Excerpt from Centennial History of the Village of Ballston Spa: Including the Towns of Ballston and Milton

General Ulysses S. Grant once said that each and every community should record in some manner its progress and its work as a landmark for the future. The force of this saying appeals strongly to one who endeavors to write the his tory of the long ago; to grope among dust covered and meagre records; to search out the truth of history through legend and tradition, and from the mists that gather 'round the early days bring forth to the light of the present day the men and their deeds which have made the history of a hundred years and more of village life.

At the solicitation of a number of our citizens, and little realizing the ex tent Of the task imposed, the author began the compilation of a history of Balls ton from its first settlement in 1763. Now that the work is completed, aware of its many imperfections, and craving the kind indulgence of the reader for whatever errors or omissions may be found in its pages, the history is given to the public with the hope that it will prove of more than passing interest.

Through the kindness of Miss Ella M. Booth, daughter of the late John Chester Booth, that part of his unpublished history of Saratoga County, relat ing to Ballston Spa and this immediate locality, is for the first time made public. The late Judge Scott, of this village, and the late Judge William Hay of Saratoga Springs, both historians of eminent ability, after reading the manu script copy Of Mr. Booth's history, commended it most highly. Its literary merit is beyond criticism. Mr. Booth's history was completed in 1858, and this should be borne in mind by the reader.

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