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بيعاحمر
NO. I.
PROCEEDINGS
- OF THE -
CULOTTESPET Society of Antiquity,
FROM ITS INSTITUTION JAN. 24, 1875, TO THE RE-ORGANIZATION UNDER TIIE GENERAL LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTHI,
March 6th, 1877;
TOGETHER WITH THE
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
AND
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
CIET
WORCESTER
OF
INSTITUTEO
HISTORIA
ARCHEOLOGIAIL
ANTIQU
JANUARY, 1875
LITERA SCRIPTA MANET
in
3HJ
WORCESTER, MASS .: PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY. 1877. U. S. A. C I.
COLLECTIONS
-- (OF THE) ----
KHOFCESTER Society of Antiquity,
VOLUME I.
SOCIETY
STER
OF
WORCE
INSTITUTEO
HISTORIA
ARCHAEOLOCIA
ANTIQU
JANUARY, 1875.
LITERAS SCRIPTA MANET
3HJ
TY .
WORCESTER, MASS. : PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY. 1881. U. S. A. CV. 1
F74
9508
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
1898 CITY OF WASHINGTON.
C
C
----
PREFACE TO COLLECTIONS.
THE TRANSACTIONS of The Worcester Society of Antiquity, from its organization in 1875 to the pres- ent time, comprise a great variety of interesting matter, presented from time to time before the So- ciety by those specially interested in the subjects they have considered.
Particular attention has been paid to local as well as general history, and numerous facts, hitherto un- known to the public, have been gathered up and placed beyond the reach of destruction. It may safely be said that no other society in Massachusetts has been able to accomplish so much in so short a time. This is mainly due to the personal efforts of the members who have not only made themselves familiar with written history, but have visited many historie localities, for the purpose of gleaning such facts as have heretofore been overlooked. Special pains have been taken to verify statements and dates, and it is believed that the historical matter contain- ed in these Collections is remarkably free from error in this respect.
The publication of the Early Records of the Town of Worcester, and also the Proprietor's Records, is an enterprise worthy of approval by all historians and genealogists, for the reason that much valuable material is thereby made available for consultation which has hitherto been practically beyond the reach of ordinary research.
This publication has been indexed with consider- able care, the Proceedings and Early records by Mr. Samuel E. Staples, the Burial Ground matter and Proprietor's Records by Mr. Franklin P. Rice, thus bringing the whole Collection into proper form for ready reference.
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.
CONTEN TS.
Proceedings of The Worcester Society of Antiquity, from its institution. Jan. 24. 1875, to the re-organization under the laws of the Commonwealth, March 6. 1877. Incorporation of The Worcester Society of Antiquity.
Constitution.
Proceedings of The Worcester Society of Antiquity, for the year 1877.
Inscriptions from the Old Burial Grounds in Worcester, Mass- achusetts, from 1727 to 1859 ; with Biographical and His- torical Notes.
Proceedings of The Worcester Society of Antiquity. for the year 1878. and Transactions at the annual meeting, Jan .. 1879.
0
PROCEEDINGS
- OF THE -
Worcester Society of Antiquity,
FROM ITS INSTITUTION JAN. 24, 1875, TO TIIE RE-ORGANIZATION UNDER THE GENERAL LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH,
March 6th, 1877;
TOGETHER WITH THE
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS AND
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
S
CIETY
WORCESTER INSTITUTEO
OF
HISTORIA
ARCHEOLOGIA
LITERES
SCRIPTIEL MANET
ANTIQ
JANUARY, 1875.
THE
WORCESTER, MASS .: PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY. 1877, U. S. A. CI.
-
Tyler & Seagrave, Printers, 442 Main Street.
-
Committee on Publication.
SAMUEL E. STAPLES. CLARK JILLSON. ELLERY B. CRANE. DANIEL SEAGRAVE. JAMES A. SMITH.
Officers for 1877.
PRESIDENT, SAMUEL E. STAPLES.
VICE-PRESIDENTS,
CLARK JILLSON,
ELLERY B. CRANE.
SECRETARY, DANIEL SEAGRAVE.
TREASURER. JAMES A. SMITH.
LIBRARIAN, JOHN G. SMITH. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
SAMUEL E. STAPLES, CLARK JILLSON, ELLERY B. CRANE, DANIEL SEAGRAVE, JAMES A. SMITH.
STANDING COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS, ALBERT A. LOVELL, for 1 year. FRANKLIN P. RICE, for 2 years. CHARLES R. JOHNSON, for 3 years.
Fife Members.
