Francis Blomefield

“ Not to insist upon the delight and pleasure that many take in historical affairs, which, though it may be decried and run down by some, yet it must be acknowledged, that History is the light of truth, and life of memory, as the great Orator formerly observed; and if there be nothing more in it, experience teaches that by recording the lives and actions of the good, those that come after them are thereby encouraged to imitate their virtues, for nothing so much incites the mind of man, to an emulation of others, as the report of the noble actions of them that have gone before them ”

“ Asaph, whose kindness was so great, as not only to help me to the sight of vast numbers of records and manuscripts concerning this county, but also to fix my method, and revise my collections when put together, town by town, as I compiled them. To this worthy Prelate (by his own knowledge and approbation) was this Work dedicated; but alas! to my particular great loss, as well as to the world in general, he is no more: gratitude therefore obliged me to dedicate it to his memory, not doubting but that will ever be valued by all the learned ”

“ I have diligently examined whatever printed authors I could meet with, in relation to this county, from whom I am often obliged to vary, but it is always when I have the utmost certainty for so doing, and never, unless I am fully convinced they are in errour, from which it is impossible for any one (in a work of this nature) to be altogether free. ”