USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Proceedings of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, 1877, Volume I-5 > Part 4
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FIRST YEAR-1875.
The first preliminary meeting of this Society was held at the residence of Samuel E. Staples, No. 1 Lincoln Place, January 24, 1875, agreeably to an invitation given to several gentlemen to meet and consult upon the expediency of forming a society or association, the objects of which should be " to foster in its mem- bers a love and admiration for antiquarian research and archæo- logical science, and to rescue from oblivion such historical matter as would otherwise be lost." There were present at this meeting Samuel E. Staples, Jolın G. Smith, Franklin P. Rice and Richard O'Flynn. The subject of forming a society or association for such purposes was freely discussed, and the unanimously expressed opinion of those present was that such an organization would be useful and its mission beneficial, provided that a sufficient number of persons interested in its objects would unite in its formation, attend its meetings, and contribute to its interest and support. It was decided, before any formal action be taken, that another meet- ing be called and other persons of similar tastes be invited to be present. At this meeting Samuel E. Staples presented the draft of a Constitution-the substance of the present one-as a basis of the organization.
At the second preliminary meeting, held January 30, 1875, at the office of Tyler & Seagrave, No. 442 Main street, the meeting was organized by the choice of Samuel E. Staples as chairman, and Daniel Seagrave as secretary. There were present Samuel E. Staples, John G. Smith, Franklin P. Rice and Daniel Seagrave.
The subject of forming a society or association, as set forth in the letter of invitation, was considered, and it was unanimously voted to proceed with such purpose. The draft of a Constitution presented at the previous meeting was discussed at length, and subsequently referred to a committee, to report upon the same at a future meeting.
At the third preliminary meeting, held February 13, 1875, at the same place as the previous meeting, the committee to whom was referred the Constitution, made their report upon the same, which, with some slight amendments, was adopted.
At the first regular meeting, held March 2, 1875, at the office of Tyler & Seagrave, 442 Main street, the organization of the Society was completed by the election of the following officers :
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SAMUEL E. STAPLES, President.
HENRY D. BARBER, Vice President.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE, Secretary.
HENRY F. STEDMAN, Treasurer.
JOHN G. SMITH, Librarian.
Reports of acquisitions by members to their respective collec- tions have been made from time to time, showing what and how much each had gathered in his specialty.
The aggregate of collections during the first twelve months was quite satisfactory, possibly all that the most hopeful might have had reason to expect. Notwithstanding the paucity of our num- bers, more than 1000 volumes and more than 1500 pamphlets, treating upon a great variety of subjects, besides much other valu- able miscellaneous matter, such as portraits, views, autographs, coins, medals, etc., have been gathered, from which the history of the past may be written, and which shall be of advantage to the future historian. Among the many works collected are Belknap's History of New Hampshire, 3 vols .; Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts and Barber's Historical Collections ; Williams' His- tory of Vermont, 2 vols .; Whitney's History of Worcester County with map, published in 1793, and scores of town histories, histori- cal addresses, etc., many of which are very valuable and hardly attainable at any price.
A good degree of interest has been manifested on the part of the members in their attendance at the meetings. At the close of the first year there were twelve names upon the roll of member- ship. Twelve meetings (three preliminary, nine regular and spe- cial,) have been held, in most cases at the residences of the mem- bers, by special invitation, and, although they have been somewhat informal and of a social character, yet they have been profitable and interesting.
SECOND YEAR-1876.
The second year of the existence of the Society has not been without its gratifying results-a growing interest, an increase of . numbers, and a large average attendance at its meetings.
Two very interesting and instructive essays-one by Mr. Charles R. Johnson, upon the " Vestiges of Ancient American Civilization,"
45
and the other by Mr. Ellery B. Crane, the subject of which was " Genealogy "-have been read before the Society during the past year, and it is hoped that these may find a place in our Proceed- ings, whenever the same shall be published.
