PREFACE

Edited by E. H. Mallory 3

     These accounts are recorded by me from my father's notes and from my own
research done on the family line. The diary was written by my grandmother, Edna
Clair (Ferris) Mallory. The diary is in my possesion along with many of the
original photographs from that time. Little has been changed in the diary
except for punctuation and formating. Her father was John Charles Ferris.
John's brother, Benjamin Franklin Ferris wrote the memoir of the travels
and travails through the West of himself and John. My father (EHM 2) has
annotated some of the events in the diary. These appear as notes or interludes
within the diary.

     There are four first person parties these accounts. The first is myself in
this preface. The second is my father (EHM 2) in the notes and interludes. The
third is my grandmother, Edna, who wrote a diary of many years. The fourth is
my greatgranduncle, Benjamin Franklin Ferris, brother to my greatgrandfather
John Ferris, Gramp in my grandmother's diary. Ben wrote a most extraordinary
account of he and his brother John as they went West to mine for gold and fight
in the western Civil War. I apologise for any confusion caused by this, but I
wished to preserve their viewpoint.

     Those who have read these accounts have found them intriguing enough to
read them through. It is a straight forward account of life times for a family
over several generations. There is no fiction or embellishment added or needed,
this is reality as they experienced it. These people seem to have had quite
enough adventure in their real lives. I believe that the reality comes tharough
in their writings and that is what holds the reader. Ben's account is also
really good to read aloud to an audience.

     I regret that I knew none of these people except my own father. Even he
has stayed remote from me and expresses himself best in his writing. Part of
the reason for doing this is an attempt to meet these people and to understand
my own background.

EuGene H. Mallory (EHM 3)
December 24, 1984

Preface to These Documents. (Brief)
Family History
Ben Franklin Ferris - Memoir
Henry Ferris Genealogy
Edna Clair Ferris - Diary.
Mallory Home Page
Eugene Hutchinson Mallory Genealogy
My Father's Stories
A Georgia Diary