USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Proceedings of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, 1877, Volume I-5 > Part 7
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President. Secretary." [L. S.]
In consequence of the unusual expenditure of money in fitting up and furnishing our room and the publication of certain docu- ments, we recommend that no further action be taken at present, in case this report is adopted, and that the whole matter of en- graving and printing Certificates be referred to the Executive Committee to take such action therein as they may deem proper, at such time as the Society may direct.
Respectfully submitted, CLARK JILLSON.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE.
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The following letters were read by the Secretary :
HOPEDALE, MASS., Oct. 18, 1877. DANIEL SEAGRAVE, ESQ.,
Dear Sir :- I received yesterday your communication of the 15th inst., officially informing me that at the last meeting of " The Worcester Society of Antiquity," I was unanimously elected an Honorary Member of said Society. I accept the honor and privi- leges thus kindly conferred on me with grateful pleasure, and will endeavor to manifest my appreciation thereof by such contribution of books to the Society's library and others of incidental service as may be in my humble power. When possibly convenient, I shall gladly attend the Society's monthly meetings. Present my cordial thanks to the Society, and accept for yourself assurance of my high fraternal esteem.
Respectfully yours, ADIN BALLOU.
LANCASTER, MASS., October 19, 1877.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE, ESQ.,
DEAR SIR :- I have the honor to acknowledge your note, in- forming me of my election as an Honorary Member of " The Wor- cester Society of Antiquity."
Please convey to the Society my grateful appreciation of the honor, with the assurance that I shall be happy to contribute, so far as possible, to the success of the object they have in view.
Respectfully yours, A. P. MARVIN.
MENDON, Oct. 20, 1877.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE, EsQ.,
Sec. Wor. Soc. of Antiquity,
DEAR SIR :- Your favor of Oct. 15th inst., informing me of my election as an Honorary Member of " The Worcester Society of Antiquity." was duly received. Being in accord with those who. while mindful of the duties of the present, do not negleet to search for lessons of wisdom from the records of the past, I cor- dially accept the proffered honor of a membership of your Society.
Respectfully yours, JOIIN G. METCALF.
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METROPOLITAN HOTEL, ? WASHINGTON, D. C., Oct. 20th. 1877. 5
DANIEL SEAGRAVE, ESQ.,
Secretary of The Worcester Society of Antiquity.
MY DEAR SIR :- I have the honor of acknowledging the re- receipt of your note of the 15th instant, informing me of my election as an Honorary Member of the Society which you represent, as its Secretary.
Please represent to your associates my high appreciation of the honor conferred, and signify to them my acceptance.
For many years I have felt an ardent interest in the noble ob- ject of your Society, and shall be glad, so far as occasion may afford, to aid in advancing its interest in the cause of preserving that which is of worth and value in the line of antiquity. *
Respectfully, HOLMES AMMIDOWN.
The following communication from the New Hamp- shire Antiquarian Society was also read :
CONTOOCOOK, N. H., October 17, 1877.
At a meeting of the New Hampshire Antiquarian Society, on the 16th of October, 1877, the following, offered by the Rev. Silas Ketchum, President of the Society, was unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That the congratulations of this Society are hereby tendered to " The Worcester Society of Antiquity," on its auspi- cious beginning, and encouraging prospect of prosperity and use- fulness. That we recognize with pleasure, in its Constitution and Proceedings, a plan and purpose similar to our own. That we ex- tend to the said Society " the right hand of fellowship," and as- surances of our cordial regard, and of our desire that the two Societies maintain the most fraternal relations, and be mutually helpful to each other. That in evidence of our sincerity, it is hereby ordered, that copies of all works issued, or hereafter to be issued, by this Society, be furnished to "The Worcester Society of Antiquity," free of cost. That this resolution be entered upon our Records, and an attested copy thereof be forwarded, by the Recording Secretary, to the Hon. Clark Jillson, an Honorary
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Member of this Society, and one of the Vice Presidents of the said " Worcester Society of Antiquity," to be by him presented in our name.
A true copy of Record,-Attest :
CHIARLES GOULD, Recording Secretary of the New Hampshire Antiquarian Society.
The Secretary was authorized, by vote, to com- municate to the New Hampshire Antiquarian Society our appreciation of their good wishes ; and he was also directed to forward to them all publications of this Society, free of cost.
