USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Proceedings of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, 1877, Volume I-5 > Part 25
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proved to be too much for the feeble resolution of many in the crowd, to abstain from an active expression of their indignant condemnation of Butman's supposed purpose in coming to Wor- cester. The colored men especially, were almost beside them- themselves in their desire to convince him that it was a dangerous mission upon which he had come to the city. Even the editor who had printed the hand-bills, and who had placed himself as a guard to keep off the crowd, found flesh and blood too strong for him when a tempting opportunity offered to kick the foe in the rear ; and the no-government. non-resistant guardian who had in- terposed his own person as a shield against danger. while urging the crowd to abstain from all acts of violence, gave them full permission "to abuse him as much as they pleased."-meaning of course, only such abuse as spoken words could bestow.
As the procession moved on, an occasiont missile was thrown ; here and there an egg broke upon the person of Butman or some one of his anti-slavery guardians, and now and then an attempt would be made to force the guard in order to assault the prisoner. As appeared in the legal investigation which followed, it was the negro element of the crowd that male these attempts, which were not always unsuccessful. Once, on the passage, the victim was struck such a blow as would have prostrated him had he not been supported on either hand by his faithful guards.
On their arrival at the Western Railroad Station, the train had gone in which Batman designed to return to Boston, and some hours would intervene before the coming of another. The crowd kept increasing, and its elements became more unruly as it in- creased. The negro blood was up, and growing more violent in its demonstrations every moment-the Anglo-Saxon blood was sufficiently excited to countenance almost any act the African blood might perform. What was to be done? What could be done to ensure the safety of the "kidnapper" during these waiting hours? The best expedient was to place him in the privy of the depot for the time being, while the peace-makers harrangned the crowd, and kept their attention from more violent counsels.
Thus the moments flew away, while the guards taxed their wits for a plan that should indicate a safe way out of the present dilemma. The present conditions were growing more precarious
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every moment. Violent men had forced themselves once and again into the unsavory harbor of refuge, and had been forced out again by some soft and some strong words of its peace com- pelling guardians. At last it was considered best not to wait longer the issue of the affair in the present condition of things. but to send the frightened and humbled and baffled Butman out of the city by other means. So a hack was called .- driven by that veteran hackman who has. in his day, had all the celebrities of the age, both good and bad, behind his horses .- and from the back door of that odoriferous strong-hold he had occupied. But- man entered the carriage that carried him from the city ; but his escape was not free from danger-for an unfriendly hand dealt him a cruel blow as he entered the hack, and the windows of his carriage were broken by the unfriendly missiles that followed him as he was driven away. He was taken to Westboro, and from thence he reached Boston, a sadder and a wiser man, than when he on Saturday, had gone up to Worcester, as it was beheved. in full hope of a successful slave hunt.
Thus ended the last attempt to execute the odious Fugitive Slave Law in Massachusetts ! Subsequent events, issuing in the emancipation of every slave. have made all such laws unnec- essary ; and to-day, every where in the nation, there are no slaves. This result, no doubt, is the legitimate consequence of many causes, among which we may class the insane attempt of the slave master to secure the privileges of slavery every where in the Union, in defiance of publie sentiment and by means of the fugitive slave law :
Of Mr. Jankins, we may say, that he is still with us. steadily and industriously pursuing his calling, as he has been through many of the years since the attempt to kidnap him, and carry him back to slavery. He had too many interests here and too much at stake to feel safe, after this attempt, and so he arranged the matter with his old master, obtained his free papers by pur- chase, and they are recorded in the office of the Clerk of the Courts-the only free papers ever thus recorded on the books of this county ! Since the war, he has visited his old master, and from his lips learned the true inwardness of this attempt upon his liberty.
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Thus endeth the episode denounced in its day as a riot, but now seen in the light of the present as a grand exhibit of those instincts of human nature, which lead men to obey the higher law of life, in preference to the lower, or statute law, when that de- mands unjust and unrighteous action of its subjects.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BIOGRAPHIES.
