in issuing a new edition of mrs. ann s. stephens’ historic novel, mary derwent, dial rock chapter, daughters american revolution of west pittston, in the upper end of wyoming valley, deems it well to state, for a new generation of readers, the circumstances that led to its being written. in the early 50’s of the last century, this brilliant and versatile author, then editor of peterson’s magazine, philadelphia, spent several successive summers in west pittston, at the beautiful and hospitable home of mr. samuel benedict, whose young son, frank lee benedict, was then winning his first recognition as an author, and had already become associated with the magazine under her editorship. during those summers, mrs. stephens became deeply interested in the history and traditions of wyoming, studied every original source of its history within reach; listened to the story of the events of 1778 and the years preceding the tragedy of that memorable year, from the lips of men and women whose parents had escaped with their lives at that terrible time. a lover of scenery, a close observer alike of its broader aspects and its minute details, and happily gifted with remarkable clearness of vision “that,” as one biographer writes, “enabled her to be very realistic in the transcription of natural scenery”—this, added to her qualifications for writing the one standard historic novel that has ever appeared based upon wyoming’s history, theme, incidents, characters and setting of the story were ready when the call came for “a story of american life in the olden times,” by one of the periodicals of the day, which offered a $400 prize for the one judged the best. “mary derwent” was the winner of that prize. its first edition carries this dedication:

to my dear friend,

mrs. samuel benedict, of wyoming valley, in which the principal historic events of my story transpired, this book is affectionately dedicated.

anna s. stephens.

new york, june 1, 1858.

the book has gone through various editions; its latest issue being in the uniform edition of her works, in 23 volumes, published in 1886, the year of the author’s death. it was also republished serially in the pittston gazette in 1878, at the time of the centennial “in memoriam” gatherings around the wyoming monument. but it has been for some years out of print and its historic value, its accurate transcription of wyoming’s beautiful scenery and its vivid delineations, both of character and events, has led to this new edition in behalf of dial rock chapter, daughters of american revolution.

susan e. dickinson.

scranton, pa., march 10, 1908.