Our family had lived in Surrey for years.

Probably some Puritan of the name of Morgeson had moved from an earlier settlement, and, appropriating a few acres in what was now its center, lived long enough upon them to see his sons and daughters married to the sons and daughters of similar settlers.

So our name was in perpetuation, though none of our race ever made a mark in his circle, or attained a place among the great ones of his day.

The family recipes for curing herbs and hams, and making cordials, were in better preservation than the memory of their makers.

It is certain that they were not a progressive or changeable family.