USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Proceedings of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, 1877, Volume I-5 > Part 5
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The Committee in the performance of the duty assigned them, after a careful consideration of the various designs presented, and in accordance with the suggestion of a number of members of the Society, thought it best to make a combination of ideas contained in a number of the designs, thus securing a more perfect embodi- ment of thought than was manifest in any one of those submitted to them.
The Society has a very wide and extensive range for its inquir- ies and researches, as its name indicates, and in this may be seen the fitness of the emblems adopted. The Committee will not at- tempt to give a full description of the Seal which they present as the result of their labors, but will only explain a few of the lead- ing thoughts which they think it aptly presents to the considera- tion of the intelligent student of history. The prominent figure in the foreground and that which first attracts the attention, is a rep- resentation of a vase found in one of the mounds of the State of Ohio. This indicates earlier civilizations and settlements of this
57
Continent than till within a few years, had been supposed proba- ble. But late researches have established the fact beyond a rea- sonable doubt, of a settlement here, and an advanced state of civiliz- ation, that was not known by the early writers and historians of this land. Ancient implements of war are also grouped together, and beneath them all are the volumes of archeological science ex- emplifying the legend upon the scroll, " Litera scripta manet,"- " the written letter remains." The distant perspective presents the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and Cleopatra's Needle, all indicating the early civilization of Egypt, the seat of ancient learning.
The Committee would have been glad to have incorporated with these emblems something especially suggestive of New England history, but it was found difficult to select a suitable emblem that has not already been used by some other kindred Society.
We would hereby express our thanks to each and all of the gen- tlemen who have in any way assisted us in this matter, and submit as the result of our completed, though somewhat difficult task, the accompanying Seal, which we hope may be acceptable to all who are now or may hereafter become members of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL E. STAPLES. CLARK JILLSON. ELLERY B. CRANE.
Worcester, March 6, 1877.
The Committee appointed January 2d, to take action in relation to procuring an Act of Incorpora- tion, made the following report, which was accepted, and its recommendations adopted :
To the President and Members of The Worcester Society of Antiquity :
The Committee to whom was referred the matter of taking measures to obtain an Act of Incorporation, report :-
That the Society may become a corporate body under the Gen- eral Laws of the Commonwealth; and that an agreement has 8
-
58
been duly signed by the requisite number of persons, members of this Society, who have been legally notified to meet here at this time, for the purpose of organizing a corporation, to be known by the name of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
Your Committee recommend that those persons who have been thus legally notified, proceed at once to organize a corporation as and for the purposes set forth in said agreement, in accordance with the Laws of the Commonwealth.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARK JILLSON, Committee.
Worcester, March 6, 1877.
The above report was accepted, and its recom- mendations adopted.
The meeting was then adjourned sine die.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE,
Secretary.
INCORPORATION
-OF-
The Worcester Society of Antiquity,
AGREEMENT.
We, whose names are hereto subscribed, do, by this agree- ment, associate ourselves with the intention to constitute a corpor- ation according to the provisions of the three hundred and seventy- fifth chapter of the Acts of the General Court of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, passed in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-four, approved June twenty-seventh, in said year.
The name by which the corporation shall be known is THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
The purpose for which the corporation is constituted is :-
1st. To cultivate and encourage among its members a love and admiration for antiquarian research and archaeological science ; and, so far as possible, to rescue from oblivion any historical matter that might otherwise be lost.
2d. The collection and preservation of antiquarian relies of every description.
The place within which the corporation is established or located is the city of Worcester, within said Commonwealth.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands, this twentieth day of February, in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-seven.
SAMUEL ELIAS STAPLES, FRANKLIN PIERCE RICE,
CLARK JILLSON, ALBERT TYLER, ELLERY BICKNELL CRANE, JAMES A. SMITH, DANIEL SEAGRAVE, ALBERT ALFONZO LOVELL.
RICHARD O'FLYNN,
60
One of the subscribers to the above agreement no- tified said subscribers of the first meeting, by giving each in hand a true and attested copy of the follow- ing notice, as herein set forth :
You are hereby notified, that the first meeting of the subscribers to an agreement to associate themselves with the intention to con- stitute a corporation to be known by the name of THE WORCES- TER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY, dated February 20th, 1877, for the purpose of organizing said corporation by the adoption of By-Laws and election of officers, and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, will be held on Tues- day, the sixth day of March, 1877, at half-past seven o'clock P. M., at the residence of Edward I. Comins, No. 46 Wellington street.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE,
One of the subscribers to said agreement.
WORCESTER, Mass., Feb. 20, 1877.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, SS.
