USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Proceedings of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, 1877, Volume I-5 > Part 22
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Respectfully yours. STEPHEN SALISBURY JR.
Mr. Jillson in behalf of Nathaniel Paine Esq., pre- sented a collection of Coins and Medals, for which a vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. Paine.
Mr. Charles W. Feno, presented to the Society an Oil Painting of the "Banished Lord," after Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Francis Wood, formerly of Worcester, and a Portrait by the same artist of Marco Bozzaris, the defender of Liberty in modern Greece, who was born in 1789, and died in battle Aug. 20, 1823. These Portraits were painted abont thirty years since by Mr. Wood, and are in Antique oval gilt frames of great age, which were formerly in the old Sykes Tavern at the corner of Market and Main streets in this city.
After reading the following letter from Rev. Silas Ketchum, there being no further business, the meet- ing was adjourned for two weeks :-
POQUANOCK, HARTFORD CO., CONN., OUT. 7, 1878.
Dear Sir and Brother :- I have the honor to acknowledge your esteemed favor of the 5th inst .. informing me of my election as a Corresponding Member of The Worcester Society of Antiquity.
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I cordially respond to your expressed wish and hope. "that the relation thus formed may be mutually pleasant and profitable." In accepting the same. therefore. I shall not allow myself to re- gard it as a simple compliment from your honored body, but shall hold myself always in readiness to be useful to the Society when- ever opportunity offers. In whatever direction. therefore. you may discover that I can be so. oblige me by commanding my services.
Have the goodness to convey to the members of your Society my sincere thanks for this expression of their good will and con- fidence, and the honor they have conferred on me. and assuran- ces of my unwearied zeal in the commendable work which they have undertaken.
1 am, dear Sir. yours faithfully. SILAS KETCHUM.
Daniel Seagrave. Esq ..
Secretary of The Worcester Society of Antiquity.
The adjourned meeting was held at the Hall of the Society on Tuesday evening, Nov. 19, 1878, there being present twenty-three members and about forty visitors.
Prof. Alfred S. Roe of this city was introduced, and gave his "Reminiscences of Southern Prisons, narrating at considerable length his personal expe- rience while a prisoner of war at Danville, Vir- ginia, which was listened to with special interest and attention by all present.
On motion of Rev. Mr. St. John, a vote of thanks. was tendered Prof. Roe for his interesting narrative. Edward H. Thompson of Worcester was elected an active member of this Society.
The Librarian reported several donations of books, pamphlets, portraits and views, they having been.
received during the month, most of the latter being the gift of Mr. Chas. W. Fenno.
The project of a Lecture for the purpose of raising funds to replenish the treasury, was discussed at some length and afterwards referred to the commit- tee on entertainments, appointed January 15, 1878, consisting of Messrs. Crane, Jillson, Lovell, Metcalf and Stone, to report at the next meeting.
The closing meeting of the year 1878, was held at the Hall of the Society on Tuesday evening, Dee. 3, there being a fair attendance of members.
John Brooks Esq., of Princeton, Mass., was elected a corresponding member, and Henry M. Smith, an active member.
Mr. Crane, in behalf of the committee to whom was referred the matter of a Lecture, reported that it was inexpedient to have one as contemplated, as there were doubts in the minds of the committee concern- ing its final success. After some discussion the sub- ject was re- committed to the same committee for the purpose of further consideration, and upon which they were instructed to report at a future meeting.
A meeting of the Executive Committee was held Saturday evening, Dec. 7, 1878, when arrangements were made for printing the Proceedings of the So- ciety far the current year, and Samuel E. Staples was authorized to prepare the matter for publication.
Thus closes the record of what The Worcester Society of Antiquity has accomplished during the fourth year of its existence, and our members have
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good reason to be grateful for the result of personal effort, diligently applied in a worthy cause.
The hours which have been spent in gathering up the scattered details of Local History and other ma- terial worthy of preservation, placing them within reach of those who are to come after us, have not been spent in vain; and cheerfully we enter upon the duties of another year, inspired with new hope, confidently believing that our labors will be crownl- ed with success.
PROCEEDINGS
FOR 1879.
