This work commences with the settlement of Massachusetts by John Winthrop, followed by succinct accounts of the founding and the founders of the towns along the Bay. The bulk of this volume, however, consists of genealogical essays on the following Massachusetts Bay families: Aspinwall, Baker, Balch, Collins, Gardner, Hull, Lobdell, Maverick, Nash, Palfrey, Payne/Paine, Porter, Preston, Russell, Sharp, Stone, Stubbs, Talmadge, Ward, and Weston.