I, Daniel Seagrave, do hereby certify, that on the twentieth day of February, A. D., 1877, I duly served the within notice upon Samuel Elias Staples, Clark Jillson, Ellery Bicknell Crane, Rich- ard O'Flynn, Franklin Pierce Rice, Albert Tyler, James A. Smith and Albert Alfonzo Lovell, they being subscribers to an agree- ment to associate themselves with the intention to constitute a cor- poration, to be known by the name of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY, by giving in hand to each of said subscribers a true and attested copy thereof.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE,
One of the subscribers to said agreement.
WORCESTER, SS.
Subscribed and sworn to this twenty-seventh day of February, A. D., 1877, before me.
CLARK JILLSON, Justice of the Peace.
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The first meeting held in conformity with the fore- going notice, was called to order by Clark Jillson, and Daniel Seagrave was elected temporary Clerk, by bal- lot, and was sworn to the faithful discharge of his duty.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, SS.
March 6th, 1877.
Then personally appeared the above-named Daniel Seagrave, and made oath that he would faithfully perform the duties of tem- porary Clerk of The Worcester Society of Antiquity.
Before me,
CLARK JILLSON, Justice of the Peace.
The subscribers then proceeded to elect, by ballot : Daniel Seagrave, Clerk ; Samuel Elias Staples, Presi- dent ; Clark Jillson and Ellery B. Crane, Vice-Presi- dents ; James A. Smith, Treasurer ; Samuel E. Sta- ples, Clark Jillson, Ellery B. Crane, Daniel Seagrave and James A. Smith, Executive Committee.
The Clerk and Treasurer, upon their election, were duly sworn, as follows :
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, SS.
March 6th, 1877.
Then personally appeared the above-named Daniel Seagrave, Clerk, and James Andrew Smith, Treasurer, of The Worcester Society of Antiquity, and made oath that they would faithfully perform the duties of their respective offices.
Before me, CLARK JILLSON, Justice of the Peace.
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The members of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTI- QUITY, Viz. : John George Smith, Henry Davis Barber, Henry Francis Stedman, William Macready, Olin L. Merriam, Herbert H. Thompson, Elijah H. Marshall, William A. Sheldon, William B. Howe, Charles R. Johnson, Augustus Stone, Edwin R. Lawrence, Henry Phelps, Augustus Cooledge, Thomas E. St. John, Ed- ward I. Comins, Thomas M. Lamb, Dwight A. Davis and Benjamin J. Dodge ; together with Isaac N. Met- calf, George Sumner, Joseph N. Bates, Alexander C. Munroe and Charles W. Estabrook, were constituted members of the corporation.
The Constitution and By-Laws of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY were adopted as the By-Laws of the corporation.
John G. Smith was elected, by ballot, as Librarian.
The following members were elected the Standing Committee on Nominations :
Albert A. Lovell, to serve one year ; Franklin P. Rice, to serve two years ; and Charles R. Johnson, to serve three years.
The President, Clerk, Treasurer, and a majority of the Executive Committee, then made, signed, and made oath to the following certificate :
We, Samuel Elias Staples, President; James Andrew Smith, Treasurer ; Daniel Seagrave, Clerk, Ellery B. Crane, and Clark Jillson, the same being a majority of the Executive Committee of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY, in compliance with the requirements of the fourth section of chapter three hundred and seventy-five of the Acts of the year eighteen hundred and seventy- four, do hereby certify that the following is a true copy of the agreement of association to constitute said corporation, with the names of the subscribers thereto :
63
" We, whose names are hereto subscribed, do, by this agree- ment, associate ourselves with the intention to constitute a corpor- ation according to the provisions of the three hundred and seventy- fifth chapter of the Acts of the General Court of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, passed in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-four, approved June twenty-seventh in said year. The name by which the corporation shall be known, is THE WORCES- TER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
The purpose for which the corporation is constituted is,-
1st. To cultivate and encourage among its members a love and admiration for antiquarian research and archaeological science, and, so far as possible, to rescue from oblivion, any historical matter that might otherwise be lost.
2nd. The collection and preservation of antiquarian relies of every description.
The place within which the corporation is established or located, is the city of Worcester, within said Commonwealth.
In witness whereof, we have herento set our hands, this twell- tieth day of February, in the year eighteen hundred and seventy- seven.
SAMUEL ELIAS STAPLES, JAMES ANDREW SMITII, CLARK JILLSON, ALBERT ALFONZO LOVELL,
ELLERY B. CRANE, RICHARD O'FLYNN,
DANIEL SEAGRAVE, ALBERT TYLER."
