I found this today while researching my PETTIGREW family history.  It was written by my maternal 5th great granduncle William Pettigrew, son of  James Pettigrew III and Mary Cochran (my 6th great grandparents).  This is his closing statement at the end of a family history that he wrote.  It is not dated but likely was written around 1800.

"I have given you a small sketch of your ancestors which may be an amusement in a vacant hour, and I hope you will always conduct yourself in such a manner that it will be a pleasure to some friend to write your history, and I wish it may be handed down to posterity."

It sort of sums up what I am doing with my research - and the latter part of my life.