Catching the written remains of distantly echoed voices

In the latter part of the 19th century, Abraham English Brown wrote a series of books under the general title of Footprints of the Patriots, a general effort to capture tales and stories from the still-living children and grandchildren of those patriots who had fought the Revolutionary War. The particular title I am interested in for genealogical purposes is Beside Old Hearth-Stones, published in 1897. The dedication is:

To the honor of the brave men and women though whose sacrifice our freedom was purchased, this volume is gratefully inscribed by the author.

The Prefatory Note:

In this volume, as in the first of the series, I have endeavored to bring to light some of the obscure movements of the early patriots.

The search for these has called me to the outer circle of the battlefield of the opening Revolution, where footprints of the minute-men have escaped the eye of the tourist.

I desire to acknowledge the continued courtesy of the members of the families now occupying the old farms from which their ancestors went out determined to have liberty or death.

In offering this volume to the public, it is with a sincere desire that all descendants of the early patriots, whether located on the old homesteads or in homes far distant from New England, may have a just appreciation of the cost of the glorious heritage of freedom to which they are born.

It is my purpose to continue this search, and I shall be glad to receive any suggestions whereby better results may be obtained for the promotion of good citizenship.

Wonderful stories, worth reading even still.