SdO 0 U D

 The most propitious time for collecting the
materials for history is s soon after tne happen-
ing of the events chronicled as possible, ~nd while
the actors who shaped them are still upon the scene
of action.
 The first generation of the pioneers of Tampa
has almost entirely passed away; a few only of
those who belong to it still linger, though now "in
the sere and yellow leaf" awaiting the last blast
of time that will loosen their frail hold upon the
branch of the living tree.
 before they are all gathered to their fathers
their :iepiorica of event, and their recollections
of family nistories should be carefully collected
and preserved in permanent form for the information
of tho.e who come after theme-.
 appreci.ating these :,onsid.*rations the compil-
ers of thia worKi hive cersonaliy consulted the sur-
vivors of the eurlior days and their immediate de,
scindants, examining f;.ivily records and public ar-
chivos where available, and in that way preparing
complete and connected accounts of the families
whoso Penealogies are herein traced.
 "uch care has been exercised ind great pains
taeon to secure absolute accuracy in the family
histories recorded hero, as in some instances,
the infirmitie of human memory have led into er-
ror, others have been concLltcd who have been fa-
miliar with the isae facts ana tho different narra-
tives have been nade, if possible tnat minor mis-
takes .mal nave orept in. ,here thi.. is found to be
true, we crave the ina :;lFnoe of critic in view of
the peculiar difficulties of the task that we have,
essayed.
 Ihe work th.,t foll6ws does not pretend to be a
connected history of ampa; that will be written,
perhaps, hereafter. ihis is out a collection of
the genealogical records of the families that found-
ed the city and of somo others who followed in their
footsteps and aided in the advancement of the work
that the earlier ones commenoe*. .;e.flatter our-
selveo, however, that we will in this compilation
have contributed to the collection of materials ou
of which will be made the future history of Tampa*