USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Proceedings of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, for the year 1881-1882 > Part 36
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"When the Eight Sermons were coming abroad ; the Minis- ters who Preached them waited on their Venerable Father Dr. Increase Mather, who was then in the Eighty Third year of his age, with a request that he would permit some Discourse of His on that important subject, tho' never so short an one, to be ushered in by Theirs ; which he might let fall as a Mantle to us, now God is quickly taking him away from our stead. In an- swer to their Desire, he preached the short sermon, that is now to fasten the Nails that have been in the preceding Essays, of which the subjects are here given. His text was from 1 Sam. VIII. 5 : They said unto Samuel, Thy Sons walk not in thy ways." THE circumstances mentioned, Oblige us to conclude, (say the authors of these eight sermons,) Now these are some of the LAST WORDS, to be Expected from a Faithful Servant of GOD, Finishing his Testimony, to those Ways of Early Piety, whereof GOD has made him an Eminent Instance as well as a Renowned Preacher.
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Upon the publication of these discourses, the preface to the volume was written by the revered Dr. Increase Mather, and is dated, Boston, July 4, 1721, in which he says, "I am going the Way of all the Earth, and have been many years Longing for that Blessed Hour, when I shall (I have a Good Hope thro Grace) be received into the Everlasting Habitations, into that world, which no Sin and no Temptation to Sin in it, and where CHRIST is to be seen in His Wondrous Glories. But Thou, O Lord, How Long ! As Polycarp going to dy, gave his Testimony, That he had served CHRIST more than Four-score Years, and had al- ways found a Good Master of Him, I would now also Dy bear- ing my Testimony for Him, who in my Early life mercifully Seized me for Himself, That in all my Pilgrimage I have also found a Good Master of that Glorious Lord. But what a Good Master I shall find Him, I know not now, I shall know Here- after. I shall not know till He send for me !- Which, O my GOD and. SAVIOR, I am daily waiting for :- Why is thy Chariot so long in coming? Why tarry the Wheels of thy Chariot !"
The most serious questions concerning man's spiritual wants were made prominent upon these lecture days. The most learn- ed men of the times, Cotton, Wilson, Norton, Chauncey and others, and the leading men of later periods, have helped to magnify the importance of this service. Often these days were observed as days of Thanksgiving for special favors, and again, as occasions of fasting and prayer, when God's judgments were in the land.
Whatever else may be said of our ancestors, one thing is sure, they were a devout and God-fearing people. Who can estimate the value of their self-sacrificing spirit, and the week- day gatherings for public worship? Here were the people in- structed in the duties of life, its individual character, the duties of parents and children in the home ; their obligations as citi- zens, their responsibilities in all matters of public concern. Here they learned wisdom to direct and guide them in all their affairs, and to them are we indebted for much that we enjoy to-day.
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DONATIONS.
ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, St Louis, Mo .- Transactions, vol. IV. No. 2.
ALLEN, WILLARD S., East Boston .- Proceedings N. E. Methodist Historical Society, 1881, 1882.
AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY .- Proceedings Oct. 1881, April 1882. Ti- tle Page and Index to their Proceedings, new series, Vol. I.
AMMIDOWN, HOLMES, New York City .- His first and second papers on the "History of Tariff Legislation ;" map of St. Augustine, Florida.
ARCHEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA .- Third An'l Report. First Annual Report of Committee on American School of Classical studies at Athens.
ARNOLD, JAMES N .. Hamilton, R. I .- The Narragansett Historical Register, vol I. No. I., July 1882, vol. I. No. 2.
ASTOR LIBRARY, New York City .- 33d Annual Report.
BALDWIN, CHARLES C., Cleveland, O .- His Baldwin Genealogy from 1500 to 1881, 3 pamphlets.
BALDWIN, JOHN D .- IIis Record of the descendants of John Baldwin, of Stonington Conn.
BALLOU, REV. ADIN, Milford, Mass .- His History of the Town of Milford; his Practical Christian Socialism ; his Memoir of Adin Angustus Ballou ; his Primitive Christianity and its Corruptions ; 25 traets and pamphlets of his authorship ; 2 copies of Sermon by Rev. Bernard Whitman at the Installation of Rev. Adin Ballou ; 1 vol. Friendly Letters to a Univer- salist, by B. Whitman ; 2 vols. Cooper's sermons ; 5 vols. U. S. Pub. Doc. BARTON. WILLIAM S .- The Connoisseur, by Mr Town, 4 volumes.
