find the son next in place immediately after the father, but he must be looked for often several numbers further on, and sometimes at a considerable distance.   So in tracing back a descent the inner numbers within the parenthesis will direct where the father may be found, and being found the parenthesis there will direct where the grandfather will be found, and so on quite back to the common ancestor.   A little use will render it familiar, and it is believed to be the simplest method, on the whole, which could have been adopted, especially in such numerous and extended families as sometimes occur.   It will often be found that