To the members of The Worcester Society of Antiquity .---
Your committee to whom has been confided the duty of secur- ing and arranging for preservation biographical sketches of the members of our Society have but a meagre report of work accom- plished. This department was instituted within the present year. and perhaps sufficient time has not yet elapsed to allow of the frui- tion of its plans. Immediately on our appointment the committee met and arranged a form of address to members, asking their im- mediate personal attention to the work proposed, which was mail- ed to all members, and sufficient expenditure was incurred to pro- vide paper of uniform size and quality, for the proposed records. Thus far that paper remains blank, except the few sheets used by the two or three members who have responded to our request.
We avail ourselves of the opportunity presented in an annual report, to present anew to the members of the Society the im- portance of the work we have undertaken. There is no one class of matter more valuable to the student of history than individual biography, and when this is coupled with genealogical material its value is greatly increased. It is also true that there is no class of historical matter more commonly neglected nor more carelessly preserved. It is a rare occurrence to find a man, even
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in so-called intelligent and well educated circles, who can answer a question concerning his ancestry more remote than his grand- father, and of the brothers and sisters of grand-parents most men are entirely ignorant. Members of this Society. devoted to antiquarian research. will find no little opportunity for such as which will bring a rich reward in experience, no less than in fresh information of unknown family ties, if they will undertake the work which is planned for them by this committee.
Our object is to cover this field. so far as our members are concerned. We propose to receive such sketches of the biogra- phies of our members as can be secured, with their photographs, and to preserve them in manuscript form in our library ; and furthe . after the record is onee begun. to add to it the eventful features of the history of each member. thus keeping the record full and complete. We especially desire to incorporate in these personal histories as much genealogical matter as can be secured. If this feature can be successfully maintained we shall have. in time a collection of material which will be as valuable as it will be unique.
We would suggest. in view of the danger of loss of material by too long delay, and the important influence which a good begin- ning will have upon the rapid accumulation of the proposed rec- ord. that the present members begin at once their work of prep- aration, and press it to a conclusion without unnecessary delay. The obituary record of our young Society reminds us thst we can not be too earnest nor too prompt in putting in form the available material. If the genealogical record of a member is incomplete. what is accessible can be given now. and additions can be made at any time, the plan of the committee contemplating additions. ud l'bitum. until the record is ended by death.
We are aware that for the immediate present the work we pro- pose offers more of labor and trouble than of important results. but we can gain some idea of its true importance and bearing by looking at the older societies of similar character. and asking ourselves .- what would be the value to them. after perhaps half a century of existence. if they had in a permanent and available form the personal history, genealogy, and the faces of each one of their members? We believe such a record would answer the
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question for itself, to every one who consulted its pages, and we ask your immediate co-operation that our work may be properly inaugurated, and that, beginning thus at home we may present an apologia pro vita sua for our Society, secure at once a sub- stantial and valuable nucleus for a most important and interest- ing department of our work, and through the experience gained in this work prepare ourselves for the better prosecution of more extended and general researches.
For, and in behalf the Committee,
HENRY L. SHUMWAY, Chairman.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
To the Officers and Members of The Worcester Society of Antiquity:
The Librarian respectfully submits the following Report :
In accordance with instructions from the Executive Committee, there have been forwarded to various organizations and individu- als not members of the Society, during the past year, 26 copies of Proceedings No. III.
Societies and Associations with objects kindred to our own have generously favored us with their publications, which have been placed upon our shelves. The Societies thus contributing are The N. E. Historic, Genealogieal Society, Vermont Historical So- ciety. Essex Institute, Providence Athenam, New Hampshire Antiquarian Society, Surrey Archeological Society, London, Eng., American Antiquarian Society, State Historical Society of Wis- cousin, Minnesota Historical Society. Davenport Academy of Nat- ural Sciences, Peabody Institute, (through the Hon. Stephen Salisbury. Trustee.) Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Canadian Institute, Toronto, C. W .: and contributions have also been re- ceived from Joseph Jackson Howard. LL. D., London, Eng .. Geo. Grazebrook. F. S. A., London, Eng., and from Robert Hovenden, Croyden, Eng. A full list of donations will be found in the de- tailed report appended.
Each active member has been supplied with a copy of Proceed- ings. No. III .. and a copy has been forwarded to each Honorary member. There have been distributed during the past year, 91 copies of No. III .. 14 copies of No. IV., 5 copies of No. II., 4 copies of No. I. There have been disposed of by sale 5 copies of No. III., 31 of No. IV., and 1 of No. I.