During the past year the Constitution has been carefully revised, in order to meet the present and prospective wants of the Society.
I have the pleasure to report that the members have made large and varied additions to their respective libraries and collections, numbering in the aggregate nearly 1000 volumes of books, more than 1500 pamphlets, 300 portraits and views, 700 coins and med- als, and numerous autographs, ete. It is also gratifying to know that much of this valuable historical matter-much of it gathered from the waste-box, and thus snatched from the jaws of the paper mill-is saved to enrich the literary resources of the city of Wor- eester.
Among the many rare and valuable volumes secured and deserv- ing mention in this report, many of which are fine specimens of printing and well preserved, are the following :
Piers' Ploughman (written,)
1362
Sermones Quadragisimales, Utino, (illum.) Venice
1473
Svetonivs De Vita XII. Cæsarvm, .. Milan 1475
De Preceptis (illuminated,). Venice. 1478
New Testament (reprint,) Cologne
.1526
New Testament (reprint,)
Geneva 1557
Daynty Deuises, London 1576
Breeches Bible (illustrated,)
London 1616
Mappe of Rome,
London. 1620
David's Teares,
London 1632
Quarles' Emblems (illustrated,)
London 1634
Overbury's Wife,
London 1638
Ovid's Metamorphoses,
London. 1640
Critica Sacra,
London
1642
Lof Sanck,
Amsterdam 1650
Gondibert.
London 1651
Middle State of Souls,
London 1659
Field's Bible, 2 vols., folio (illustrated,) __ Cambridge 1660
Muggleton's Works, London 1661
Works of Jacob Cats (illustrated,)
Amsterdam 1665
Theatre of Human Life (illustrated,) Brussels 1672
Clavis Homericus,
Rotterdam 1673
Baxter's Saint's Rest,
London 1688
Meditations of Antoninus,
London 1692
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Rome Illustrated, Amsterdam ___ 1695
A Modest Inquiry into the Nature of Witchcraft, Boston, 1697
A Confession of Faith, Boston 1699
Law of Nature, and of Nations,. Oxford. 1703
Remains of Perron, London 1707
Bon Mots, The Hague 1719
Poetical Register, 2 vols. (portraits,)
London 1723
Erasmus' Praise of Folly (illustrated,)
London 1726
Indian Converts,.
London 1727
Duncan's Cæsar (illustrated,)
London 1753
Gay's Fables (illustrated,)
London 1755
Walton and Cotton's Angler (illustrated,)_London
1759
The Chace (illustrated,)
London 1767
Winchester's Poems,.
Boston 1773
Treatise on Fortifications (illustrated,)
.London 1774
Laws of Massachusetts,
Boston. 1790
Bruce's Travels (illustrated,) 5 vols.
Edinburgh 1790
Collins' Poems (illustrated,).
London 1798
Religious Emblems (illustrated,)
London 1809
Chinese Testament,.
Canton 1813
Fontaine's Fables (illustrated,)
Paris
1813
Chinese Map,
THE OLDEST BOOK IN WORCESTER COUNTY .- " Sermones Quadragisimales de legibus fratris Leonardi De Utino sacre theo- logie doctoris." This is the title of a large folio volume, con- taining 800 pages, in Latin, printed on thick paper, without title page or date, as was the case with the first books printed. Upon the back of the cover, which is of wood and covered with hog skin, is the date 1473-5, but it is the opinion of good judges that it is even older than those figures indicate. The leaves are without running title, number of pages, signatures, or divisions into paragraphs. It is printed in ancient black letter, and the words at the ends of lines are not divided by hyphens. It has two columns on each page, with wide margin, and the words are very much abbreviated, with no punctuation marks except the colon and period. Proper names and sentences are begun with small letters, and the name and residence of the printer, as well as the date, were omitted, all of which indicate great antiquity. This book is illuminated from beginning to end, on every page, and is probably the best preserved book of its age in this country.