Hon. CLARK JILLSON,
.
Worcester.
ELLERY BICKNELL CRANE, Esq., .
Worcester.
Honorary Members.
Rev. LUCIUS ROBINSON PAIGE, D. D., . Cambridgeport, Mass.
CLARENDON HARRIS, Esq.,
Hon. CHARLES HUDSON, .
. Worcester, Mass. Lexington, Mass.
HON. JOHN DENNISON BALDWIN, A. M.,
. Worcester, Mass.
Embers.
SAMUEL ELIAS STAPLES, DANIEL SEAGRAVE, FRANKLIN PIERCE RICE, .
Worcester.
Worcester.
· Worcester.
JOIN GEORGE SMITHI,
RICHARD O'FLYNN, .
Rev. ALBERT TYLER,
Oxford.
HENRY DAVIS BARBER, HENRY FRANCIS STEDMAN,
Worcester. Worcester. .
WILLIAM MACREADY,
. Worcester.
OLIN LANE MERRIAM, .
Worcester.
HERBERT HENRY THOMPSON, .
. Worcester.
ELIJAH HARRINGTON MARSHALL, .
. Worcester.
WILLIAM AUGUSTUS SHELDON,
Worcester.
WILLIAM BLAINE HOWE,
Worcester.
CHARLES RENSSALAER JOHNSON, A. B.,
. Worcester.
JAMES ANDREW SMITH, Esq., .
Worcester.
AUGUSTUS STONE,
Worcester.
Hon. CLARK JILLSON,
Worcester.
EDWARD RICHADSON LAWRENCE,
Worcester.
HENRY PHELPS,
Worcester.
ALBERT ALFONZO LOVELL, Esq.,
Worcester.
ELLERY BICKNELL CRANE, Esq.,
Worcester.
AUGUSTUS COOLIDGE, Worcester.
Rev. THOMAS ELLIOTT ST. JOHN, A. M.,
Worcester.
EDWARD ISSACHAR COMINS,
Worcester.
THOMAS MELVIN LAMB, .
. Worcester.
DWIGHT ARMSBY DAVIS,
· Worcester.
BENJAMIN JOIIN DODGE,
.
Worcester.
ISAAC NEWTON METCALF,
Worcester.
GEORGE SUMNER, .
Worcester.
JOSEPH NYE BATES, M. D.,
Worcester.
ALEXANDER COLE MUNROE, .
. Worcester.
Dr. CHARLES WHITNEY ESTABROOK,
. Worcester.
Worcester. Worcester.
·
.
[ No. 645. ]
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E IT KNOWN, That whereas SAMUEL ELIAS STAPLES, CLARK JILLSON, ELLERY B. CRANE, DANIEL SEAGRAVE, FRANKLIN PIERCE RICE, JAMES ANDREW SMITH, ALBERT ALFONZO LOVELL and ALBERT TYLER, have associated themselves with the intention of forming a corporation under the name of
The Morrestey Soricty of Antiquitit,
for the purpose of cultivating and encouraging among its members a love and admiration for antiquarian research and archaeological science; and, so far as practicable, to rescue from oblivion any historical matter that might otherwise be lost; also, the collection and preservation of antiqua- rian relics of every description, with a capital of an amount not yet estab- lished, nor divided into shares, and have complied with the provisions of the Statutes of this Commonwealth in such case made and provided, as appears from the certificate of the President, Treasurer, and Directors of said corporation duly approved by the Commissioner of Corporations, and recorded in this office :
Hoto, Therefore, I, HENRY B. PEIRCE, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that said S. E. STAPLES, C. JILL- SON, E. B. CRANE, D. SEAGRAVE, F. P. RICE, J. A. SMITHI, A. A. LOV- ELL and A. TYLER, their associates and successors, are legally organized and established as and are hereby made an existing corporation, under the name of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY, with the powers, rights and privileges, and subject to the limitations, duties and restrictions, which by law appertain thereto.
[ L. S. ] WITNESS my official signature hereunto subscribed, and the seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereunto atfixed this twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
HENRY B. PEIRCE, Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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PROCEEDINGS
FOR 1875.
ORIGIN OF THE SOCIETY.
The wants and needs of a community like the one in which we live, both present and prospective, are liable to remain unsatisfied unless some person volun- teers to give direction to individual thought, so that each may understand the wants of the many, and all unite their efforts to promote a common cause.
The union of distinct and independent forces, the bringing together of isolated rays of intellectual light, and the aggregation of individual research, require such peculiar talent as would seem to be beyond the comprehension of a large majority of mankind.
