I am of French extract, my ancestors having taken refuge in the isle of Jersey, on the revocation of the edict of Nantes, by Lewis 14th, in the year 1685. My grandfather came to this country about the year 73, “sans souci sans sous,” in season to take an active part in the Revolution, as a sailor before the mast.
I first saw the light in the quiet village of Concord, of Revolutionary memory, July 12th 1817. I shall ever pride myself upon the place of my birth —May she never have cause to be ashamed of her sons. If I forget thee, O Concord, let my right hand forget her cunning. Thy name shall be my passport in foreign lands. To whatever quarter of the world I may wander, I shall deem it my good fortune that I hail from Concord North Bridge.
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