This is a transcription of the preface of A List of The Revolutionary Soldiers of Dublin, N.H. by Samuel Carroll Derby, Columbus, Ohio: Press of Spahr & Glen, 1901.
The general purpose of the following lists is to help preserve the memory of the men of my native town who took a strenuous part in those early “times that tried men’s souls.” My intent at first was of narrower scope.
Bartholomew Goyer, a picturesque Frenchman of unknown antecedents who was the first settler on Derby Hill, had been, according to family tradition, a Revolutionary soldier. His name was not found with those of other such soldiers in the History of Dublin. This omission led me to search the “Revolutionary Rolls” of New Hampshire for his military record. The quest proved that tradition was correct and suggested that further examination of those volumes of New Hampshire State Papers might reveal other unknown soldiers of the struggle for independence. Enough additional names were discovered to double the number given in the History of Dublin. That honor may be given “to whom honor is due,” it has seemed best to print the complete list of Revolutionary soldiers, together with a short statement of the service of each. In some cases brief additional items of family history have been given, and would gladly have been inserted in others, had the facts been known to me. The short notices of captains and colonels under whom Dublin soldiers served have cost more labor than their fragmentary nature would suggest. Corrections with regard to any fact or name in the following pages will be gratefully received.
S. C. DERBY.
Columbus. O., January 1, 1901.