That there has been, and now is, in the city of Worcester, a considerable number of persons, includ- ing some in the humble walks of life, who have been and are deeply interested in the preservation from oblivion of all historical matter relating to Worcester or Worcester County, as well as in the collection of rare and ancient books, pamphlets, prints, engravings, pictures, autographs and coins, together with imple-
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ments and manufactures representing the arts, sci- ences and industry of former generations, no reason- able person will venture to doubt. Though their tastes were in many respects similar, they were not acquainted with each other, and, so far as their anti- quarian research was concerned, each was confined to the narrow limit of the meagre result of his own efforts, without receiving any substantial benefit from what others had accomplished.
The bringing together of some of these persons for the purpose of forming a Society is due to the fore- sight and ability of SAMUEL E. STAPLES, who, after consultation with one or two others, sent out the following brief card of invitation :
WORCESTER, MASS., January 21st, 1875.
To John G. Smith, Daniel Seagrave, Richard O'Flynn and Franklin P. Rice :
Gentlemen-It has been proposed to form a Society for the pur- pose of increasing an interest in archæological science, and to rescue from oblivion such historical matter as would otherwise be lost; and you are respectfully invited to meet a few gentlemen for consultation and such action as may be thought best, at the house of the writer, No. 1 Lincoln Place (rear of No. 69 Lincoln street.) on Saturday next at 4 o'clock P. M. Hoping you may find it con- venient to be present for an hour,
I am, yours respectfully, SAMUEL E. STAPLES.
The first preliminary meeting was held January 24th, 1875, at the residence of Samuel E. Staples, No. 1 Lincoln Place, Worcester, Mass., in accordance with the above invitation. There were present, besides Mr. Staples, John G. Smith, Richard O'Flynn and
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Franklin P. Rice. The matter involved in the invi- tation to this meeting was freely discussed, and it was the unanimous opinion of those present that an organization formed for the purposes set forth in said invitation would be useful and desirable, provided a sufficient number of persons could be found who would take an interest therein.
Mr. Staples presented the following Constitution for consideration, and the meeting was then adjourned to January 30th :
CONSTITUTION.
NAME AND PURPOSE.
ARTICLE 1. The name of this organization shall be THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY, and its object and pur- pose to foster in its members a love and admiration for antiqua- rian research and archaeological science, and the rescue from obliv- ion of such historical matter as would otherwise be lost.
MEMBERS.
ARTICLE 2. Any person of good character, having an interest in the objects of this Society, and having been proposed at a pre- vious meeting, may be admitted by a majority vote of the members present, on condition of contributing to its interests, attending its meetings, and conforming to the rules and regulations of the Society.
OFFICERS.
ARTICLE 3. The officers of the Society shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian, who shall be elected annually, in the month of January, on sepa- rate ballots, and shall respectively hold their office until a successor is chosen.
MEETINGS.
ARTICLE 4. Meetings for business and for the general good of the Society shall be held on the last Saturday of each month, excepting July and August, and as much more frequently as the
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interests of the Society may require; and it shall be the duty of the President and Secretary, jointly, to notify the members in writing of the time and place of all stated meetings, and of all other meetings which in their judgment the interests of the associ- ation require should be held.
QUORUM.
ARTICLE 5. Five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business ; but a less mimber may hold meetings for consultation and general improvement.
EXPENSES.
ARTICLE 6. The expenses of the Society shall be liquidated by voluntary contributions from its members, or others who may be interested in the objects of the association.
ALTERATIONS.
ARTICLE 7. This Constitution may be altered or amended in such manner as the interests of the Society may require; notice of such alteration or amendment having been given at a previous meeting, two-thirds of the members voting therefor.
The second preliminary meeting was held at the printing office of Tyler & Seagrave, No. 442 Main street, Worcester, Mass., Jan. 30th, 1875. Present, Samuel E. Staples, John G. Smith, Franklin P. Rice and Daniel Seagrave. Samuel E. Staples was chosen chairman and Daniel Seagrave secretary. On motion of Mr. Seagrave, it was unanimously voted that those present form themselves into a Society, the objects thereof to be such as set forth in the circular of invitation.
The Constitution presented at the previous meet- ing was read and referred to a committee consisting of Samuel E. Staples and John G. Smith.
The third preliminary meeting was held Feb. 13th, 1875, at the same place as the former meeting, and
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was called to order by the chairman. There were present Samuel E. Staples, John G. Smith, Franklin P. Rice, Richard O'Flynn, Henry D. Barber, Henry F. Stedman and Daniel Seagrave. The committee to whom was referred the Constitution made the follow- ing report :
WORCESTER, Feb. 13th, 1875.