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There have been added to the Library during the past year, 470 bound volumes, 1256 pamphlets, 509 magazines, besides news- papers, broadsides, circulars, manuscripts, prints, engravings, por- traits and maps. The total number of bound volumes now in the library is 838. of pamphlets 3283, while upon our walls are 33 engravings. portraits, prints and photographs.
The donations to the library during the past year have been to a very great degree of such a character as this society was organ- ized to collect and preserve. Not only have the members and in- dividuals who are interested in our work contributed largely of books, pamphlets and documents which will enable the future his- torian to preserve to coming generations the events of our time, but they have also by their diligence sought out and contributed many rare and valuable works pertaining especially to the early history of this country and of the Old World.
Our library divided into a few leading divisions will be found to consist mainly of works of the following descriptions : General History, Local History, Biography and Genealogy, Theology. Medicine and Surgery, National and State Documents, and Ancient Fiction.
Your librarian would suggest that special effort be made for the collection of whatever relates to the history of the Great Rebell- ion in the United States, whether of books, manuscripts, pam- phlets or relics, as the time will soon come, as new generations who were not observers of the transactions of those trying times come upon the stage, when whatever throws a light upon this greatest war of modern times will be eagerly sought and corres- pondingly valued.
As custodian of the collection of relics belonging to the society, the librarian would report accessions of great interest and value, as will be seen by the detailed report appended, and also by the Department reports. The donations of medals and coins by Mr. Henry Phelps, of an Indian mortar by Mr. E. II. Marshall, a case of curiosities, and ancient furniture by Mr. Pardon A. Lee, and ancient furniture by Hon. Clark Jillson are worthy of special mention. Should the Society be as abundantly favored during the next year as during the year past, the seeking of larger and more commodious quarters will be necessitated.
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While we have been the recipients of so many valuable gifts, during the past year, it would seem invidious to single out any for special mention ; for he who contributes to our shelves but a sin- gle sheet or pamphlet may be placing in the way of the future seeker of facts pertaining to the past and present, just the informa- tion he desires to obtain ; and as general history is but the result of gathering here a little and there a little, the solitary sheet often assumes its place in after years as a gift of greater worth than one considered of far greater value at the time of gift. But notwith- standing all this, I cannot forbear mentioning in a special way the donation of a medallie collection by Mr. Henry Phelps. This col- lection consists of copies of rare and valuable medals of various countries, to which is also added a fine collection of coins. The study of medallie history is one of the most interesting and in- structive pursuits. From classic days medals have taken the high- est rank as marks of honor and memorials of great deeds. They bring to us representations of the features of the men and women they are designed to honor and also the representation of some deed or deeds which have rendered their names immortal. In fact the historic significance of medals cannot be overestimated. The materials of which they are composed, their devices and inscrip- tions, the events which they commemorate, the authority from which they emanated, the history of the engraver, all have an inter- est absorbing in its character. They also show in a great degree the temper and disposition of the nation in which they have their origin, and the state of the art of engraving at the time of their production. The total number of pieces in this collection is 518, of which 193 are foreign medals. 93 American, 146 pieces of coin, American and foreign, 5 Washington buttons, and 81 tokens, while in addition to these are 67 medalets, the gift of Nathaniel Paine. Esq.
