The nature of these studies of original authorities has made it impossible to write a popular history. Such a volume, if it embodied current opinions concerning many early events, such as the pilgrimage of Thomas Hooker, would be of little permanent value; and if our deductions from the records had been so used, without detailed evi dence, the volume would be discredited. The author has been content to adjust some of the foundation stones of our colonial history, and to build thereon with the materials which the records themselves provide. The town of Hart ford has occupied such a place in the Commonwealth that this has been considered the greater service. Nor has it seemed necessary to continue this study into the last cen tury. In 1883 and 1884 a series of articles on the First Hundred Years of the City of Hartford, by Mr. John W. Stedman, was published in the Hartford Sunday Journal. About the same time the reminiscences of some aged citi zens on Old Days in Hartford were preserved in the columns of The Connecticut Post. Many historical papers have also appeared in The Hartford Courant and The H art ford Times. These, with The Memorial History of Hartford County and certain monographs, magazine articles and church histories, have amply covered the field, and are cited in references.