On motion of Mr. Shumway, it was voted, that with the beginning of the new year, there be ap- pointed a Committee on Biography, whose duty it should be to procure from every member of the Society a Biographical Sketch of himself, with such genealogical records as may be accessible, to be written on uniform paper in proper form for bind- ing, the same to be preserved in the archives of the Society.
The Society voted to open the room on Tuesday evening of each week for the convenience of the members.
On motion of Mr. Merriam, the Executive Commit- tee was authorised to issue written Certificates of Membership to such members as apply for the same.
At the meeting held Dec. 4th, 1877, a letter was read by the Secretary, from Elihu Burritt, Esq., in acknowledgement of his election to Honorary mem- bership, as follows :
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27
NEW BRITAIN, CONN., NOV. 20. '77.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE, EsQ.,
Secretary of The Worcester Society of Antiquity.
DEAR SIR :- I have received your favor of the 10th inst., and read with great interest the Report of your admirable Society, and would heartily congratulate you for what it has already achieved. I feel all the more interest in your programme because it does not propose any unfriendly or ambitious rivalry with the venerable Antiquarian Society, to which I shall always feel more indebted than to any other institution in America. Truly your new Society has made a very successful and auspicious beginning in the collection of such a large number of volumes of such rare antiquity and value, and I would congratulate you on the acquisi- tion of such precious treasures, which must grow dearer to the literary world from year to year. I feel a deep interest in your efforts to gather up the scattered threads of local history in the several towns of Worcester County ere they are lost, so that coming generations may know and appreciate what the noble heart of the Commonwealth has been to Massachusetts and to the nation at large; and that they may also know what each con- stitnent town has contributed to the history of the county.
I beg to convey through you to the Society you represent my sineere thanks for the honor of being enrolled among its honorary members. Although I may not be able to render any practical service as such a member, I shall be equally pleased to have my name associated with the admirable objects you have in view.
Truly yours, ELIHU BURRITT.
On motion of Mr. Lamb, a committee, consisting of himself, H. L. Shumway and Franklin P. Rice, was appointed by nomination to report a list of officers, to be voted for by the Society, for the year 1878.
The committee to whom was referred the matter of reporting Amendments to the Constitution, report- ed the result of their deliberations, and the report
25
was accepted and placed on file for action at a future meeting.
Rev. Albert Tyler then read a paper which he had written, giving a truthful and interesting account of the Battle of Bennington, and of the Celebration of its Hundredth Anniversary, on the 16th day of last August. He also enumerated a list of Ancient Relies exhibited on that occasion, with appropriate his- torical notes, all of which was listened to with deep interest. The Society unanimously voted its thanks for the valuable paper.
The paper read by Mr. Crane at the meeting in May, was received by the Society in a similar man- ner.
In closing the record of our labors during the past year, we find that our membership has been largely increased, and that many influential persons, not yet members, are becoming deeply interested in the le- gitimate work of this society.
The publications we have issued have been favora- bly received by kindred societies, and sought for by many interested in similar enterprises.
We have every reason to look forward with hope, believing that our efforts will be crowned with success, so long as the several departments of our institution are properly conducted.
7
PROCEEDINGS
FOR 1878.
The Annual Meeting was held January 1st, 1878, with a large number of members in attendance.
The following letter from William S. Barton, Esq., was read by the Secretary.
WORCESTER, MASS., Dec. 13, 1877. DANIEL SEAGRAVE, EsQ.
Dear Sir : I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 11th inst., informing me that at a recent meeting of "The Worcester Society of Antiquity." I was unani- mously elected to Honorary Membership in your Society. Per- mit me to express to you, and through you to the members of your enterprising Society, my deep sense of the honor you have conferred upon me, and to add that it will give me great pleasure to accept the membership so cordially tendered to me.
Yours very respectfully, WM. S. BARTON.
The President, as chairman of the Executive Com- mittee, made the following Report, which was accept- ed and placed on file :
ANNUAL REPORT OF PRESIDENT.
Gentlemen of The Worcester Society of Antiquity:
In accordance with the first section of the fifth article of our Constitution, it becomes my duty to make a report at this meeting of the proceedings of the Society for the past year. 'For the first two months and until March 6th, when the Society was
.
reorganized under the Laws of the Commonwealth, the transac- tions have been printed in the first number of our Proceedings, though the reports of the several officers embraced only our doings till January 2nd, 1877. The reports now to be presented will eover the entire year.