The committee to whom was referred the draft of a Constitution for revision have attended to their duty, and submit the following report :
After duly considering the various names that have been sug- gested for the association, they have unanimously agreed that the one first proposed, viz .: "THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY." is the most suitable, as it covers the whole ground for which the association is to be formed, and is sufficiently comprehensive to embrace all persons, in every place, who may desire to become members of the association, and the committee therefore recom- mend its adoption.
Artiele second is so changed that propositions shall be in writ- ing, and a two-thirds vote of members present be required to admit members.
Article fourth is presented in a new draft.
Article sixth, for the word " shall " read "may," and the follow- ing additional clause : " but in case the necessity arise, the mem- bers may be assessed for such amount as the interests of the Soci- ety require."
The proposed Constitution, as revised by these and other amendments herein specified, will then read as follows :
CONSTITUTION.
NAME AND PURPOSE.
ARTICLE 1. The name of this organization shall be THE WOR- CESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY, and its object and purpose to foster in its members a love and admiration for antiquarian research and archeological science, and to rescue from oblivion such historical matter as would otherwise be lost.
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MEMBERS.
ARTICLE 2. Any person of good character, having an interest in the objects of this Society, and having been proposed in writing at a previous meeting, may be admitted by a two-thirds vote of the members present, on condition of contributing to its interests, attending the meetings, so far as practicable, and conforming to the rules and regulations of the Society.
OFFICERS.
ARTICLE 3. The officers of the Society shall consist of a Pres- ident, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian, who shall be elected annually, at the stated meeting in January, on separate ballots, and shall respectively hold their office until a successor is chosen.
MEETINGS.
ARTICLE 4. Meetings for business and for the general inter- ests of the Society shall be held on the first Tuesday of each month, excepting July and August; and also such special meetings as the interests of the Society may require; and it shall be the duty of the President and Secretary, jointly, to notify the mem- bers in writing of the time and place of all stated meetings, and of all special meetings which in their judgment (or upon the written request of any three members,) the interests of the association require should be held.
QUORUM.
ARTICLE 5. Five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a less number may hold meetings for consultation and general improvement.
EXPENSES.
ARTICLE 6. The expenses of the Society may be liquidated by voluntary contributions of its members, or other persons who may be interested in the objects of the association ; but in case the necessity arise, the members may be assessed for such amount as the interests of the Society require.
ALTERATIONS.
ARTICLE 7. This Constitution may be altered or amended at any stated meeting of the Society, notice of such alteration or
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amendment having been given in writing at a previous business meeting, two-thirds of the members present voting therefor.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
SAMUEL E. STAPLES, JOHN G. SMITHI.
The above Constitution was unanimously adopted.
The first regular meeting of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY, under the Constitution, was held at the printing office of Tyler & Seagrave, No. 442 Main street, Worcester, Mass., March 2d, 1875. There were present Henry D. Barber, Richard O'Flynn, Franklin P. Rice, John G. Smith, William Macready and Daniel Seagrave. In the absence of the chair- man, Henry D. Barber was elected chairman pro tem. The Society was then duly organized by the election of the following officers :
President, Samuel E. Staples; Vice President, Henry D. Barber; Secretary, Daniel Seagrave ; Treasurer, Henry F. Stedman; Librarian, Jolm G. Smith.
Thus was organized a society whose future prom- ises the most gratifying results. A committee, con- sisting of John G. Smith and Daniel Seagrave, was appointed to take into consideration certain amend- ments to the Constitution.
The next meeting was held April 6th, 1875. The President, who was absent at the time of his election, favored the Society with the following address :
ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.
THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY is designed to encour- age historical research. That there is a necessity for such an organi-
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zation in this community may be seen when we consider that in this city of fifty thousand inhabitants, with its many institutions of learning (in literature, art and the sciences.) there is no other insti- tution of this kind that meets the popular demand. The Ameri- can Antiquarian Society may be properly called a national institu- tion, supported and maintained by gentlemen of eminence in their several walks and professions, embracing in its membership per- sons of the rarest culture and most profound knowledge. Such an institution is useful beyond calculation, in securing, devel- oping and preserving historical knowledge, but it fails to meet the wants of many persons interested in like researches and pur- poses, who are not so fortunate as to be reckoned among the mem- bers of so honorable a body.
