A history of Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York : a memorabilia of persons and things of interest, passed and passing

Front matter

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Preface

The turbulence in Hillsdale for three-fourths of a century after its first settlement by civilized people and the different nationalities of those people has prevented any historic record being kept of them, and their scores of cemeteries, not being under legal protection, have become to a great extent obliterated. For want of historic records a majority of the most prominent inhal^itants living in the town a half century ago are now nearly forgotten. Without such records, a half century hence, a majority of the present population of the town will be forgotten or oidy preserved by our better organized cemeteries. Availing myself of my social intercourse with the old inhabitants of the town in the long-ago, I have attempted, in a crude way, to give the past history of the people of the town. To that end I am now supplied with much additional and interesting matter, and am promised much more that may appear in a future volume. However imperfect these volumes may be they will enable future historians to keep a record that will be vastly interesting to the people of the town for all time, and will produce a strong moral and religious influence. Many minute histories of individuals and families in the town would be very interesting and instructive — and I am promised such — which will appear in a future volume. Many New England towns are taking histories from the epi-

VI PREFACE.

taplis in tlieir cemeteries, and I have just received a volume of that character from Bridgewater, Massachusetts, which has given me important information in respect to my maternal ancestry. If encouraged by expressions from the people, I may be induced to give such history from the cemeteries in Hillsdale.

JOHN F. COLLIN.

Hillsdale, N. Y., Janiuiry 8t,li, 1883.