FRANKLIN PIERCE RICE,
That the first meeting of the subscribers to said agreement was held on the sixth day of March, in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-seven.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto signed our names, this sixth day of March, in the year eighteen hundred and seventy- seven.
SAMUEL ELIAS STAPLES, DANIEL SEAGRAVE, CLARK JILLSON, JAMES ANDREW SMITHI. ELLERY B. CRANE,
A majority of the Executive Committee of THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
64
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, SS.
March 6th, 1877.
Then personally appeared the above-named Samuel Elias Sta- ples, Ellery B. Crane. Daniel Seagrave, and James Andrew Smith, being a majority of the Executive Committee of THE WORCES- TER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY, and severally made oath that the foregoing certificate, by them subscribed, is true to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Before me,
CLARK JILLSON, Justice of the Peace.
The Society then voted that the imprint hereto affixed be, and the same is hereby established as the seal of this Society.
SOCIE
WORCESTER
OF
INSTITUTEO
HISTORIA
ARCHEOLOGIA
LITERA
SCRIPTK MANET
1
THE
A
The following named gentlemen were elected Hon- orary Members of this Society, viz .: Rev. Lucius R. Paige, D. D., of Cambridgeport ; Clarendon Harris, Esq., of Worcester ; Hon. Charles Hudson, of Lexing- ton ; and Hon. John Dennison Baldwin, A. M., of Worcester.
A true copy.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE, Clerk.
Attest : DANIEL SEAGRAVE, Clerk.
ANTIQUI
JANUARY, 1875.
CONSTITUTION.
-
ARTICLE I.
NAME.
This Society shall be called THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
ARTICLE II. OBJECT.
The purposes of this Society shall be :
1. To cultivate and encourage among its members a love and admiration for antiquarian research and archæological science ; and, so far as possible, to rescue from oblivion any historical matter that might otherwise be lost.
2. The collection and preservation of antique relies of every description.
ARTICLE III.
OFFICERS.
The officers of this Society shall consist of a President, two Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian. Each officer shall be elected by ballot, and only one officer shall be balloted for at the same time. A majority of the ballots shall be sufficient to elect. They shall holl office for the term of one year, and until their successors are chosen.
ARTICLE IV. DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
1. President. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings, when present. In his absence the First Vice Presi- dent shall preside ; in the absence of the latter, the Second Vice President shall preside; and in the absence of all three, a Presi- dent pro tem. shall be chosen.
66
2. Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a record of all meetings of the Society in a book provided for that purpose ; to issue all notices of meetings, with the time and place of same; to conduct the general correspondence of the Society ; shall notify all persons of their election as members of the Society ; shall notify all members elected to office, who were not present at the time of their election, within ten days thereafter; and at the expiration of his term of office shall turn over to his successor all books and papers in his possession belonging to the Society.
3. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be sole custodian of the funds of the Society, and of all property, or titles to property, real or personal, belonging to the Society, except its books. He shall assess and collect all dues and taxes voted by the Society, receive any legacies bequeathed or donations made to its funds; shall dis- burse the moneys so received and collected, on a written order signed by the President and Secretary, but not otherwise. He shall keep in a book provided for the purpose a true account of all receipts and disbursements ; shall submit the same to the inspec- tion of any member, when the request is made; shall submit in writing a report of all his receipts and disbursements for the year, and exhibit his vouchers for same at each annual meeting; shall furnish a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties, whenever the Society, by a vote, may so direct ; and shall, at the expiration of his term of office, place in the hands of his successor all books papers and other property in his possession belonging to the Society.
4. Librarian. The Librarian shall be the sole custodian of books and pamphlets belonging to the Society ; shall catalogue the same in a book kept for the purpose ; shall have the care of the entire collection of relics belonging to the Society, together with the room in which they are kept, and shall report the condition of same at each annual meeting.
ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES.
1. The President, First and Second Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer shall constitute a committee of five, to be known as the Executive Committee, who shall have in charge the general
67
interest of the Society ; shall prepare for press and have the care of all publications of the Society, unless by a vote the Society see fit, when desirable, to elect a special committee for that purpose ; may prepare and present business ; may solicit and secure, when practicable, donations to the Society's funds, or collections ; shall see that the orders of the Society are promptly carried out, and that the provisions of this Constitution are studiously maintained. The President ex-officio shall at each annual meeting make a report of the proceedings of the Society for the previous year.