The growth and progress made by this Society during the twelve months past have been quite remarkable, both in the increase of our numbers and the work accomplished. Starting three years ago with four members, closing the first year with twelve or thir- teen, and the second with twenty-seven active and three honorary members, we now have enrolled at the close of the third year, fifty five active (two of whom have been constituted life members.) and fifteen honorary members. Of this number one has died. Harvey 1) Jillson, M. D. of Fitchburg, and three members have withdrawn. But more noticeable still, is the amount of work that has been done and the progress made during the year now brought to a close. In the report of the Secretary made at the last annual meeting oceurs the following sentence : " 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 commo- dious place for holding their meetings, and a good library, with all its useful appendages, etc., for their use and enjoyment." This hope has been so far realized as to secure for our use these pleas- ant and convenient apartments at a reasonable rent, the same hav- ing been furnished in part by assessments that have been paid, and the rest by the voluntary contributions of members. The nu- eleus of a library has been established ; the donations by members and others as will appear by the report of the Librarian, hav- ing been quite generous, both as to quantity and value of works that have been presented.
I must not omit to mention in this connection. the gift to the Soci- ety by Hon. Clark Jillson, of a very valuable and ancient copy of Cicero's Orations, a large quarto, printed in the year 1472. This is believed to be one of the oldest books to be found in any public library in this country, and is in an excellent state of preserva- tion. I desire also to notice, at the risk of trespassing upon ground properly belonging to the Librarian, the valuable dona- tion of the first fourteen volumes of the New England Historical
23
and Genealogical Register, by William S. Barton, Esq., and also valuable works from Mr. E. B. Crane. Rev. Lucius R. Paige, D. D., Hon. Charles Hudson, Hon. Holmes Ammidown, and Clar- endon Harris, Esq., besides numerous other works presented to the Society, which will appear in the list of donations named in the annual report of the Librarian.
Much credit is dne to the Special Committee, E. B. Crane, A. A. Lovell, and F. P. Rice, for their faithful and persevering labors in copying.the Inscriptions upon the gravestones of the Mechanic Street Burial Ground, which, with those of the Old Common, fur- nished by W. S. Barton, Esq., they have with much care prepared for the press, and in many cases have added historical notes, re- quiring careful and thorough research, which are of great value. We are also indebted to the same committee for copying the In- scriptions in Burial Grounds at Shrewsbury, Mendon, and Lan- caster. Mr. Richard O'Flynn has copied the inscriptions in the Catholic Cemetery at Tatnuck, and we are indebted to Mr. E. II. Marshall for similar work at Lunenburg, to Mr. James A. Smith at Rutland, and to Mr. T. S. Knowlton, W. Brookfield. We now print only the first two named, but it is hoped that at some future . time the Society may print the others, and continue their work till most, if not all of the inscriptions of the Old Grounds of the County shall have been printed, and thus save to posterity these valuable records, so necessary in writing up the family histories which are now justly regarded as of much importance.
The meetings of the Society have been regularly held and well attended, and much interest has been manifested in the objects for which we are organized. At the February meeting, Hon. Clark Jillson read a very interesting biographical paper upon the late John F. Pond ; and at the meeting in May, Mr. Crane read some instructive " Memoranda concerning recent Archæological research and Thoughts suggested by Relics of Antiquity." The latter was repeated at a special meeting in Jnue at the request of the Society. At the regular meeting in June a brief paper upon " Normal Schools and their Origin " was read by the writer of this report, in which was shown that the credit of first establishing a Normal School in this country belongs to the late Rev. Samuel Read ITall, LL. D. who died the 24th of June last, at Brown-
29
ington, Vermont. Small editions of Mr. Jillson's paper and that upon Normal Schools, have been published by. the writers. At the December meeting, a very interesting and graphic account of the Battle of Bennington, the Centennial Anniversary of the same, and a list of the many relies exhibited on that occasion, was read by Rev. Albert Tyler. It is hoped that the papers of Mr. Crane and Mr. Tyler may be printed for the benefit of our members, as well as for a more general reading.
The additions by members to their private collections during the year, as appears by their monthly reports, have been quite large, showing a worthy zeal in so good an object.
Since October first, when we took possession of these apartments the attendance upon the meetings has been larger than before, and members have also manifested their interest by frequent donations to the Society. The room has been open each Tuesday evening, a custom worthy to be observed in the future, and considerable num- bers have availed themselves of the privilege of coming here, eith- er for the use of the library, or to pass a pleasant hour with those they might meet here.
A number of letters have been received, which will appear in our Proceedings when published, complimenting the Society upon its auspicious beginning and expressive of deep interest in the objects of our association.