The Annual meeting of The Worcester Society of Antiquity was held at the Library, Worcester Bank Block, Foster street, on Tuesday evening January 7, 1879. The roll was called by the Secretary, and there were found to be present thirty-two members. The record of the preceding meeting was read and approved. The Standing Committee on nominations presented the name of Mr. Augustus E. Peck of Wor- cester, for active membership, and he was unani- mously elected. A number of proposals for member- ship were presented in due form and referred to the committee on nominations.
The large number of members in attendance at this meeting contrasted favorably with the Annual meeting in 1878; and a spirit of determination to make the work of the present year more complete than heretofore, was clearly indicated by the prompt manner in which the business was transacted, and by the several reports then and there presented.
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The President, Mr. Samuel E. Staples, then pre- sented his Annual Report, as follows :--
Gentlemen of The Worcester Society of Antiquity :-
Humbly acknowledging Him by whose power alone our lives are continued to the present time. I am again permitted to pre- sent my Annual Report, which embraces the transactions of this Society for the fourth year of its existence. Permit me, however, before narrating the events that have transpired, first of all to present to you the compliments of the season, and my best wishes for your happiness and future welfare.
We are reminded that one of our number, whose prospects for life one year ago were as good as ours who remain. has passed to the unseen land. and his place among us henceforth will be va- cant. At the time of the sad calamity by which our friend was so suddenly removed from our midst, appropriate notice of the event was taken by this Society, which I need not now repeat.
The year past has been one of prosperity for this institution. there having been a good degree of interest manifested by the members generally, and some of them have devoted much time. labor and money to promote its usefulness.
There have been twelve meetings during the year, with a fair attendance of members at all of them, besides the informal week- ly gatherings which have been held on each succeeding Tuesday evening, making more than fifty occasions when we have met to- gether for profitable and pleasant intercourse. Much could be said concerning the advantages of frequent intercourse between! members of this Society, the stimulus derived from such gather- ings of thoughtful and practical men, plans proposed and devel- oped to further the objects which we have in view, all tending to promote the usefulness of this institution, not only to ourselves and the community around us, but to those also who shall come after us. It is, however, unnecessary to enlarge upon this thought, and I pass to notice other matters which require our consideration at this time.
At the meetings of the Society the following papers have been read, all of which have been received with much favor. a number
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of them being contributions to our local history and are therefore of permanent value.
At the meeting in February, Hon. Clark Jillson gave some in- teresting facts concerning .. A Financier of the old school," Sam- uel Slater, the pioneer cotton manufacturer of America.
At the monthly meeting in March, Mr. Crane gave a portion of his valuable historical Paper upon "The Lumber business of Worcester." with biographical and genealogical notes, and com- pleted the same at the next meeting.
At the April meeting. Mr. Chas. H. J. Douglas, of Providence, R. I .. read an interesting Essay upon "Family Histories," which was received with much favor by those present. I regret that no copy of this paper has been received.
At the regular meeting in May, Mr. Jillson gave the first in- stahnent of his contemplated work on "The Death Penalty in Worcester County," which was listened to with great interest by all present.
In June. Col. Israel Plummer, of Northbridge, who had per- sonal knowledge of many of the facts which he relates, read his "Ilistory of the Blackstone Canal." a paper of much local as well as general interest.
At the September meeting, Mr. JJillson entertained the men- bers present by reading a sketch of the life of M'Donald Clarke, who was known as the ". Mad Poet," and whose sad history is painful in the extreme.
In October, Mr. Crane gave an account of the monuments of Egypt : and Mr. Jillson favored the meeting with an interesting biography of the late Ransom M. Gould. the latter having been neatly printed by the author.
In November, Mr. Alfred S. Roe narrated at considerable length his reminiscences of prison life at Danville. Va., while held as a prisoner of war, bringing to our remembrance the painful scenes through which so many of our brave sons were called to pass, and where so many laid down their lives that the country might live. All honor to the heroic men, living or dead, who, caring less for home and its endearments than for the perils of their threatened country, left all and gave themselves for its preservation. And here I am reminded of other perils and other
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dangers that have called for the best blood of our young men, who have sacrificed everything, even life itself, that the march of pro- gress should not be hindered as it speeds its way across our west- ern prairies, up and down the great rivers, and over the lofty mountains till it reaches the Pacific ocean on the West. Shall these die unhonored and their praise never be sung? Let us re- member these men also, who have made it possible to occupy our new territories, to build railroads, to cultivate unnumbered aeres producing-the great staples of life, where a few years since. only the prowling Indian was found and the tread of the buffalo shook the solid ground.
