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OF

THE DESCENDANTS

OF

CLEMENT CORBIN

OF MUDDY RIVER (BROOKLINE), MASS.
AND WOODSTOCK, CONN.

WITH

NOTICES OF OTHER

LINES OF CORBINS

COMPILED BY

REV. HARVEY M. LAWSON, Ph.B., B.D.

artford Press

THE CASE LOCKWOOD & BRAINARD COMPANY

1905

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66

The tracing of genealogies has become an ever more popular pursuit in recent years, until now many of the older and larger families of the country, especially the descendants from the early New England settlers, have a published volume on the subject. Several causes have led to this. One is the formation of patriotic societies, such as the Sons and the Daughters of the Revolution, and the desire to establish an eligibility to membership. Another cause doubtless is that, with the ever-increasing tide of foreign immigration, a relatively less number of our people trace back to ancestors who were here before the Revolution. Then there is the growing historical interest. Some people may be inclined to call the present eagerness to trace one's ancestry a fad," and suppose that it will soon pass away. On the contrary, I believe that it is a work of importance and lasting interest. The motto of one of our genealogical magazines is "To preserve the memorials of our ancestors; a duty to them and to posterity." Certainly there will be those among our descendants who will be profoundly grateful to us for preserving from oblivion the knowledge of our families which is now attainable. Someone has said that "those who care nothing for their progenitors will themselves do nothing of which their own descendants will be proud." There may be exceptions to this, but I believe that genealogical interest marks an advanced stage of civilization and progress. Our New England ancestors were worthy, honorable, and God-fearing people. We owe to them not only our existence, and the qualities which we gain from heredity, but many of the blessings which we enjoy today in this land of liberty. A study of their lives will make us more anxious

to emulate their virtues and to avoid any faults that would bring shame to our own descendants.

The present work owes its origin to the interest and labors of several persons. Mr. Rufus Corbin of New York began, about 1890, investigating his Corbin ancestry, and soon undertook the work of gathering material for a general family genealogy. About the same time Mr. Ernest Corbin, a school principal in Albany, N. Y., began similar work. Each of these was at first unknown to the other, but in 1894 they became acquainted, and, being congenial spirits, formed a close friendship and carried on the work together from that time on. They sent out a circular for information, and continued to gather information as they had opportunity, intending at length to combine it for publication. But Mr. Rufus Corbin died of typhoid pneumonia, February 12, 1898, and Mr. Ernest Corbin, though considerably younger, succumbed to typhoid fever August 26, 1899. The genealogical material gathered by the latter remained as he left it until November, 1903, when Mrs. Ernest Corbin very kindly handed it over to the present compiler, who had expressed a willingness to complete it. Unfortunately, much of Mr. Rufus Corbin's material was destroyed before that time, but what remained was also given to the compiler by the family. Probably the lost portion has nearly all been recovered. The gratitude of all Corbins is due to these two worthy representatives of the family, who did so much pioneer work to gather the facts of the family history and to arouse an interest in others.

The compiler put the material which came to him in order, and has added about three times as much to it to form the present work. Credit is due to many others who have collected information and who cheerfully put it at the disposal of the compiler. Among these he would mention especially, Mr. Monroe H. Corbin of Webster, Mass., Mr. Raymond Van Syckle of Detroit, Mich., Mr. William G. Bosworth of New York, Mr. Harmon Corbin of Friendship, N. Y., Mr. George Corbin of New Britain, Conn., Dr. G. E. Corbin of St. Johns, Mich., Mr. Henry Corbyn of Kirkwood, Mo., besides many others. Grateful acknowledgment is also made of the financial assistance rendered by several of the Corbins, which has made it pos

sible to publish this book without loss and to insure some compensation to the compiler for the long task. Among these are: Mr. Harmon Corbin of Friendship, N. Y., Mr. Philip Corbin of New Britain, Conn., Mr. Jay Corbin and Mr. Amasa Corbin of Gouverneur, N. Y., Mr. William G. Bosworth of New York, and members of the family of the late Austin Corbin of New York.

The work as now offered is far from being complete in all lines. This is usually the case with every genealogy, as it is practically impossible to obtain a record of all the descendants. There are doubtless also many mistakes, although great pains has been taken to make everything complete and correct. Some persons are given fuller sketches than others equally or more deserving. This is due, not to partiality, but to the fact that the material came to hand in one case and not in the other.

The main body of the book is taken up with the descendants of Clement Corbin. Other Corbins settled in America, especially in Virginia. No attempt has been made to include this numerous southern branch, now widely scattered over the West. But there seems to have been at least one other line of New England Corbins from a different emigrant. These lived in western Connecticut, Dutchess County, N. Y., and Vermont. All the scattered information on this line of Corbins which has come in is included in the last part of the book. It may be of value later to some member of that line who wishes to prepare a complete genealogy of his branch of Corbins.

In July, 1904, at the kind invitation of Mr. Amasa Corbin, a number of Corbins gathered at the Murray Hill Hotel, Thousand Islands, and spent three or four days in delightful companionship. This was the first attempt at a general Corbin reunion. It is proposed to hold one in August, 1905, at Woodstock, Conn., the original home. It is hoped that the publication of this book and such reunions may serve to get the scattered Corbins acquainted with one another, stimulate a worthy family pride, and help us all so to live as to bring new credit to the already honored Corbin name.

The compiler, whose present address is Putnam, Conn. (or permanent address Union, Conn.), requests that any further information, especially in regard to the earlier

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