8
INTRODUCTION AND COMPENDIUM.
had been magnates in every generation; that their original coat-of-arms was
granted them for their distinguished prowess and achievements in battle among
the Normans; that the "three piles in point" in their escutcheon represent the
three nails of our Saviour's cross, and proved in the language of heraldry that
arly cadets of the family from Normandy had been engaged in the Crusade
wars in the Holy Land.
In my communications to individuals supposed to be possessed of something
like political aspiration, I have called their attention to the fact that many mem-
bers of our clan had won distinction in the halls of the English parliament and
of the American congress; also, that by two or more alliances with the royal
family of England, the blood of our ancestors was fused with that of every mon-
arch that had sat upon the throne since King John. This intelligence was enough
to start the "blue blood" in almost any man's veins, and has opened the way
for my success in correspondence when, with some families, everything else
would have been unavailing.
Families known to be of religious tendencies and identified with church-work,
have been advised of the fact that for eminence in piety the ancestors of our
tribe were well known; that in their loyalty to the cause of their Lord they had
endured every indignity, even to banishment, imprisonment, and martyrdom; and
that besides three bishops in the family, there have been about one hundred
ministers who bore our surname.
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When the person addressed had seen service in the army, and was possessed
of a military and chivalrous spirit, I have informed him of the valor of our
ancestors, who had received the honor of knighthood at the hands of their
sovereigns, and were made the recipients of many medals for services performed
upon the field of battle; how, from the earliest history of our family, it had been
represented by its members in every war in which their countrymen had been
engaged, and in every case had won distinction and the commendations of their
superiors.
If the methods of procedure mentioned in the foregoing pages have failed to
awaken sufficient interest in those to whom I applied for data to enlist their at-
tention, I have forwarded advance-sheets, copies of portraits, views of ancient
family residences, and photographs. The possession of such mementoes has
usually caused those to whom they were presented to feel under some obligation,
and many have afterwards proved my most valuable helpers. But the mediums
employed which I have already noticed do not involve all the embarrassments
with which this work has been attended; indeed, I have considered it good for-
tune when these simple expedients have been successful. In many instances I
have encountered such indifference and stolidity that for a time I was disheart-
ened, and waited for victory in other directions to rekindle my hope. Some
have absolutely refused to render aid, and would not allow the records of their
families to be published in this book, and this statement must be my only apol-
ogy for the disconnected appearance of many pedigrees, and the meagre accounts
of some branches of the family as found in this genealogy.
In many instances I have employed clergymen, postmasters, town-clerks, and
lawyers to copy tombstones, family records, church registers, town books, pro-
bate records, etc., and in a few cases these gentlemen have interviewed the
families in person, to elicit facts respecting their history. These services have
frequently proved expensive, and have only been called into requisition when all
other means have failed.
I have depended largely upon church and town records for the births, mar-
riages, and deaths of the early generations, especially in tracing the American