Since the above was written, it has been ascertained from a work in the American Antiquarian Society's Library that this book was printed at Venice in 1473.
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ANOTHER RARITY .- I must not fail to mention an edition of "Sretonirs De Vita XII. Casarrm, Mediolani, 1175," (Suetonius' Lives of the Twelve Caesars, published in Milan in 1475.) A brief description I quote somewhat from the language of another.
This work was executed by Philip de Lauagnia, who styled himself the first printer of the Latin race, and was associated for a time with Antonius Zarotus, afterwards with the German Waldo- pel, and later with John Bonus. This book, which is a fine speci- men of early printing, and in excellent preservation, is printed on heavy paper sized with parchment, a greater portion of the pages being as bright and clean as when they left the press, while on others are annotations in Latin. Space is left throughout the work for illuminated initials to be inserted by hand, which work was never done. It is a quarto, with wide margin, and compares remarkably well with the best specimens of modern printing. From a manuscript note on the fly leaf, the book is supposed to have once belonged to the library of Lord Spencer.
Books published at so early a date are exceedingly rare, it being but about thirty-five years after the first use of metal type with engraved faces. The publication of the Lives of the Cæsars precedes by one year the first Greck book ever printed, which was the Greek Grammar of Constantine Lascaris, executed at Milan by Dionysius Paravisinus, in 1476, and by six years the first printed portion of the Holy Scriptures in Greek-viz .: The Psalmns-issued there in 1481. There is in the Library of the Athenaum at Turin a book printed by Philip de Lauagnia in Milan, bearing date of 1469, viz .: "The Miracles of Notre Dame." The oldest printed volume in possession of the Ameri- can Antiquarian Society, located in this city, is a Latin translation of Herodotus, printed by Arnold Pennartz, at Rome, in 1475.
Among the rarest of American publications may be mentioned the following original edition : "A Modest Inquiry into the Nature of Witchcraft, and How Persons Guilty of that Crime may be Convicted : And the Means used for their Discovery Discussed, both Negatively and Affirmatively, according to Scripture and Experience. By John Hale, Pastor of the Church of Christ in Beverly. With an Introduction to the work, by John Iligginson,
48
Pastor of the Church in Salem. Anno Domini 1697. Boston in N. E. Printed by B. Green, and F. Allen, for Benjamin Eliot." In the catalogue of Mr. William Menzies' collection this work is classed as EXCESSIVELY RARE, indeed the rarest of all the works relating to the New England Witchcraft Delusion. So far as known, there are but three copies of this work extant.
In connection with Eliot's Indian Bible, for rarity, may be men- tioned the following work, only five copies of which are now known to exist, and are to be found in the libraries of the Ameri- can Antiquarian Society, the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Prince Library, the collection of the late George Brinley, and in the private collection of Mr. John G. Smith, the Librarian of this Society. This work is printed in English on one page, and on the opposite page in the Indian or Algonkin language, which was the spoken language of the aborigines of New Eng- land. It is dedicated " To the Honorable William Stoughton, Esq., Lieutenant GOVERNOUR of His Majestie's. Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England; and to the Reverend In- crease Mather, D. D., Teacher of the Second Church of Christ in Boston, and President of Harvard College in Cambridge." The title is as follows: "A CONFESSION OF FAITH Owned & consented unto by the Elders & Messengers of the Churches Assembled at Boston in New England, May 12. 1680. Being the Second Session of that SYNOD .- Eph. 4. 5 [and Col. 2. 5; 3 lines ] .- BOSTON. Re-printed by Bartholomew Green, and John Allen. 1699."
The Indian title page reads as follows :
" Wunnamptamoe SAMPOOAONK Wussampoowontamun Nashpe moenwchkomunganash ut New-England. Qushkenumun en In- diane Unnontowaonganit .- Nashpe Grindal Rawson, &c. . .. . MUSHAUWOMUK. Printeuun nashpe Bartholomew Green, kah John Allen. 1699. 16mo."