BATES, PHINEAS JR.,Boston .- 1 volume Documents, School Committee of Boston, 1881; 1 volume procedings of School Committee, 1881; 2 vols. Annual Report, School Committee of Boston, 1881 ; School Doe. as issued. BICKNELL, QUINCY, Hingham .- 2 pamphlets.
BLACKMER, FRANCIS T .- 1 pamphlet.
BLAKE, FRANCIS E., Boston .- Memoirs of Roger Clap; Journal of Richard Mather ; Annals of Dorchester by James Blake; Genealogieal History of the Blake Family ; The Stage Register, 1830; half century sermon, by John Cushing, A. M. -
BOYDEN, JOHN .- Chapeau of the Worcester State Guard, sword, belt, mus- ket, amunition, Confederate flag, Confederate bills, grape shot, muster roll of Capt. P. A. Kennedy's Co., 8th Reg. N. C. state troops, of the Confederate States of America, 1861 ; electoral tieket, Confederate States ; letter by A. B. R. Sprague, written at Roanoke Island, Feb. 19, 1862, an- nouncing the battle of Roanoke, and the noble conduct of the 25th Reg- iment of volunteers.
CHANDLER. GEORGE .- A pair of Metallic Tractors; His Photograph; War relics from Fort Erie ; his engraved Portrait for this publication ; India Proof Portraits of Z. & M. II. Chandler : 1 copy No. IV. of our Pub.
CHAPIN, LOUISA T .- 1 book ; address at Uxbridge, 1864, by Henry Chapin. CITY MESSENGER, Boston .- 1 vol. Records, 1660-1701 ; 1 pamphlet. CLARKE. ROBERT & Co. Cincinnati, O .- Catalogue and circulars.
CLEMENCE, HENRY M .- Fireman's Bucket, 1793, formerly belonging to Samuel Allen who was 40 years County Treasurer ; Fireman's Bag, 1791, used by Nathaniel Bemis ; 1 book.
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COOK, NORTON L .- Repairing clock ; 5 pamphlets, 2 books, files of "The Word,""The Essex Statesman," "The Commoner" and the "Investigator ;" 65 miscellaneous papers and a lot of tracts ; 11 nos. Woodhull & Claflin's weekly ; piece of the Clock Dial from old meeting house, Leicester.
CRANE, ELLERY B .- 2 prints, Cornish Corporate Seals and Masonic Arch ; lumber for shelves, binding 6 vols. register, 14 U. S. cents-some rare- 28 pamphlets, 49 catalogues, 3 books, 7 vols. "Banker and Tradesman." DANIELS, GEO. F., Oxford .- His "Huguenots in the Nipmuck Country." DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, Davenport, Iowa .- Proceedings, vol. III. part II.
DAVIS, D. A .- 1 sheet of music.
DAVIS, WILLIAM .- 1 book, 7 pamphlets.
DODGE, BENJ. J .- 7 pamphlets, 7 nos. Daily Spy.
DREW, ALLIS & Co .- 3 vols. Worcester Directory, 1880, 1881, 1882.
DREW, THOMAS, Boston .- 65 pamphlets.
ESSEX INSTITUTE, Salem, Mass .- Essex Bulletin as published.
FOREHAND, SULLIVAN .- 13 vols. U. S. Public Documents, 8 directories.
GODDARD, LUCIUS P .- Complete file of the Weely Bulletin of the Y. M. C. Association of Worcester ; 150 pragrammes, circulars cards and pamphlets. GREEN, SAMUEL A. , Boston .- 2 pamphlets relating to Groton, Mass.
HARDING, WILLIAM B .- 1 stone axe.
HALL, J. BRAINARD-Annual Report of the Chief Signal Officer to the Sec- retary of War for 1879 ; 1 volume messages and documents.
HARLOW, GEORGE H .- Continental medal, 1880.
HARRIS, CLARENDON .- Tribune almanac, 2 Farmer's, do., 1 American, do. HASTINGS, THOMAS J .- 14 pamphlets.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Cambridge, Mass .- University Bulletin as issued. HAVEN, MRS. S. F .- Memorial of Samuel Foster Haven, LL. D.
HEMENWAY, MISS ABBY M .- Clarke Papers and other selections.
HENSHAW, MISS HARRIET E., Leicester .- 1 pamphlet, collection of portraits. HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA .- Pennsylvania Magazine as issued. First two vols. and No. 13 by exchange.