Since the Annual meeting, January 1. 1878, there have been elected eighteen members, four of whom are Corresponding, and one an Honorary member.
When we consider that for the last year an admission fee has been required. and an assessment has been laid upon the active members, the additions seem to be as large as could reasonably be expected, as there are comparatively few persons in a com- munity like this who take any real interest in historical research and the objects for which this Society was organized.
And just here I desire to acknowledge the very complimentary notice bestowed upon our Society at the time of the Thomas obsequies, in June last, by the Hon. Stephen Salisbury, Presi- dent of the American Antiquarian Society, showing as it did to the distinguished persons present that there is no ambitious rivalry on the part of this young Association, but that it is caleu- lated to supply a local want that the older Society was not de- signed to fill.
The work of the special committee. Messrs. Crane, Lovell and Rice, chosen Sept. 12, 1876, to copy the inscriptions in the an- cient burial grounds of Worcester and vicinity, has been contin- ued during the last season, many new names having been obtained from coffin plates and otherwise, while the remains were being removed from the Mechanic street burial ground, which will be published with our Proceedings as an addenda to the volume of Inscriptions issued in Feb., 1878.
There have been many and various donations to the library and to our collection of relies and curiosities, which are becoming
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quite valuable, which will be suitably noticed by the librarian in his annual report. or in the reports that will be presented by the proper officers of the several Departments of Work.
The duties of the Librarian, Mr. Albert A. Lovell, are now quite onerous, requiring much time to catalogue the various do- nations, as well as skill and taste to so arrange them that they may be properly displayed and made accessible for use ; and we are largely indebted to him for the pleasant and home-like appear- ance which these apartments now present. Especially would we acknowledge the gift of the black walnut Show-case, containing the collection of Medals and Coins, the work of his own hands ; and to him, to Mr. Crane and Mr. Feno, are we indebted for the upright case, containing various choice articles which have been presented to the Society.
The ordinary expenses of the year have been met from the re- sources of the Society, as will appear by a statement in detail, showing our receipts and expenditures, which will be submitted by the efficient Treasurer, James A. Smith Esq.
The correspondence of the year has been quite extensive, and numerous letters of appreciation of our efforts and encouragement in our work, have been received.
I desire to express my gratitude, and that of the Society, to our Secretary. for the very complete and accurate record that he has kept of our transactions, and for the faithful manner in which he has discharged all his duties. I am sensible that this notice is justly dne to him, for, by the Constitution no report is required from this officer by which his work could be properly known.
The duties of the Committee on Biography have been, I doubt not, faithfully discharged, but I fear it will be shown in their re- port that few of our members have complied with the vote by which each was requested to furnish a biographical sketch of his life, and to place his photograph in the archives of our Society for the admiration of future generations.
The Standing Committee on nominations, whose faithful dis- charge of their duties has been made manifest from month to month, need no word of commendation from me.
And now, what more shall I say unless I speak a word in my own behalf? For four years I have given to this Society what
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little of talent I possess. have devoted many hours of thought as well as work for its success, have made some sacrifices to further its interests, and now rejoice with you in seeing it established as one of the permanent institutions of this growing city. I wish I could have brought more ability to the performance of these de- lightful duties, but such as I have has been freely given. Had it not have been for the faithful cooperation of my fellow officers and the united efforts of the members at large, not much conld have been done, but with these, I am conscious that very much has been accomplished. I shall ever regard these four years as the critical period of our history as a Society, but having passed them safely over, I have now entire confidence in our future prosperity, and shall always look back with pleasure and satisfac- tion upon the work we have accomplished during this period of experiment and probation.
Having called attention to several matters that to me seemed worthy of mention and discharged my duties to you with such fidelity as I have been capable of, with many thanks for your courtesy and forbearance. I now tender my resignation as Presi- dent of this Society, trusting and doubting not that he upon whom all will unite as my successor in office, in the administration of its affairs, will, by his strength of mind, his long experience in public stations, his spotless integrity and sound judgment, so direct your councils that no harm shall come to this body, but its future prosperity thereby shall be secured.
Respectfully submitted.
SAMUEL E. STAPLES.
Worcester, Mass., Jan. 7, 1879.
