I have only to say that my sons have, for a long time, importuned me to write my history. I declined yielding to their request, beoause being a plain man, and having but a meagre talent, and having accomplished but little of remark- able significance, I would have but little to reoord that would be interesting. Besides having kept no Diary a thousand incidents have faded from my recollection and vanished wholly from my memory, many of which, perhaps, might be of some in- terest to record. I have however, finally surrendered my opposition to their solicitations, and hasten to note or register some scraps or sketches of my history of four score years. I am not unoonsoious of it's imperfections. It may, however, rescue from oblivion a few of the many incidents garnered in my memory. Some of the incidents, perhaps, may be slightly varied for the want of a dearer vision at this distance from them. The chief threads of the narratives are reliable facts, however. If the perusal affords the reader but little interest, let him, in some degree attribute it to the intelleot of the Biographer; the want of written references; or a kept Diary detailing ...
Autobiography of Prof. J.W. Ferree M.A.
