Over a period of seven years, more than fifteen hundred manuscript volumes of ecclesiastical, ministerial, state, probate, town, and society records were reviewed by Mr. Cothren in his research for this work. The first one-half of the book is devoted to the history and development of Woodbury, as well as the towns of Washington, Southbury, Bethlem, Roxbury, Oxford, and Middleburg, up to 1854. Chapters include Physical History; History of Indian Purchases; Civil History; Indian History; Ecclesiastical History; Revolutionary History; History of Southbury and South Britain Societies, and the town of Southbury; History of Bethlehem Society, and the town of Bethlem; History of Judea and New Preston Ecclesiastical Societies, and the town of Washington; History of Roxbury Ecclesiastical Society, and the town of Roxbury; History of the Other Churches Beside the Congregational; History of the Strict Congregational Society in Woodbury; and Biographical Sketches of Natives and Residents of Ancient, Who Have Remained in the Territory. The second-half of the book, consists of genealogical and biographical sketches of natives of Woodbury, who have emigrated from the Ancient Town and become distinguished in the places of their adoption. The genealogical materials begins with the emigrant ancestor and continue through several generations, often naming scores of progeny.