HOWARD, JOSEPH JACKSON LL. D., London, Eng .- Miscellania Gencologica et Heraldica, as published.
HOWE, WILLIAM B,-Labor making book shelves.
INMAN, WM. H .- Piece of car sill, shattered by the Dualin explosion, Wor- cester June 23, 1870.
JILLSON, CLARK .- Mammoth shears used in finishing cloth ; 16 pamphlets, 18 books, 3 newspapers ; Granite Monthly in continuation 12 nos. : por- traits of Elihu Burritt : an Indian skull : invitation from the Historical Society of Baltimore : ancient specimen of pottery, probably of Huguenot origin : maps of Newark and of New York : his "Inklings of Song," and 2 copies of his address on "New Hampshire and Vermont,"
JOHNSON, CHAS. R .- Reports of the New York Stock Exchange, 1881, 3 pam- phlets.
JOSLIN, HENRY V. A., Providence, R. I .- 3 books.
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KANSAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Topeka, Kansas .- First and second biennial reports from the organization, 1875, to Jan. 1881.
KNEEDLER, H. S, Iowa City, Iowa .- By exchange, Report of the Genealog- ical Survey of the state of Iowa, in two vohines, by James Hall ; Souv- enir and almanac, 1881-2, History of College Journalism, and 7 pamphlets. KNOWLTON, T. S., West Brookfield .- 2 pamphlets.
Kxox, J. B .- Mortar, once owned by Elder William Brewster, on deposit. LARNED, MISS ELLEN D., Thompson, Ct .- Her History of Windham County. LAWRENCE, EDWARD R .- 1 Book.
LIBRARY COMMITTEE, of Philadelphia. Bulletin, nos. 8. 9.
LEE, PARDON A .- Letter box, 1 drill, 1 broadside, 1 turtle shell, 1 book, 1 English fourpenny, 1752, 1 agricultural report, 1879.
LELAND, E .J., Grafton, Mass .- Cut nails used by Levi Leland, 1806.
LINCOLN, EDWARD W .- Transactions of the Horticultural Society for1 881 : his annual report as Chairman of the Commission of Public Grounds : al- so bound volume of his Report as Chairman of the Commission of Shade Trees and Public Grounds.
LITTLEFIELD, GEO. E., Boston .-- 5 catalogues.
LOVELL, ALBERT A .- His sketch of the life of Major Ezra Beaman.
MARBLE, ALBERT P .- IIis address before the Hudson high school, June 30, 1882 : 7 copies his report of the Worcester schools, 1881 : 1 volume of the National Council of Education, 3 pamphlets,
MARSHALL, ELIJAH II .- 1 floor brush, 1 basket, 1 Indian gouge, 3 almanacs, 12 pamphlets, 1 circular, 3 advertising cards, 1 book.
MCLELLAN, J. A., Toronto, Canada .- Report of the Minister of Education for the year 1880, 1881.
MERRIFIELD, LUCIUS .- 1 portrait broadside.
MERRIMAN, REV. DANIEL .- His "Sober Views of Abstinence."
MESSINGER, DAVID S .- Magnalia Christi Americana, or the History of New England, London edition, 1702.
METCALF, JOHN G., Mendon, Mass .- His Annals of the town of Mendon.
MILLER, HENBY W .- Machine used in making paper, imported from Eng- land in 1818.
NARRAGANSETT HISTORICAL SOCIETY., Hamilton, R. I .- Their Historical Magazine as issued.
NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC GENEOLOGICAL SOCIETY .- New England Historical and Genealogical Register as published ; their Proceedings for 1882, vol. II. Memorial Biographies.
O'FLYNN, RICHARD .- His History of Father Mathew Temperance Society of Worcester, ; a collection of manuscripts, 602 sale catalogues, 2 pamphlets, 4 books, 4 serial publications.
PAINE, NATHANIEL .- Paine Family Record, No. 13, 16; do. July 1881, do. vol. II. No. 6; New England ancestry of President Garfield ; his report for the Council of the American Antiquarian Society, April, 1881 ; Pro- ceedings of the American Antiquarian Society at the presentation of the portrait of Samuel Foster Haven, LL. D. Centennial of the Massachu- setts Constitution, Tithingmen, by H. B. Adams, Village Hymns, 3 nos. Our Continent., U. S. post-office laws, 1793, 6 pamphlets.