Another work of more than ordinary interest is entitled : " Indian Converts : or Some Account of the Lives and Dying Speeches of a Considerable Number of the Christianized Indians of Martha's Vineyard, in New England, viz .: I. Of Godly Ministers. II. Of Other Good Men. III. Of Religious Women. IV. Of Pious
49
Young Persons. By Experience Mayhew, M. A., Preacher of the Gospel to the Indians of that Island. To which is added. Some Account of those English Ministers who have Successively Presided over the Indian work in that and the adjacent Islands. By Mr. Prince. 8º, pp. XXIV., 310, 16. London : Printed for Samuel Gerrish, in New England. 1727."
Such a collection of rarities as the above ought not to be seat- tered, but, on the other hand, saved complete, to increase the lite- rary wealth of some public institution in our city or county.
The meetings of the Society during the past year have been held as formerly, at the residences of its members. While all have been pleasantly accommodated, and each and all cordially welcomed thereto, wherever the meeting has been held, yet all have felt the need, as our numbers increased, of larger accommo- dations at some central point, easily accessible to all. It is hoped that the time is not far in the future when the members shall realize all that they have ever anticipated-in having a pleasant and commodious place for holding their meetings, and a good library, with its useful appendages, etc., for their convenience and enjoyment.
The Society has held twelve meetings during the past year, with a fair average attendance of its members at cach session.
At this date the Society has a membership of thirty-twenty- seven active and three honorary members.
Respectfully submitted, DANIEL SEAGRAVE, Secretary.
Worcester, Mass., Jan. 2, 1877.
The meetings of the Society, thus far, having been held at the residences of the members, and the few expenses incurred having been paid by voluntary contributions, up to January 1st, 1877, the duties of the Treasurer have been far from burdensome, as will be seen by the following report :
7
50
TREASURER'S REPORT.
WORCESTER, MASS., Jan. 2, 1877.
JAMES A. SMITH, Treasurer pro tem., in account with
THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
1876.
Dr.
Cr.
Cash received of Secretary,
Daniel Seagrave $4 00
Cash received of President,
Samuel E. Staples 1 00
Cash paid to Tyler & Sea-
grave_
$4 00
Cash on hand.
1 00
$5 00 $5 00
JAMES A. SMITH, Treasurer pro tem.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
It is unnecessary to say that this Society was formed for the purpose of collecting books and other historical matter, without the expectation of establishing a library for public consultation, though it was supposed by some that such might be the result at some future day.
During the first year of our existence as a Society, each member made collections for himself, without much reference to the fact that a large portion of the libraries of the several members might be brought together as one; but during the present year such interest has been manifested in our efforts as to warrant the hope that this Society may soon establish a library for public use.
We have received the following donations :
ALBERT A. LOVELL .- His "Worcester in the War of the Revolution; Embracing the Acts of the Town of Worcester from 1765 to 1783, inclu- sive, with an Appendix."
ELLERY B. CRANE .- His " Rawson Family .- A Revised Memoir of Edward Rawson, Secretary of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay from 1650 to 1686, with Genealogical Notes of his Descendants."
HON. CHARLES HUDSON .- The Dedication of Town and Memorial Hall, Lexington, 1871;" his "Abstract of the History of Lexington, from its First Settlement to the Centennial Anniversary of the Declaration of our National Independence, July 4th, 1876;" his "Lexington Centen- nial, 1775 to 1785."
1
5 1
DANIEL SEAGRAVE .- Three Centennial Exhibition pamphlets.
RICHARD O'FLYNN .- Psalm Book and Record Book.
NATHANIEL, PAINE (for the City Committee on Printing the Fourth of July Proceedings.)-" Celebration by the Inhabitants of Worcester, Mass., of the Centennial Anniversary of the Declaration of Indepen- dence, July 4th, 1876."
