Charles Coleman Sellers, biographer of Charles Willson Peale and author of 

 the monumental, definitive Portraits and Miniatures of Charles Willson Pi alt, has 

 answered my many questions and has graciously opened doors whose existence I 

 was unaware of. It was Charles Coleman Sellers' father, Horace Wells Sellers 

 ( 1 857-1 933), who encouraged his uncle George Escol Sellers to expand his reminis- 

 censes, and he assiduously collected, arranged, and transcribed the numerous papers 

 that his uncle wrote. 



John H. Powell, catalyst extraordinary of historical studies, furnished a summary 

 of his work on Patrick Lyon that greatly expanded my knowledge of this colorful, 

 competent mechanician. The kind assistance of Mrs. Gertrude D. Hess and Murphy 

 D. Smith made my several visits to the American Philosophical Society Library both 

 profitable and pleasant. Norman B. Wilkinson, John W. Maxson, Jr., and James L. 

 Anderson have all responded with helpful answers to my unbidden queries. 



My special thanks go to George Giguere, who drew the frontispiece portrait of 

 the author. Mrs. Catherine Scott's patient work of typing, retyping, collating, and 

 comparing the manuscript has helped to insure a faithful rendering of the author's 

 narrative. 



While I thank all of those who have lent aid and encouragement, I take sole 

 responsibility for opinions, conclusions, and mistakes. 



Eugene S. Ferguson 

 Ames, Iowa 

 September 28, 1^64 



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