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PECK, AUGUSTUS .- 5 engravings, framed photograph of Rev. Seth Sweetser, 1 portfolio, 2 pieces wood from ship Sparrowhawk, 9 pamphlets.
PEIRCE HENRY B .- The Public Statutes of Massachusetts.
PHELPS, HENRY .- 19 pamphlets, 16 almanacs, 189 tracts, 92 nos. Missionary Herald, A facsimile of the bullet fired by Sergeant Mason, Sept 11, 1881, at Charles J. Guiteau. producing a profile likeness of the assassin as it struck the wall of the prison.
PHELPS, MRS. HENRY .- 1 broadside.
PHILLIPS, REV. GEO. W .- 1 pamphlet, The Battle of Groton Heights ; his Decennial Sermon, January 1, 1882.
PRATT, SUMNER .- 1 English newspaper.
PRINCE, LUCIEN .- A horse shoe, 7 x 9 inches, taken from a horse from the Pineries of Northern Wisconsin. 31 books, 39 pamphlets, 17 copies Laws and Resolves, Mass., 3 autograph letters.
PUTNAM & DAVIS .- 26 catalogues, 44 pamphlets, 60 circulars and papers : 47 serial publications, 10 broadsides and cards : 2 Church almanacs, 1 volume Publisher's Trade List, portion of an Alligator's Hide.
RAYMOND, TILLY .- Loek taken from the old Court House built in 1801, at the time of its removal and enlargement in 1857.
RAYMORE, HENRY E .- 3 colored Lithographs of the Troubadours.
RICE, FRANKLIN P .- 27 pamphlets, 6 books, 14 magazines, 4 catalogues, 2 almanacs, 6 portrait broadsides, file of the Republie : sample of powder used at the bombardment of Charlestown, S. C. 1864 : newspaper cuttings, binding Suffolk Deeds, his "Sketches of the Presidents of the United States, from Washington to Arthur," and a copy of the story of Peter Rugg : a collection of newspapers and broadsides.
RICE, WILLIAM W .- 9 volumes U. S. Publie Documents.
RICE, WILLIAM W., Springfield Mass,-Volume Proceedings of Connecticut Valley Historical Society, 1876-1881.
ROE, ALFRED S .- 16 magazines, 13 nos. Massachusetts' Teacher, 3 news- papers, 81 sermons and papers of Rev. Levi Pillsbury, who graduated at Dartmouth College in 1798: 3 Church Manuals, framed Memorial of President Harrison, a collection of papers, the Nation, and Congressional Record : 4 catalogues, 1 programme.
SALISBURY, STEPHEN JR .- 11 nos. North American Review.
SEAGRAVE, DANIEL .- Piece of car wheel from the Dualin explosion in Wor- ecster.
SHELDON, GEORGE, Deerfield, Mass .- 1 paper.
SHUMWAY HENRY L .- 85 pamphlets, 7 newspapers and newspaper cuttings, 5 copies Miniature Evening Gazette, numerous cireulars, and 10 numbers Magazine of American History.
SMITH, HENRY M. 43 copies his Memorial of Hon. Chas. Hudson, 12 Pam- phlets, 1 book, 1 broadside, circular and paper. History of the Normal School at Bridgewater.
SMITH, JAMES A .- 1 book ; framed photograph of the old Guard House, Rut- land, Mass.
SMITH. JOHN G. Manuscript of particular or sub-division of lands, lots, and buildings, within the town of Boylston, assessment District No. 17. in the 7th Division, state of Mass., owned or occupied the first day of October,
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1798. Manuscript records of the Peace Society of Windham County, Conn. SMITH, WILLIAM A .- 6 copies reports Worcester Co. Mechanics' Association. STEARNS, CASSIUS C .- IIis Mass in D, Mass in A; his Tantum Ergo and 18 musical compositions of which he is the composer.
STAPLES, HAMILTON B .- His Origin of the names of the States of the Union. STAPLES, SAMUEL E .- 3 books, 36 pamphlets, 8 almanacs, 1 broadside, 5 newspapers, 8 nos. Boatswain's Whistle, proceedings at the inauguration of Liberia College, at Monrovia, January 23, 1862.
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Wisconsin .- 88th annual report.
STODDARD, ELIJAH B .- His Inaugural Address as Mayor of Worcester, 1882. 1 vohime, report on the pollution of Blackstone River.
STONE, AUGUSTUS .- 3 magazines, 5 pamphlets, 2 catalogues, 4 papers ; stat- utes of the United States, third session 46th Congress.
