Clergyman-"It seems he [Arne] wishes to go away in search of life's good."
Margit-" But isn't that just what the old crone did ? ”

Clergyman-"The old crone?"

Margit-"Yes; she who went away to fetch the sunshine, instead of making
windows in the walls to let it in!”

Bjornstjerne Bjornson in Arne,

RUTLAND:

TUTTLE & CO., PRINTERS.
1872.

RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED

To the Native & Adopted Citizens of Pittsford,

With the fervent desire that they may increasingly appreciate the preciousness of their heritage; may unceasingly enjoy it until the sunset of their careers, and may transmit it to the next generation, improved, ennobled and perfumed with the memory of generous efforts for the amelioration of our race.

REFACE.

The writer of this History, animated by a love for historical and antiquarian researches, some years ago commenced to collect interesting incidents relating to the early settlement of Pittsford. This was done with a view to his own gratification, rather than with the intention of writing a book. But the materials, which soon accumulated on his hands, were of so much interest to himself that it was conceived they might afford pleasure to others. In conversation upon the subject with some of our citizens, a desire was expressed by them that the writer should prosecute his investigations, and prepare a connected history of the town. Though aware that the limited amount of time he could consistently spare from professional engagements might postpone the completion of such a work beyond the expectation of those interested, he continued his researches, and at the annual meeting, in March, 1870, the subject was brought before the town, and a vote carried requesting him to prepare a his tory of the town for publication. He then entered upon the work with renewed energy, and spared no necessary labor or expense in collecting all available materials.

At several points the writer has trenched somewhat upon the general history of the State, but this was indispensable in order to explain certain events which occurred here at an early day It should be especially noted that this was a frontier town during the Revolutionary struggle, and that on this account not a little of our town history has been intimately connected with that of the State.

In the preparation of his work the author has consulted the Colonial Records of New York and New Hampshire, and the