At this meeting the following members were pres- ent, viz. ; Messrs. Staples, F. P. Rice, Howe, Stone, Seagrave, O'Flynn, Marshall, C. R. Johnson, Phelps, James A. Smith, Clark Jillson, Lawrence, Comins, Lovell, Crane, Dodge, Metcalf, Scott, W. H. Bartlett, Tucker, Shumway, Roe, E. F. Thompson, Bosworth,
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Jones, T. S. Johnson, Marble, Frank C. Jillson, Cook, Curtis, Henry M. Smith, and Nathaniel Paine by invitation.
The Annual Report of the Treasurer was then read and accepted.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
TO THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF
THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY. Gentlemen :- In accordance with the requirements of your By- Laws. I herewith submit my third Annual Report, showing the Receipts and Expenditures of the Society, for the year 1878, as follows :-
.JAMES A. SMITH Treasurer, in account with THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
CASH RECEIVED. CASH PAID.
1878. Dr. 1878. Ur.
Assessments, $193,50 Due Treasurer. $ 55.02
Admission Fees,
12,00 Rent to Jan. 1, 1879, 150,00
Donations, 13,00
Gas bill. 7.45
Sale of Proceedings, 19,30
Printing, 282,26
From Treasurer, 58,73
Newspapers & Station'ry. 10,00
From Librarian. 5.00
Incidentals. 13.53
Temporary Loan. . 200.00
Furniture &c ..
13.27
$531.53 $531,53
Worcester. Jan. 7. 1879.
Respectfully submitted.
JAMES A. SMITH. Treasurer.
*
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The Librarian, Albert A. Lovell, read his Annual Report, which, together with the list of donations, will be found in subsequent pages.
A letter was received from Wm. S. Barton Esq. presenting to the Society three volumes of Ancient Laws of Massachusetts, editions of 1759, 1763 and 1775, with supplementary additions.
On motion of Chas. R. Jolmson, it was voted to proceed to the election of officers. Messrs E. H. Marble and F. C. Jillson were appointed to receive and count the votes, who reported that the Society had upon the first ballot made choice of Hon. Clark Jillson for President, and he was declared elected.
Mr. Jillson upon assuming the duties of the office to which he had been elected, made a few compli- mentary remarks to the members and thanked them for the honor conferred upon him.
The following officers were then elected : Ellery B. Crane, first Vice-President ; Albert Curtis, second Vice-President; Daniel Seagrave, Secretary; James A. Smith, Treasurer; Albert A. Lovell, Librarian ; Franklin P. Rice, Nominating Committee for 3 years.
On motion of Mr. Staples it was voted that week- ly meetings be continued during the present vear, and that the Librarian be requested to have the Hall in readiness each Tuesday evening for that purpose.
It was voted on motion of Mr. Lovell, that the subject of the Annual Assessments be referred to the Executive Committee for their consideration, and that they report at the adjourned meeting.
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The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Par- don A. Lee, for his donation of a case of Relics and Curiosities, and to Mr. Henry Phelps for a rare and valuable collection of Coins and Medals. The meet- ing was then adjourned for two weeks.
By adjournment the Society convened on Tuesday evening. Jan. 21, 1879, the following members being present, viz: the President, Hon. Clark Jillson, and Messrs. Crane, Staples, Seagrave, F. P. Rice, Cook, Fenno, Chas. R. Johnson, Summer, Tyler, E. II. Rice, F. C. Jillson, Lovell, Phelps, Stone, Lawrence, Lamb, Marble, Comins, Tucker, J. A. Smith, and by invita- tion, Rev. Geo. Allen and Mr. Pardon A. Lee.
The oath of office was administered to the Clerk and Treasurer by Hon. Clark Jillson, after which the following business was transacted.
Correspondence from the publisher of the "Argus and Patriot" of Montpelier, Vt., was read for informa- tion, and subsequently the Secretary was instructed to subscribe for that Journal.
Reports from the Departments of Work were.read, accepted and placed on file. That of Archaeology and General History, by Mr. Charles R. Johnson, Chairman; Local History and Genealogy, by Mr. Ellery B. Crane, Chairman ; Relies, Coins and Curi- osities, by Mr. Henry Phelps, Chairman.
The Report upon the Department of Ancient Manuscripts, Publications and Engravings, having been delayed in consequence of the pressing engage- ments of the officers of that Department, further time
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was granted them in which to make their report. The several reports will be found in subsequent pages of this publication.