CLARK JILLSON .- " Celebration by the Inhabitants of Worcester, Mass., of the Centennial Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1876, including the Oration of IIon. Benjamin F. Thomas, LL.D., to which are added Historical and Chronological Notes ;" "Singing by the Pupils of the Public Schools, July 4th, 1876;" his "Address Delivered at Worcester, Feb. 10th, 1874, at the First Reunion of the Sons of Ver- mont; together with Toasts, Sentiments, Speeches, Poetry and Song;" his "Valedictory Address, delivered before the City Council of Worces- ter, December 29th, 1876."
Respectfully submitted, JOHN G. SMITH, Librarian.
Worcester, Mass., Jan. 2, 1877.
The Society then proceeded to elect its officers, as follows :
President-SAMUEL E. STAPLES.
Vice Presidents-ELLERY B. CRANE, CLARK JILLSON.
Secretary-DANIEL SEAGRAVE.
Treasurer-JAMES A. SMITHI.
Librarian-JOHN G. SMITHI.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
SAMUEL E. STAPLES,
ELLERY B. CRANE,
CLARK JILLSON, DANIEL SEAGRAVE,
JAMES A. SMITH. 1
STANDING COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS.
ALBERT A. LOVELL, for one year.
FRANKLIN P. RICE, for two years.
CHARLES R. JOHNSON, for three years.
Clark Jillson was appointed a committee of one to take such action as might be necessary to incorpor-
52
ate the Society under the laws of the Common- wealth, and the Secretary was appointed a commit- tee to prepare a design for a seal.
The Committee on the "Old Burial Grounds" made a partial report in relation to biographical sketches of some of those interred therein, several of which were read by Albert A. Lovell, to the great satisfaction of all present.
The Society then adjourned to meet on the third Tuesday evening of January, 1877, at the residence of Ellery B. Crane, No. 19 Benefit street.
The adjourned annual meeting was held as per adjournment, and the Executive Committee, to whom was referred the matter of the publication of the transactions of the Society had been referred, made the following report, which was adopted :
REPORT.
To the President of The Worcester Society of Antiquity :
The Executive Committee, to whom was referred the matter of printing the Proceedings of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF AN- TIQUITY, have attended to the business submitted to them, and report :
That the interests of the Society at the present time seem to require the publication of its Proceedings for the years 1875-'6. Your committee deem it of great importance that this publication should embrace a minute, detailed account of the organization of the Society, giving such facts and dates as may be useful for future reference ; and they appointed Clark Jillson, one of their number, to prepare the matter for publication, all of which is now nearly completed.
For the purpose of defraying the expense of this publication, we recommend the levy of an assessment upon the active members of the Society of three dollars each ; and that each member paying
53
such assessment be entitled to two copies, with the right to pur- chase others at such price as the Society may determine.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
SAMUEL E. STAPLES, CLARK JILLSON, ELLERY B. CRANE. DANIEL SEAGRAVE, JAMES A. SMITHI.
The committee, Daniel Seagrave, who was appoint- ed for the purpose, presented a design for a Seal, and upon his suggestion it was voted that each member of the Society be invited to prepare a design and present the same for inspection at the next meeting.
The Society voted to levy an assessment upon the members of three dollars each to defray the expense of printing the Proceedings, as recommended by the Executive Committee, and the meeting was then adjourned.
The following letters have been received from those who have been elected honorary members of this Society :
CAMBRIDGEPORT, Mass., Nov. 27, 1876.
DEAR SIR-Yours of the 24th instant, announcing my election as an honorary member of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTI- QUITY is at hand. I pray you to assure the Society that I fully appreciate the honor thus conferred upon me.
Truly yours, LUCIUS R. PAIGE.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE, Esq., Secretary, etc.
LEXINGTON, Dec. 30, 1876.
