Introductory for "Documentary History of Suffield, by Sheldon, 1879"

INTRODUCTORY.

   SUFFIELD, was settled chiefly by the sons, and daughters of the first emigrants to New England.
   Many of the first settled towns contributed to the number, especially Springfield, and Windsor.
   To search and colate from these widely scattered sources, whatever might lift the veil, and remove the accumulated mosses of two centuries, has been a laborious, but pleasant task.
   Another might have performed the work more perfectly, but none with more love for it, or desire that these treasures be perpetuated.
   These Documentary Collections, and Acts of the Committee for planing the town, are the foundations, upon which the superstructure was built, and compose a first, distinct period in its history.
   The second period will embrace the years 1682-1715 inclusive. After the latter date, the proprietors of the undivided common lands, kept their acts, and records separate from those of the town. These proprieors's books are in two volumns, and well preserved.
   The third period; will embrace the years 1716-1749 inclusive, at which latter date, Suffield transferred its allegiance from the Massachusetts, to the Connecticut Colony.
   It is not in accordance with the plan I had proposed to myself, that any portion of these pages should be given to the public, until the Volume was complete. Circumstances have changed this intent, and these memorials, of the initial period of our town's history, are committed to the keeping of those who now possess this grand heritage, and their successors whose feet shall press, and whose eyes shall look upon, these hills, and vales, in the limitless future.

H. S. S.

WEST SUFFIELD, CONN., June 23, 1876.

To the Selectment of the Town of Suffield:
SIRS:--Having had occasion to search the early Town Records, while preparing a short sketch of the History of the Second Ecclesiastical Society, I have become impressed with their value; also the great danger that they may be blotted out of existence in a single hour, by fire.
This is to ask permission to make a copy (for publication at my own cost) of such parts of those Records as the writer may deem most desirable to be preserved.

Respectfully Yours,

H. S. Sheldon

_________________

H. S. Sheldon, Es.:
DEAR SIR:--Yours of the 23d inst. is received. We cheerfully accordto you permission to make such copies from the Town Records as you desire, and to publish the same as you may deem proper. We have long been aware of the danger to whcih our Twon Records are hourly exposed; and we are sure that the Twon must be under a lasting debt of gratitude to you, for your generous efforts in placing an important portion of its priceless record beyond the contingency of irrecoverable loss.

Very truly yours,

MARTIN J. SHELDON, Selectman
SAMUEL WHITE, Selectman
JARVIS W. CASE, Selectman

SUFFIELD, June 23, 1876

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