The author, after most exhaustive researches, beginning with February 1, 1867, and extending at intervals over the period of twenty-six years since elapsed, has succeeded in collecting material for a History of his native county. This valuable and interesting matter is presented to the public, hoping it will be acceptable and satisfactory. Much care and discretion has been used to render the following pages correct and full as circumstances permitted.

While more important documents are copied verbatim, the unvarnished substance is usually given, because more generally in keeping with views of our people, since the Ancient Records contain many lengthy repetitions in the form of preambles.

This brief Preface would be incomplete, without acknowledging, most thankfully the invaluable assistance so cheerfully bestowed by Departments of the Imperial and Provincial Governments; also Rev. John Ambrose, D.C.L., D.D., ex-Rector of the Episcopal Church, Digby; late William H.Taylor, Esq., formerly Vestry Clerk, and High Sheriff; William B. Stewart, Esq., Prothonotary and Municipal Clerk; Botsford Viets, Esq., formerly Collector of Customs; late Hon. E. R. Oakes, M.L.C.; John S. McNeill, Esq., ex-M.P.P.; Placide P. Gaudet, Esq., Acadien Genealogist; the late Holland E. Payson and Daniel Bailey; also, Jesse Harris, Esquires of Westport; Very Rev. James Daley, Vicar General, Louis Q. Bourque, and Anselm M. Comeau, M.P.P., and others of Clare; the late William F. Potter, Benjamin Hardy, as well as Edward W. Potter, Esqrs., J.P., of Hillsburgh; William Denton and Nathan J. Thurber, Esqrs., J.P., of Freeport; the late James Everett, of Plympton; late Alpheus Jones, Crown Land Surveyor, and Robert Sabean, Senr.; also, Sterns Jones, Esq., of Weymouth; late Charles McNeil, Sr., of North Range; James H. Roope, J.P., Grand Joggin; John Welsh, J.P., Francis Hutchinson, Registrar of probate; and many others of Digby: late Edward W. Small, Upper Rossway.

Besides the very rare and important information furnished by the above named, thanks are as cordially tendered the authors of Halliburton's, Murdoch's, Campbell's and Smith's Histories of Nova Scotia; Abbê Casgrain's Travels in the land of L'Evangèline,(in French, "Un Pelerinage Au Pays D'Evangèline;") the History of Yarmouth County, with its Sequel by George S. Brown, Esq.; History of the United Empire Loyalists, by Lorenzo Sabine; besides other works of lesser import, bearing on our County History.

From these authentic sources combined, a fair and productive area is traced from the primeval wilderness, through the various stages of development, otherwise hopelessly lost, to our own time when we behold a rapidly growing and prosperous Commonwealth which we all happily share and enjoy.

In conclusion, the author regrets inability after thorough researches involving great care and expense, to obtain desirable information on some important points. A forbearing public may. it is hoped, accept the "will for the deed" in such cases.

ISAIAH W. WILSON

Digby, N.S., August 1st, 1895.