Rev. Albert Tyler, by invitation, read, as a con- tribution from the Department of Local History, a narrative of the Butman Riot in Worcester, October 30, 1854, which was listened to with marked interest and attention. On motion of Mr. Staples a vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Tyler for his interesting historical Paper.
Mr. E. B. Crane, in behalf of the Lecture Commit- tee, made the following report which was accepted, and the recommendations adopted.
REPORT.
Your Committee to whom was referred the matter of entertain- ments, after having carefully, and as they think thoroughly, in- vestigated the subject, have arrived at a unanimous conclusion, and would respectfully offer the following report.
In their opinion it is expedient to present for the patronage of the publie at this time, a course of three entertainments, to be given in Plymouth Chapel. The first one to be a Lecture by Frank A. Hill M. A., of Chelsea, Mass., on Tuesday evening, Jan. 28 ; Subject-"The Mound Builders." The second, Select Readings by Professors A. S. Roe and E. H. Rice, with Musical Selections for the Flute by Mr. Frank E. Fitch, accompanied by Mr. Walter H. Merrifield, all of this city ; to be given on Thursday evening, Feb. 6 ; and the third and last to be a Lecture on "Moorish Re- mains in Spain," Feb. 11, by Mr. John E. Russell of Leicester.
Your Committe in recommending this report for the consider- ation of the Society, desire to express their hearty approval of the same, believing that it will prove a sure success, financially and intellectually ; and unless we have been seriously misinformed, show itself to be the most profitable and instructive course of
..
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the season. We would earnestly solicit your zealous co-operation in the undertaking. All of which is respectfully submitted by your Committee.
ELLERY B. CRANE, Chairman.
Upon recommendation of the Executive Commit- tee, it was voted to assess the members three dollars to defray the ordinary expenses for the year 1879.
The following resolution, offered by Mr. Albert A. Lovell, was unanimously adopted :-
Resolved .- That we tender to Mr. Samuel E. Staples, on his retirement from the office of President of this Society, our sincere thanks for the acceptable manner with which he has performed the duties of that position for the past four years ; and that we hereby express to him our grateful appreciation of his earnest and persevering efforts in the organization of this Association, and in its maintenance through the early and critical period of its exist- ence.
Mr. Staples said that were he to remain silent, it might be thought that he failed to appreciate the very generous recognition by the Society of his im- perfect service in its behalf, and he desired therefore to express to the members his heart-felt gratitude for their approval of his endeavor to promote the inter- ests of this Association.
The Rev. Geo. Allen was invited by the President to address the meeting. In response to this invita- tion. Mr. Allen complimented the Society upon the interest manifested by the members in the work of their several departments, and upon what had been accomplished by them as indicated in their reports.
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DEPARTMENT REPORTS.
REPORT ON ARCILEOLOGY AND GENERAL HISTORY.
The members of the Department of Archæology and General History met at the Hall of the Society, on Thursday evening, June 24, 1878, and organized by the choice of Charles R. Johnson as Chairman, and E. F. Thompson as Secretary.
After a somewhat protracted discussion as to methods of work. it was decided, for purposes of investigation, to divide the men- bers into two classes ; those paying special attention to the All- tiquities of the Western Hemisphere constituting one class, and those particularly interested in the Eastern Hemisphere the other.
A division having been made on this basis, the meeting adjourn- ed, it being understood that the two branches should prosecute their work as diligently as possible, and report to the general body whenever called upon. Such a beginning having been made, considerable results might have been expected from the organ- ization. It must be confessed, however, that not as much has been done as could be wished. The remoteness of the fields of labor has precluded almost anything in the way of original dis- covery, and although much might be accomplished by reading up and digesting the accounts of the researches of others, it is to be
feared that not enough has been done in this direction. Hence this Department cannot lay claim to so much success as some of the others, especially that of Local History. When one's work is at his own door, so that he has, as it were, but to reach out his hand and gather in the fruits from fields "white already to harvest," the task is not a very difficult one, and large returns are sure to be the reward of even moderate exertions ; but when the laborer is far removed from the scene of duty and peculiar hard- ships beset his way, it is not to be greatly wondered at, if for a time at least, he seems to accomplish but little, yet, although we must admit that small progress has been made at home in Archæ- ological research. it is gratifying to know that elsewhere the subject is receiving that attention which its importance merits.
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