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A Memoir of the Late William Hodge, Sen.
Bigelow Bros., Buffalo, N.Y. - 1885


                              INTRODUCTION
                                 -------

        Many years ago, long before the existence of the Buffalo
     Historical Society, it occurred to me that there were many facts as to
     the early residents of Buffalo, their settlement, kinds and places of
     business, and varied experiences in pioneer life, which, if recorded,
     would be interesting and instructive. Had mine been the hand of a
     "ready writer," I would have penned many such pages in earlier years,
     from my own knowledge or first-hand information. But I did nothing of
     the kind, till about the year 1848, when I wrote twelve or fifteen
     sheets, the contents of which were largely drawn from our family
     record.  I at that time upon a promise of my father, expected to
     obtain from him his own written account of many incidents of early
     days; but he was soon removed by death, and my hope was disappointed.
     Besides, I have to regret the loss of a diary which my father had kept
     of his journey westward to Buffalo from Richfield, Otsego county, with
     his family, in 1805. That record was burned in our house when Buffalo
     was destroyed in 1813.
        Since I penned the sheets already mentioned, several persons have
     written interesting reminiscences of early Buffalo, which have
     appeared from time to time in the city papers.
        At intervals, since 1869, I have also endeavored in that way to do
     something towards forwarding the good work thus begun. Some communi-
     cations have gone before the Buffalo Historical Society; others into
     the city papers; two or three into pamphlet form; others still, no
     farther than my own secretary drawer. From these various papers I now
     have a selection made and printed, hoping that the sketches may be
     read with profit by the present generation, and prove not only
     interesting, but instructive also to those on whom the responsi-
     bilities of life are falling heaviest, to-day.
                                                        WILLIAM HODGE.
     Hodge Avenue, Buffalo, N.Y.
          May 1, 1885

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