With the satisfactory record made by this organization during its brief existence, we have great hope for its usefulness in the fu- ture. The only embarrassment we now encounter is one common to all new, unendowed institutions, and which can only be over- come by the united and persistent efforts of all our members. No great work, charitable or religious, or business of any kind, can be made entirely successful without ample means for its prosecution. Thus far we have done our work without making very heavy de- mands upon our members, but the time has now come, when pro- vision must be made for the rent of this room and for the work of publication which the Society has undertaken. With the numbers that we now have, the burden will not be heavy if each one will cheerfully bear his part, and do with his might what in him lies for the prosperity of this institution.
I have taken some pains to ascertain what sums are paid by members of similar bodies in other places, and submit the following statement, compiled from the valuable Report on Public Libra- ries in the United States, by John Eaton, Commissioner of Ed- ucation.
[For Table see next page.]
By the above it appears that in-
3 Societies of the 26 named, the Admission fee is $10.00
13
66 66
66
.. .. 5.00
3
66 66
66
66
66 3.00
13 66
require an Annual Payment of 5.00
1
66 66 6.00 ..
1
66
4.00
5
66
66
3.00
Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford. This Society has the right of permanent occupancy of a wing of the Wadsworth Athe- næum, has a permanent fund of $9,000, the income from which, and from the annual dues of members, amounts to about $1,500 annually.
Georgia Historical Society. Its annual income is $5000, derived from rents and dues of members. The Society's building is valued at $50,000, and it owns another valued at $12,000, from which rent is received.
Chicago Historical Society. IIas a special fund of $27,000 and a general fund of $17,000.
Iowa Historical Society. Has a grant from the State of $500 annually.
Maine Historical Society. Permanent fund of $10,000.
Maryland Historical Society. Has a permanent fund of $20 .- 000. Its yearly income is $2,500-the sum of $1500 from invest- ments and $1000 from membership dues.
New England Historic, Genealogical Society. Owns its building costing $40,000. The permanent fund is $76,000, of which the the sum of $50,000 is invested in the building.
Essex Institute. Owns a small building and has invested funds amounting to $10,000.
TABULAR STATEMENT.
NAME OF SOCIETY.
Organ- ized.
Members.
Admittance Fee.
Annual Payment.
Life Membership.
Maine Historical Society, Brunswick,.
1822
100
$10.00
New Hampshire Historical Society, Concord,
1822
144
5.00
$3.00
Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence
1822
150
5.00
3.00
New Jersey Historical Society, Newark.
1845
519
5.00
3.00
Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford,
1825
3.00
2.00
Buffalo Historical Society, Buffalo,
1862
716
5.00
New Haven Colony Historical Society, New Haven, Ct.,
1862
42
5.00
$50.00
Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, ...
1866
200
5.00
5.00
50.00
Genealogical and Biographical Society, New York,
1869
250
10,00
5.00
50.00*
New London Co. Historical Society, New London, Ct.
1870
250
1.00
20.001
Nashua Historical Society, Nashua, N. H.,
1870
1873
34
4.00
1875
1845
1157
5,00
3 00
30.00
1848
480
3.00
Albany Institute, Albany, N. Y
1824
204
5.00
Long Island Historical Society, Brooklyn, N. Y.
1863
1100
5.00
5.00
50.00
American Ethuological Society, N. Y.,
1842
100
5.00
5.00
Territorial Pioneers of California, San Francisco.
1874
5.00
6.00
75.00
*Till $50 and interest paid.
Georgia Historical Society, Savannah
1839
400
5.00
5.00
Iowa Historical Soticty, Iowa City.
1857
350
3.00
1.00+
1One meeting
Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore ..
1844
200
5.00
a year.
Am. Numismatic and AArcheological Society, N. Y.
1857
100
5.00
5.00
30.00
Historical and Philosophic Society, Cincinnati,
1831
83
10.00
10.00
100.00
American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, Pa.
1743
482
5.00
Friends' Historical Society, Philadelphia, Pa.,
1873
41
5.00
5.00
50.00
1
31
New Hampshire Antiquarian Society, Contoocook.
2.00į
Historical and Scientific Soc. of Mason Co., Ky. N. E. Historic, Genealogical Society, Boston, Essex Institute, Salem, Mass ..
3.00
.
#Quarterly meetings, no publications.
1
32
New Hampshire Historical Society. Owns a building valued at $5000, and has a permanent fund of about $2000.
