phetic vision of their descendants assembling in magnificent temples, gratefully chanting their father's praises, and inculcating those pure principles of virtue and religion which they assiduously cherished as the objects of their fondest attachment. This work is the result of much investigation and research, the materials are derived from the most substantial sources, as the Old Colony records, Judge Davis's edition of Morton's memorial, Historical society's collections, Belknap's biography, Winthrop's history by Savage. Hutchinson's history, and Baylies history of the Old Colony. Although this is not to be considered as an elaborate history, it may be presumed that no essential portion of local matter interesting to the antiquarian has been overlooked. The invaluable document furnished by Judge Davis's edition of Morton's memorial will ever be resorted to with peculiar interest, and this consideration precludes the necessity, if not propriety of a more extended narative. The author feels bound to express his acknowledgements to Rossetter Cotton Esq., for assistance from the public records, and to Dr Winslow Warren for his review of the manuscript, and to Isaac Goodwin Esq., of Worcester for useful communications. Other gentlemen who have encouraged the undertaking will please to accept of his thanks. We are indebted to George W. Brimmer Esq. for the drawings which embellish the work and for which our acknowledgements are due. JAMES THACHER Plymouth, July 4, 1832. P. S. The author would be much gratified were it in his power to enter particularly into genealogical detail of families, but this would greatly exceed the latitude originally prescribed and swell the volume to an inconvenient size. Could he have indulged in his own personal feelings many more worthies would have been mentioned which are entitled to a kind remembrance. |