It is hoped and believed that this new Society may meet this demand, while it will in no sense be regarded as a rival of the older Society, but rather an auxiliary to it. In order, then, for this association to be the most useful to its members, and ultimately to the public at large, it is very important that each one of us pursue with diligence and careful inquiry the several topics of interest that fall within our sphere.
Historical research and the preservation of historical matter is the underlying principle that should prompt us in our efforts for the attainment and the dissemination of knowledge. Though this Society enters the field of inquiry, the paths of which have been travelled by so many illustrious men, there is room enough and to spare for the few congenial minds with which we start our organi- zation, and the prospective numbers, large and cultivated as we expect them to be in the future, who may be attracted to this organization. The natural benefits to be derived from this associ- ation are not to be overlooked. The field of inquiry is so broad that each one may here and there cull a flower with which to beautify our institution, or bring in the harvested fruit to enrich our membership. Let each one do his part, both in spring-time and harvest, that our garners may be filled.
By the records of the last meeting, it appears by the votes then cast you did me the honor to elect me as the first President of this Society. While I appreciate the honor thus conferred, I can only wish that it had fallen upon some other person much better quali-
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fied, or that I could bring more ability to the performance of the duties of the office. Desiring the growth and prosperity of this new organization, I shall do what I can to promote its interests, doubting not but that I shall receive the hearty cooperation of all its members.
At the regular meeting held May 4th, 1875, the Committee on Amendments to the Constitution, appointed March 2d, 1875, reported an article relat- ing to honorary members, which was adopted and numbered three (3), the numbers of the following articles being changed to correspond therewith. This article was as follows :
HONORARY MEMBERS.
ARTICLE 3. Any person of good moral character, interested in antiquarian research, and having a desire to assist in the objects of this Society, and having been proposed in writing at a previous meeting, may be admitted an honorary member thereof on receiv- ing a two-thirds vote of the members present. Honorary mem- bers shall be entitled to all the privileges of other members, except the right to vote and hold office.
The last meeting of the year was held December 7th, 1875, at the residence of John G. Smith, No. 53 Lincoln street. At the close of the meeting remarks were made by the members relating to the prosperity of the Society during its brief existence. Mr. John G. Smith said that he felt very much encouraged by the present condition of the Society ; that it had far exceeded his utmost expectations ; and he congratu- lated the members on the benefit they had already derived from their connection with it. At the close of this year the Society was composed of twelve members.
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The interest manifested on the part of the friends of this Society, in its progress and welfare, cannot fail to produce the most satisfactory results. The large number of books, many of them rare and expensive, collected by the members of this Society during the present year, will have a tendency to stimulate more persistent efforts in the same direction during the year to come. Our members now have in their libra- ries some of the oldest and rarest printed books in existence ; and when these collections are brought together they will form one of the most valuable antique libraries in the country.
With these encouragements the Society closes the first year of its existence ; and the members feel that they are justified in expressing their complete confi- dence in the success of this new enterprise.
PROCEEDINGS
FOR THE YEAR 1876.
The first annual meeting of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY was held at the residence of Samuel E. Staples, President of the Society, at No. 1 Lincoln Place, Worcester, Mass., January 4th, 1876. At this meeting the following officers were elected :
President, Samuel E. Staples; Vice President, Henry D. Barber; Secretary, Daniel Seagrave ; Treas- urer, Henry F. Stedman ; Librarian, John G. Smith.
The President delivered his address, as follows :
Gentlemen-In accepting the position to which by your votes I have been assigned for another year, I desire to return my sincere thanks for the confidence shown and the honor conferred upon me.
Conseious in some measure of the poor qualifications I bring to the performance of the duties of the office, yet with the aid and cooperation that I hope to receive at the hands of every member, I trust and sincerely hope that we shall be able to place this Soci- ety upon a sure foundation, and make it an organization the power and usefulness of which shall be acknowledged wherever it may be known.
With gratitude to that Being without whose notice not a spar- row falls to the ground, let us be mindful of His goodness and
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mercy to us in the past, and let us strive faithfully in the future to perform with diligence the obligation of each passing hour.
And now as we enter upon the duties of a new year, this Soci- ety observes its first anniversary. Thus far of short duration, little experience and few in numbers, some of whom have been classed as " middle men,"* nevertheless the purposes of the organization have been accomplished in the encouragement of historical research and the preservation of historical matter. Associated labor is calcu- lated to produce much greater results than the independent effort of an individual alone. By association we are quickened and incited to greater diligence and stronger effort, consequently more is accomplished than could be done without such united purpose. The advantages of associations like our own are apparent, and no argument is needed to show their importance.
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