PREFACE.

Several years ago I was asked a question concerning my ancestors, which I could not answer, and in trying to find the answer, I was surprised to learn how little I knew about the Tarleton family. The relatives with whom I talked were but little better informed. About that time I saw several published family histories, and wished that some one would do for our family what others had done for theirs. As no one else seemed inclined to do so, I finally decided to make the attempt myself.

Of the time, effort, and expense given to this work I need not speak; those who have had some experience will realize what it has cost; others cannot, even if told. But I have also found much of interest and pleasure in the work, and, better still, have found many pleasant acquaintances among my far-off cousins. Most of those to whom I have written have taken some interest in the family name and history, and sent me the records in their memory and possession; a few have given cordial and considerable help. To all I herewith extend my thanks for their assistance.

Of course I cannot vouch for the accuracy of these records. I have only tried to give them just as they were given to me, except in a few cases of evident mistake. When different dates have been received, I have sometimes given both and sometimes the one that seemed most likely.

Most of the history of the family for the first hundred years in this country has come from the published State and Town Papers of New Hampshire and from the county records at Exeter, N. H., with a little help from histories of towns and counties, and from old newspapers. Our ancestors were not literary, and have left scarcely anything in writing, except the records in the Family Bible, and even these are scanty.

I am aware that the arrangement of these records is both unusual and illogical. I began this collection by writing to those living, and tracing backward I came to six persons, back

of whom I could not go for some time.

As there seemed to be six separate groups not far from the same size, and each group knowing something of its own members and not much of the others, I came to speak and write of the six branches - Stileman, Elias, William, Joseph, James, and John. Afterwards I found that the first four were sons of Elias3, and that a more logical arrangement would have been into three branches James3, and John3; yet I decided not to change from my first plan. I have given the records of the first two or three generations first, and then followed with these six branches in genealogical order.

Elias,

I have given most of my spare time and some money to this work for four years. Perhaps more time and money would have given better results, but I have done the best my circumstances would allow. Mistakes will be found, for it is almost impossible to avoid them in a work of this kind; imperfections you will expect to find, but probably not as many as I have found. If this little book shall give interest and pleasure to any; if it shall lessen our selfishness and widen our sympathies; if it shall make us more thoughtful of those who have gone before us, and so more worthy of being remembered and loved by those who come after us, I shall not regret what it has cost me.

Rev. Jacob Chapman, the compiler of five family histories, well says: "We are deeply indebted to others who have gone before us for what we have and for what we are. If we deny our obligations to them, we exhibit our ingratitude and our folly. Every one who has lived a decent life desires to be remembered, and especially by his relatives, and we are not following the Golden Rule unless we also cherish the memory of our ancestors."

And now I close with a cordial greeting to every member and connection of our family, and with the earnest desire that every name may be written in the Lamb's book of life," so that when the records are finally examined we shall all have an entrance to our Father's home in heaven.

C. W. TARLETON.