Among the finest specimens of foreign medals in our collection are those of Napoleon. (Bataille De Marengo.) Napoleon, ( Pro- test to the English Government,) a remarkably deep struck medal by Rogat, Arthur, Duke of Wellington, the Elgin Medals, three fine Shakespeares, the English Army upon the Scheldt, Pierre Abailard, 12 Roman Emperors, Pierre Jean Beranger, Titianus Vecellins, Louis Phillippe I., Roi des Franeais, and a German
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School medal. The study of the medallie history of the United States has for us a peculiar interest. The total number of medals belonging to our national history is 86 ; 17 of these belong to the period of the American Revolution, 27 to the War of 1812, 4 to the Mexican War, and 2 to the late civil war. The earlier American medals were generally the work of French engravers, and are fine specimens of the art. the designs of some of the finest being fur- nished by the French Royal Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres ; Dupré. Duvivier, Gatteaux, Andrieu and Gayrad, design- ed those which are of chief historical interest and of the highest artistic superiority Among the finest specimens of American national medals are the Washington, Greene, and Gates, the Mor- gan. Howard, and John Paul Jones, the Libertas Americana, De Fleury, Anthony Wayne, and John Stewart. Of the above Na- tional medals, we have in our collection copies of the Washington. (Boston Retaken.) Greene, Gates, Morgan. Howard, De Fleury. Anthony Wayne. John Stewart, and John Paul Jones. The first American medal authorized was the Washington, voted March 25, 1776, commemorative of the Siege and Evacuation of Boston. Although this was the first medal voted. it was not engraved until after the Libertas Americana and the De Fleury pieces were struck. The history of this medal is particularly interesting. It appears that this medal has come down to us through several gen- erations of Gen. Washington's elder brother. During the War of the Rebellion it was in the possession of George Lafayette Wash- ington. then living on the road from Harper's Ferry to Winches- ter, which country was alternately in the possession of one or the other of the contending armies. The medal in its seal skin case was wrapped in cotton, deposited in a box and buried in the cellar of the old mansion. Gov. Andrew had, while living, made ar- rangments for the purchase of the medal, but his death pre- vented a completion of the transaction. In December, 1875, fifty gentlemen of Boston, at the head of whom was the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, agreed to be responsible to the amount of one hun- dred dollars each, and succeeded in purchasing it, and on the one hundredth anniversary of the event which it commemorates it was presented to the city of Boston, and is deposited in the Public Library.
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At the time some of our early medals were struck, Benjamin Franklin was at Paris, and was quite active as the representative of our government in perfecting the devices and inscriptions, and in negotiating with the artists. As indicating the practical bent of his mind, and to show how desirable it was to him to combine use- fulness with the bestowal of honor, the following letters are given : PASSY, March 4, 1780. To his Excellency, Mr. Huntington, President of Congress :
SIR-Agreeably to the order of Congress, I have employed one of the best artists here in entting the dies for the medal for M. De Fleury. The price of such work is beyond my expectations, being 1000 livres for each die. I shall see if it is not possible to have the others done cheaper. * *
With great respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and humble servant. B. FRANKLIN.
On the 10th of March, 1785, Franklin wrote to JJohn Jay, Min- ister of Foreign Affairs, as follows :
PASSY, (France,) May 10, 1785.
The forming of dies in steel to strike medals or money is generally with the intention of making a great number of the same form The engrav- ing of those dies in steel is, from the hardness of the substance, very dif- tienlt and expensive, but once engraved, the great number to be easily produced afterwards by stamping, justities the expense, it being but small when divided among a number. Where only one medal of a kind is want- ed. it seems an unthrifty way to form dies for it in steel to strike the two sides of it, the whole expense of the dies resting on that medal.
It was by this means that the medal voted by Congress to M. De Fleury cost one hundred guineas, when an engraving of the same figures and in- scriptions might have been beautifully done on a plate of silver of the same size for two guineas.
The ancients when they ordained medals to record the memory of any laudable action, and do honor to the performer of that action, struck a vast number and used them as money. By this means the honor was extended through their own and neighboring nations. Every man who received or paid a piece of such money was reminded of the virtuous ac- tion of the person who performed it, and the reward attending it, and the number gave such security to this kind of monuments against perishing and being forgotten that som eof each of them exist to this day, though more than two thousand years old, and being now copied in books by the art of engraving and printing, are not only exceedingly multiplied but likely to remain some thousands of years longer.
The man who is honored only by a single medal is obliged to show it to enjoy the honor, which can be done only to a few and often awkwardly. I therefore wish the medals of Congress were ordered to be money, and so
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continued as to be convenient money, by being in value aliquot parts of a dollar.
Copper coins are wanting in America for small change. We have none but those of the king of England. After one silver or gold medal is struck from the dies for the person to be honored, they may be usefully employed in striking copper money, or in some cases small silver.
The nominal value of the pieces might be a little more than the rest, to prevent their being melted down, but not so much more as to be an en- couragement of counterfeiting."
Signed, B. FRANKLIN.
Our coins show for themselves that the suggestions of the phi- losopher were never adopted.
I am quite confident the members of our society will derive great pleasure from an examination of this medallie collection, and instruction from a study of it.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT A LOVELL, Librarian.
Worcester, Jan. 7, 1879.
