Excerpt from A History of the Orvis Family in America Because this "A History of the Orvis Family in America" is the outgrowth of two pamphlets published by me in 1911 and 1913, and called by me "Outlines of the Orvis Family," I have included in these prefatory remarks the prefaces which appeared in those forerunners. The background is thus provided for such other remarks of an introductory nature as properly find place here. Following the publication, nine years ago, of the later "Outlines," I found myself impelled as much by choice as by natural consequences to continue collecting Orvis family data and correcting the fairly large array which I already had. Many, on receiving the "Outlines," began writing to me about their immediate branches of the family, pointing out my sins or omission if not of commission, adding new names and facts and amending such unintentional misstatements as had crept in, despite my best efforts. Thus my interest was not allowed to flag, and the data continued to flow in, with the result, finally, that I believed I had a fair nucleus around which to construct what I might venture to describe as a "History," although in my preface to the 1913 "Outlines" I had expressed the hope that others than myself, and better fitted for the work, might undertake that task, prompted by my temerity. Assisted by many, and urged on by all, I made numerous journeys to the resting places of long-departed Orvises, as well as to those places where records of their lives might be inspected, continually adding in these ways, and by correspondence, to the voluminous data then in hand. The present volume is the result. If it shall be a source of information and interest to those of Orvis lineage, and leave with them, as it does with me, a heightened respect for both the progenitors and the living members of our clan, the work will not have been in vain. Certainly, no amount of pleasure and satisfaction that others may take in its perusal can exceed the pleasure and satisfaction which have been mine in slowly piecing it together. I have endeavored to acknowledge the assistance and co-operation that have attended my efforts. I could not hope to express in fitting terms the feelings prompted by innumerable pleasurable contacts with others of the family resident in practically every State of the Union. To all of them I can but send my greetings, reiterate my thanks and commit this volume to their kindly consideration. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.