New Jersey Historical Society. Permanent fund of $12,000.
Long Island Historical Society. Library fund $54,000, and a yearly income of $10,000 from investments and dues of members.
Buffalo Historical Society. Permanent fund of about $6,000.
American Numismatic and Archeological Society. Permanent fund of about $300.
Historical and Philosophic Society. Has permanent fund of about $9000.
American Philosophical Society. Owns a building valued from $80,000 to $120,000.
Historical Society, Penn. Permanent fund of $50,000.
Rhode Island Historical Society. Owns building and grounds valued at $30,000, and a permanent fund of $500.
The other societies named assess smaller sums, but their advan- tages are less, as in some cases only one meeting is held per annum and there are no publications. The advantages of this Society are equal to many others and superior to some; and it is hoped that all the members will fully appreciate the benefits of their membership, and cheerfully pay into the treasury such amount as may be found necessary to defray the expenses of the associa- tion.
It is believed that the work of the Society for the coming year may be quite as useful as the preceding, for, by the experience already gained, we are prepared to enter upon our labors with greater diligence and with a better understanding of our duties, so that with the new system of Departments of Work, we may expect to accomplish much more than heretofore. The assign- ment of each member to one or more of these Departments, is calculated to draw out and develop the best energies of our mem- bership, and produce results that will be ereditable alike to the Society and the members themselves. It is earnestly desired that all will heartily unite in the work allotted them, and that through the blessing of a gracious Providence all may be spared for great- er usefulness in the future, and that we ourselves shall be im-
33
proved, and the world around us made better by our lives of faithful service.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL E. STAPLES.
Worcester, January 1, 1878.
The Treasurer then submitted his Report as fol- lows, which was accepted :
TREASURER'S REPORT.
To the Officers and Members of
The Worcester Society of Antiquity.
GENTLEMEN :- In conformity with the requirements of your By-Laws, I have the honor to submit herewith my Second Annu- al Report. The Receipts and Expenditures of the Society from January Ist, 1877 to January 1st, 1878, are as follows :
1877. DR. $1 00
Jan. 2. Cash balance from previous account,
Cash contribution from Members, 4 85
" 16. Cash from Clark Jillson, Life Membership, 25 00
Cash from Ellery B. Crane, Life Membership, 25 00
June 16. Cash from Members as per Assessment No. 1, 81 00
Dec. 31. Cash from Members as per Assesment No. 2,
Jan. 1, '78. Cash, temporary loan of Treasurer,
55 02
$229 87
1877.
CR.
$77 70
Paid for printing Proceedings, Postals, &c.,
126 75
66
Paid expense of Seal and electrotype,
11 90
Paid for obtaining Charter,
5 00
Paid for Record Book, &c.,
2 05
Paid for Sundries,
6 47
- -$229 87
All of which is respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. SMITH, Treasurer.
Worcester, Mass., Jan. 1st, 1878.
The Librarian's Report was received and placed on file.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
The Librarian begs leave to report the condition of the Library at the close of the third year of its existence. The Society has purchased forty copies of the Centennial Proceedings on the 4th
5
Paid for furnishing room and rent,
34
of July, 1876, at Worcester ; and there have been received by do- nation, 362 volumes of books, 2027 pamphlets, 1212 newspapers, 159 catalogues, together with a large number of circulars, pro- grammes, prints, views, engravings and portraits.
The Society has received three elegant framed portraits from three members of the Society, Ellery B. Crane, Franklin P. Rice, and Edward I Comins ; but the most important and valuable gift is from IIon. Clark Jillson, the same being a fine copy of Cicero's Orations, in Latin, printed in 1472, which is one of the oldest books in this country.
I hereto append a detailed account of the donations received.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN G. SMITH, Librarian.
Worcester, Jan. 1, 1878.
DONATIONS,
AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY .- Proceedings No. 69.
AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, New York City .- Bulletin, No. 4, Session of 1876-7.
AMMIDOWN, HON. HOLMES, New York City .- His Historical Collections, 2 vols. Also, 2 pamphlets.
ASTOR LIBRARY, New York City .- Its 28th Annual Report.
BARTLETT, THOMAS E .- 15 Pamphlets and Circulars; 4 Miscellaneous Papers ; 30 Nos. Harpers' Weekly ; 4 Nos. Harpers' Bazar.
BARTON, WILLIAM S .- The first 14 volumes of the New England Histor- ical and Genealogical Register, in cases, unbound.
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