2. This Society shall, at its annual meeting in January, 1877, elect by ballot three persons-one to serve for one year, one for two years, and one for three years-and one for three years at each annual meeting succeeding-who shall be called the Standing Committee on Nominations. It shall be their duty to examine the qualifications of every person proposed for membership, and to put in nomination such persons as they in their judgment think will promote the interests of the Society. Other committees may be chosen, as occasion requires, but all committees shall report their doings in writing.
ARTICLE VI.
MEMBERS.
1. The name and qualifications for membership of any person of good character, having an interest in the objects of this Society, may be proposed at any meeting thereof and referred to the Stand- ing Committee on Nominations ; and such person may, at the next regular meeting, on nomination by the said committee, be elected by a two-thirds ballot of those present. But no person shall be considered a member of this Society until he has signed the Con- stitution.
ARTICLE VII. HONORARY.
Honorary members may be proposed and elected in the same manner as prescribed for active members.
ARTICLE VIII.
DUTIES OF MEMBERS.
1. It shall be the duty of each member to bear his equal burden of the expense of the Society, and to fill any office or perform any
68
service to which he may be elected or appointed; to endeavor to seeure for it whatever he can that will add to the number or value of the Society's collection ; to bring it to the knowledge and con- sideration of persons of similar tastes and pursuits ; to propose for membership such persons as are known to be interested in its work.
2. It shall be the duty of honorary members to endeavor to secure articles for its collection, to interest themselves for its honor and prosperity, and to correspond at least once a year with the Society. They shall be entitled to all the privileges of active members, except the right to vote or hold office.
ARTICLE IX.
MEETINGS.
The annual meeting for the election of officers, and for the transaction of other business, shall be held on the first Tuesday in January of each year. The other regular meetings shall be held on the first Tuesday of each of the remaining months in the year, excepting July and August. Special meetings may be called by the President, or upon the written request of any three members of the Society. Five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
ARTICLE X.
ASSESSMENTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.
I. Tax. The Society may at any regular meeting, by a vote, assess a tax upon its members, not exceeding one dollar per capita ; but at any annual meeting the Society may assess such sum as may be needed for carrying on the affairs of the Society.
2. Life Membership. Any member who shall at any one time pay into the treasury the sum of twenty-five dollars shall be a life member, and shall thereafter be exempt from all assessments.
3. Claims against. All claims against the Society shall be approved by the member contracting the same, and paid by the Treasurer, on a written order signed by the President and Secre- tary.
69
ARTICLE XI.
FAILURES, WITHDRAWALS, EXPULSIONS.
1. Any member who for two consecutive years shall fail to pay any assessment made in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, and shall give no satisfactory reason therefor, shall cease to be a member of the Society, and the Treasurer shall notify the Secretary, who shall make record of the faet.
2. Withdrawals. Any member may withdraw from the Society by giving notice of his intention to the Secretary and paying all assessments due at the time of giving such notice, and the Seere- tary shall make record of the fact.
3. Expulsions. Any member may, from any breach of trust or malfeasance in office, or for any other cause, be expelled from the Society by a vote of two-thirds of those present at any regular meeting ; provided, that the number present shall not be less than a majority of the whole number of members. But no member shall be expelled from the Society without first having an oppor- tunity to explain his case at some regular meeting.
ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS.
Alterations or amendments to the Constitution may be made at any regular meeting, by a two-thirds vote ; provided, that a notice of the proposed change has been given in writing at some previous meeting.
ARTICLE XIII.
On the passage and adoption of the foregoing Constitution, all other articles previously used for the government of this Society are hereby repealed.
4
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS.
1875-1877.
Address of the President, 15, 19. American Antiquarian Society, 16, 20, 46, 47, 48. Annual meeting. 19, 42. Anthony, Henry B., 23. Assessment voted, 53.
B
Baldwin, Hon. John D., 31, 54, 64. Barber, Henry D., 13, 15, 19, 22, 44, 62. Bates, Joseph N., 62. Books for genealogical reference, 36, 37. Books, rare and valuable, 45, 46, 47, 48. Brinley, George, 48.
Certificate of Incorporation, 6. Closing meeting, first year, 17. Comins, Edward I., 55, 62.
Committee to copy inscriptions on ; Hale, John, 47. tombstones, 41. Committee on incorporation, 51. Committee on "Old Burial Grounds," report of, 52. Committee on nominations, 51, 62. Committee on revision of the Consti- tution 22. Committee on Publication, 3, 22. do. report of 52. Constitution submitted, 11. do. adopted, 15. Constitution, 65, 69. Coolidge, Augustus, 62. Corporation, members of, 62. Crane, Ellery B., 22. 32, 41, 45. 50. 51, 52, 53. 56, 57. 59, 60, 61, 62, 63,61
D
Davis, Dwight A., 56, 62. Dodge, Benjamin J., 62. Donations, 50, 51.
