EDITOR'S PREFACE. "THE New England Chronology is a work of the greatest utility, and almost necessary to one who would form an intimate acquaintance with the history of the first planting of New England." Such is the judgment of the reviewer of the Edition of 1826 (North American Review, Oct. 1826). And, as this Edition, edited by F. G. Drake of Boston, U. S. A., is the only complete one that has ever appeared since the original saw the light in 1736, I have considered the work fully entitled to a place of honour in this series of bibliographical rarities. Thomas Prince was born in 1687 at Sandwick, Mass., and was a grandson of John Prince of Hull, who emigrated to America in 1633. He graduated at Harvard in 1707, and, after visiting Europe and preaching for several years at Combs, in Suffolk, returned to Boston, where he died in 1771. Such of his collection of books and manuscripts as escaped the Revolutionary War, are preserved in the Library of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Of the Annals, Vol. I. appeared at Boston in 1736, 8vo, parts 1, 2, and 3 of Vol. II. appeared in 1755. Prince intended to bring his history down to 1730, but the last part ends abruptly in 1733. The introduction to the work was divided into eight sections: 1. The Scripture Patriarchs. 2. The Judges of Israel. 3. The Kings of Judah. 4. The Monarchies of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Egypt. 5. The Roman Emperors. 6. The Eastern Empire. 7. From Egbert to the discovery of the New World, by Christopher Columbus. 8. From thence to the discovery of New England, and death of Elizabeth. The seven first divisions have lost all interest for modern readers, and the same may be said of the European events recorded in division 8. I have therefore omitted all the introduction except what relates to the New World, and I have further ventured to leave out the continual reference to authorities which appears in the pages of the original. A list, however, of the authorities relied upon by Prince is given as an appendix to Vol V. EDMUND GOLDSMID. EDINBURGH, June 25, 1887. A CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND, In the Form of ANNALS: BEING A summary and exact Account of the most material Transactions and Occurrences relating to this Country, in the order of time wherein they happened; from the Discovery by Captain GOSNOLD in 1602, to the Arrival of Governor BELCHER in 1730. WITH AN INTRODUCTION CONTAINING The Gradual Discoveries of America, to the BY THOMAS PRINCE, M.A. Deut. xxxii. 7.--Remember the days of old! Consider the years of many generations! Job. viii. 8.-For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age! and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers! BOSTON, N. E. Printed by KNEELAND & GREEN for S. GERRISH. |