To Daniel Seagrave, Esq., Secretary of Wor. Society of Antiquity:
DEAR SIR-Your favor of the 16th, informing me that I have been elected an honorary member of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF
54
ANTIQUITY, was duly received. I hereby signify my acceptance of the position, and my thanks for the honor conferred upon me. If I can aid you in your object, I shall gladly do it. I send you herewith a small packet of pamphlets.
Respectfully yours,
CHARLES HUDSON.
WORCESTER, Mass., Feb. 13, 1877.
Daniel Seagrave, Esq., Secretary of
The Worcester Society of Antiquity :
DEAR SIR-I have received your communication informing me that I have been " unanimously elected an honorary member" of your Society. Allow me, through you, to express my thanks to the Society for this honor and expression of good will. I have full sympathy with the aims of your Society, and I shall find spc- cial pleasure in doing what I can to aid it in promoting these aims. I should rejoice to see the disposition to "remember the days that are past," and to collect, for preservation, memorials of the past generations, much more prevalent than it is now.
Very respectfully, yours,
JOHN D. BALDWIN.
Mr. Daniel Seagrave, Secretary,
DEAR SIR :- I am in receipt of your notice that I have been chosen an Honorary Member of " The Worcester Society of Antiquity." With my acceptance of the honor, I desire to express to you and your associates my thanks, and my appreciation of your kindness.
Very truly, your friend, CLARENDON HARRIS.
WORCESTER, Feb'y 17, 1877.
At the regular meeting held February 6th, at the residence of James A Smith, No. 31 Wachusett street, several designs for a Seal were presented and
55
examined. The Secretary was instructed to invite all the members of the Society to prepare and bring designs to his office and express their preference after careful examination of all those presented. The President and Vice-Presidents were appointed a Com- mittee to select a design for a Seal from those to be presented, or make such combination of any two or more as they might think best, and cause a Seal to be engraved therefrom.
Mr. Thomas J. Hastings, Representative to the General Court from Dist. No. 18, presented the Socie- ty with ten volumes of public documents.
At the meeting held March 6th, 1877, at the resi- dence of Edward I. Comins, No. 46 Wellington street, a communication was received and read by the Sec- retary from Clarendon Harris, Esq., of Worcester, in acknowledgment of his election to Honorary Mem- bership in this Society.
Mr. Jillson, at the request of the Chairman of the Committee on procuring a Seal, read the following report which was accepted, and the Seal which the Committee had procured was adopted as the Seal of the Society.
REPORT.
The Committee appointed to select a design and procure a Seal for The Worcester Society of Antiquity, have attended to the duty assigned them and submit the following Report :
At the annual meeting of the Society, held Jannary 2d. Daniel Seagrave was appointed a Committee to prepare a design for a Seal, and in the performance of that duty. he presented one for inspection at the adjourned meeting held January 16th. At this meeting, upon his request, it was voted that the other members of
56
the Society be requested to prepare and present designs at the fol- lowing meeting. Ellery B. Crane, Dwight A. Davis, Albert Tyler, and Daniel Seagrave, responded to the invitation.
Subsquently, in accordance with a vote of the Society, request- ing all the members to prepare and bring in designs for examina- tion at the office of the Secretary, E. R. Lawrence, E. H. Mar- shall, John G. Smith, and Henry Phelps, complied with the request, which, together with those before presented, made a total number of twelve. Either one of these was well conceived, truly suggestive, and in some respects, well adapted to the purpose pro- posed. But as there were various designs, so as a matter of course, there was a difference of opinion as to which design was best suited to our purpose. It was therefore voted, that the whole matter be referred to a Committee consisting of Samuel E. Sta- ples, Clark Jillson, and Ellery B. Crane, with authority to make a selection and procure the engraving of a Seal, after the members should have an opportunity to pass judgment upon the designs presented and express their choice in the matter. This opportu- nity was given them on February 10th, at the office of the Secre- tary, when the last designs were presented in accordance with the vote of the Society.
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