A GENEALOGY OF THE Philbrick and Philbrook Families, DESCENDED FROM THE EMIGRANT, THOMAS PHILBRICK, 1583-1667. BY REV. JACOB CHAPMAN OF EXETER, N. H. "Learn the past, and you will know the future."-Confucius. People will not look forward to posterity who never look back- STATE HISTORICAL EXETER, N. H.: 1888 SUCIETY OF WISCONSIN. PRINTED BY THE EXETER GAZETTE STEAM PRINTING HOUSE. 1886. 베 1P545 1886 INTRODUCTION. While I was engaged upon this work some ten years ago, I was told that Elisha Philbrook had made an extensive collection of records of the family for publication. I immediately addressed a letter to him; but he had removed from his former residence in Wisconsin, and for years I could hear nothing of him. When I was preparing a sketch of the first four generations, for the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, July, 1884, I learned that he was living and had resumed his work upon the genealogy. I at once proposed to him that we unite our collections and publish them together, to which he agreed. I sent my manuscript to him, to be returned with such additions and corrections, as he might be able to make; but he did not return it; and it seems he died in a few months. So I was obliged to go over the ground again. Since his death, by the persevering efforts of Mrs. Clara Philbrick and her family, of Salem, Mass., most of his genealogical writings which could be found, have been placed in my hands, and I have learned how much expense I should have saved, if I could have had the same seven years earlier. He deserved much credit for his patient and laborious efforts to perpetuate the memory of our ancestors. Though want of funds prevented him from completing and printing his records, he succeeded in waking some of the family to an interest in the subject which I hope may long continue. In the Appendix to this volume, there is a brief sketch of his life and labors, by one who is able to appreciate the value of his work. [See Note A Appendix.] |