DONATIONS.
ALLEN, Rev. GEORGE .- A History in manuscript and the Constitution or Articles of Association of the Mutual Fire Society, Worcester.
AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY .- Proceedings Nos. 70 and 71, and 1 newspaper.
AMMIDOWN, Hon. HOLMES .- Genealogical Memorial of the Ammidown Family.
BARTLETT, THOMAS E .- 7 volumes, 17 pamphlets, 19 magazines, 38 cata- logues, 3 prints, hinges, door lateh, and wall paper to house built by Joseph Bartlett, Cumberland, R. I., in 1745; and lock to clock case, Old South ( Worcester,) Church tower.
BARTON, WILLIAM S .- 5 vols. Alden's Collection of American Epitaphs and Inscriptions, his Genealogical Sketch of Dr. Artemas Bullard and his descendants, 1 vol. Acts and Resolves-Revolution, 1 vol. Mass. Province Laws, Temporary, 1 vol. Mass. Province Laws, Perpetual.
BOSWORTH, Dr. F. A., Webster, Mass .- 47 pamphlets.
BOYDEN, GEO. E .- 2 nos. Liberal Freemason.
CANADIAN INSTITUTE, Toronto, C. W .- Canadian Journal of Science, Literature and History.
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CHAMBERLAIN, JOSHUA L, LL. D. Brunswick. Me .- His Maine, Her Place in History.
CHANDLER. Dr. GEORGE .- 2 vols. Collections American Antiquarian So- ciety, 10 nos. Proceedings of same, 2 nos. Proceedings N. E. Historic, Genealogical Society, 21 Reports State Lunatic Hospital, 6 bound vols., 5 miscellaneous pamphlets. 3 Genealogies, I vol. N. II. Magazine.
CHENEY, Mrs. A. B .- Spectacle case which belonged to Henry Dunster, first President of Harvard College.
CRANE, A. O., Boston .- I portrait, I view, broadsides and map.
CRANE, ELLERY B .- ITis Lumber Trade of Worcester in pamphlet form ; also, his Memoranda concerning recent Archeological Research and Thoughts suggested by Relies of Antiquity, 29 vols., 11 nos. N. E. His- torical and Genealogical Register. Reading Stand, 40 nos. Historical Magazine, Notes and Queries, 1 Photograph, Portfolio of Political Doen- ments, piece of Charter Oak, Iumber for shelves and case. I pamphlet. COOK, NORTON L .- 1 Foot Stove. I broadside, I volume.
DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, Davenport, Iowa .- Proceedings, Vol. 2, No. 1.
DEVENS, Gen. CHARLES .- Hfis Address at the Dedication of the Soldier- and Sailors Monument, Boston.
DODGE, BENJ. J .- I vol., Report of American Antiquarian Society, 1877, several pamphlets and catalogues.
DOUGLAS, HENRY F., Providence, R. I .-- His Genealogy of Robert Camp- bell and his descendants.
DREW. ALLIS & Co .- 7 Worcester Directories, 5 Newton Directories.
DREW, THOMAS, Boston .- Siege and Evacuation of Boston and Charles- town; Consecration of Trinity Church, Boston.
ESSEX INSTITUTE, Salem .- Bulletin, 1877-8.
FENNO, CHARLES W .- 5 portraits, 1 lock, 1 chest of drawers. 6 Venetian Photographs, framed ; 3 small portraits-Henry Clay, Isaiah Thomas, and John Quincy Adams; 2 old copper-plates 1765 and '67, 1 photograph, I volume, Relie from Frigate Constitution, and Relic from Confederate Ram Merrimac.
GIBBS, IVERS .- 1 volume.
GRAZEBROOK, GEORGE, F. S. A., London, Eng .- His Genealogical Mem- oranda relating to the Family of Grazebrook.
HARDING, WM. B .- File of Boston Daily Journal from Nov. 1877 to Sept. 23, 1878, Indian stone implement found near Lake Quinsigamond.
HETHERINGTON, JOSEPH, Webster .- 9 ancient and rare pamphlets. HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA .- History of New Sweden. and 12 publications of the Society in pamphlet form.
HOVENDEN, ROBERT, Croyden, Eng .- His Genealogieal Memoir relating to the Family of Hovenden.
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