E
Executive Committee, 51. Estabrook, Charles W., 62.
F
First Annual meeting, 19. First meeting, 10. do. under the Constitution, 15.
G
Genealogy, carliest published, 39. Genealogy, paper on, by E. B. Crane, 32-41.
=
Harris, Clarendon, 54, 55, 64.
Hastings, Thomas J., 55.
Higgins, John, 47.
Hotten, John (., 36.
Honorary members, 4, 64. do. action concerning, 17.
Howe, William B., 62. Hudson, Hon. Charles, 50, 54, 64.
I
Incorporation, action concerning, 59, 62, 63. do. certificate of, 7. do. report of committee on, 57. do. first meeting under, 61.
71
3
Jillson, Hon. Clark, 23, 51, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61,62, 63, 64. Johnson, Charles R., 24, 32, 44, 51, 62.
L
Lamb, Thomas M., 62.
Lawrence, Edward R., 56, 62.
Letter of invitation to first meeting 10. Librarian's Report, 50.
Life members, 4.
Lovell Albert 1., 41, 50, 51, 52, 59,60, 63.
Maeready, William, 15, 62.
Marshall Elijah II., 56, 62.
Massachusetts Historical Society, 48.
Mather, Rev. Increase. D. D., 48.
Mayhew, Experience. M, 1., 49.
Meeting, first, 10.
do. second, 12. do. third, 13
Members, list of, 5.
Merriam, Olin L., 62.
Metealf, Isaac N., 62.
Munroe, Alexander C., 62.
N
Name of the Society, aetion eoneern- ing, 13.
O
Oath administered to Clerk and Tre- asurer, 61. Officers, 4. Officers elected, 15, 19, 51, 61, 62.
Officers, first board of, 44. O'Flynn, Richard, 10, 13, 15, 22, 23, 43, 51, 59, 60, 63. Origin of the Society, 9.
P
Paige, Rev. Lueins R., D. D, 53, 64. Paine, Nathaniel, 51. Paper by Charles R. Johnson, 24-31. do. by Ellery B. Crane. 32-41. Phelps, Henry, 56,62, President's address, 15, 19.
Prince Library, 4S. Proceedings for 1875, 9. do. for 1876, 19. do. for 1877. 43.
R
Rawson, Dr. Guillermo, 40. Report of committee on Constitution, 13. Report of committee on Scal, 55. Report of the Secretary, 42-49. Resolution of thanks to Senator All- thony, of Rhode Island, 23. Review of the formation of the Soci- ety, 43. Rice, Franklin P., 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 22, 23, 41, 43, 51, 59, 60, 62, 63.
S
Scal. action concerning, 33, 55. do. adopted, 64.
Seagrave, Daniel, 10, 12, 13, 15, 19, 22, 23, 43, 44, 49, 51, 53, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63. 64. Secretary's Report, 42-49. Sheldon, William, 62. Smith, James A., 22, 51, 53, 54, 59, 60. 61, 62, 63, 64. Smith, John G., 10, 12. 13, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 43, 44, 48. 51, 56, 62. Staples, Samuel E., 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 19, 22. 42, 43, 44, 51, 53, 56, 57, 59, 60. 61, 62, 63, 64. do. do. address of, 15, 19. Stedman. Henry F., 13, 19, 44, 62. Stone, Augustus, 23, 62. Stoughton, Hon. William. 48. St. John, Rev. Thomas E., 62. Sumner, George, 62,
T
Thomas, Benjamin F .. 51. Thompson, Herbert II., 62. Treasurer's Report, 30. Tyler, Rev. Albert, 56, 59, 60, 63. Tyler & Seagrave, 12, 15, 43. '
Vestiges of Aneient American Civil- ization, paper by Chas, R. John- son, 24-31.
No. III. +17
PROCEEDINGS
- OF THE -
Worcester Society of Antiquity
For the Year 1877;
TOGETHER WITH
Inscriptions from the Old Burial Grounds
IN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS,
FROM 1727 TO 1859:
With Biographical and Historical Lotes.
5
OCIETY
OF
WORCESTER INSTITUTED
HISTORIA I
ARCHEOLOCIAN
ANTIQ
JANUARY, 187 5.
LITERA SCRIPTA MA.IET
In
3H1
11
WORCESTER, MASS .: PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY. 1878. U. S. A. CII.
PROCEEDINGS
-OF THE -
V
Korcester Society of Antiquity
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