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From the introduction:
"In the district known as the New York Swamp I met their fathers almost daily for many years. They were Kings in the Tanning Trade. There were the stalwart and manly Hoyt's; the aristocratic Thorncs; the cultured Healys; the broad minded Schultz; the gentlemanly Lees; the Hortons; merchants and manufacturers; the Laphams, "Friends" in faith and works; the moneyed Fayerweathers; the genial Palens; the cautious Bulkleys; the steadfast and solid Ladews; the successful Reeses; the honorable Ishams, and many more who formed a galaxy of merchants such as may never again be seen in the Hide and Leather business.
These men dominated the trade for nigh a hundred years. Their example is worthy of emulation. It is with the design of preserving a record of their deeds that these papers were written by their, and your, servant for half a century,
F. W. NORCROSS."