SULLIVAN BROS. & LIEBIE .- 7 catalogues.
SUMNER. GEORGE .- 5 bound volumes, "Living Age ;" 1 do. life of John B. Gough, 1 do. Horace Greeley ; life and labors of Elihu Burritt; 4 steel portraits of Presidential Candidates, 1876, and one wood portrait of Chas. Sumner ; 75 pamphlets, 1 manuscript, 1 thanksgiving proclamation, 10 broadsides, 3 directories, 6 Garfield memorial papers, a gimlet-pointed screw used in making a piece of furniture 100 years old; framed group of portraits from Ambrotypes taken in 1854 ; large collection of the Daily Spy and Evening Gazette ; 4 war maps.
THAYER & WASHBURN .- Nos. 1 & 2 of the Owlet.
THOMPSON, EBEN F .- 1 almanac, 1 pamphlet, history of first church, Charles- town ; centennial cards and souvenirs, 1 newspaper, 3 books, 1 foot stove, collection of engravings.
THOMPSON, EDWARD H .- 1 no. Popular Science Monthly.
TILLINGIIAST, C. B., Boston .- Plymouth Colony Records in 12 volumes 4to. TITUS, ANSON JR .- His "Sabin Family of America."
TOWNE, ENOCH H .- 1 pamphlet, 1 book.
TOWNLEY, JOSEPH B .- 1 mounted engraving.
TUCKER, EPHRIAM .- Muster Roll Lieut. Durgin's company (R) of the tenth Reigment Veteran reserve corps, on duty at the trial of the conspirators of the Lincoln assassination ; Chinese Coin.
TYLER & SEAGTAVE,-2 pamphlets ; voting lists, Worcester, 1867. Specl- mens of printing; 10 broadsides; genealogical papers relating to the Batchellor family : 15 papers, collection of posters and circulars.
TYLER, ALBERT .- Files of the Woonsocket Daily Patriot, 1 Bickerstaff almanac, 1 pewter spoon from the family mould of Moses Cooper of Provi- dence, R. I .: his "Battle of Bennington :" volume II. III. & IV. of the Polyanthus : miniature edition of the History of the Revolution, 4 alma- nacs, 1 pampelet containing his report as School Committee of Oxford : 1 pamphlet, The Law of Kindness, by Elihu Burritt : invitation cards, 1 pamphlet, 24 Robert B. Thomas almanacs.
TYLER, NEWELL .- IIis Genealogy of the Tyler, Taft, Wood, Bates and Hill families, ancestors of Newell Tyler and wife.
WAITES, ALFRED,-Framed oil painting af Lake Quinsigamond, by Triscott, framed steel engraving.
WALL, CALRB A .- 1 programme.
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WESBY, HERBERT .- 1 book, 12 pamphlets, " papers and circulars, I broadside. WESBY, EDWARD .- 3 pamphlets.
WESRY, J. S. & Sox .- Catalogue of IIyde Park Public library, list of patents July to December, ISSO : 61 pamphlets, 8 papers, 38 nos. Christian Cyno- sure, 2 portfolios and 2 book covers.
WESTERN RESERVE AND NORTHERN OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Cleveland () .- Proceedings 14th annual meeting, May 7, 1882.
WHITTEMORE, ABIGAIL,-Scott's Bible, with marginal notes, five volumes. WILDER, HARVEY B .- Two sermons delivered before the Ancient and Ilon- orable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER FIVE CENT SAVINGS BANK .- I pamphlet.
VALE COLLEGE .- 5 college pamphlets.
Officers for the ensuing year were elected. Mr. Samuel E. Staples, who was elected Librarian, resig- ned at the January meeting, 1883, and Mr. Thomas A. Dickinson was elected to fill the vacancy. The officers for 1883 are as follows:
President: Ellery B. Crane. Ist. Vice President : Albert Tolman: 2d Vice President : George Sumner. Secretary: Henry L. Shumway. Treasurer: Henry F. Stedman. Librarian: Thomas A. Dickinson. Committee on Nominations for three years: William H. Bartlett.
The Secretary and Treasurer were sworn to the proper discharge of their duties by Clark Jillson Esq.
It was voted that the annual assessment for 1883 should be $3,00 per member.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS.
On announcing the names of the members assign- ed to the Department of Military History, at the regular meeting in July, President Crane made the following appropriate remarks:
Members of The Worcester Society of Antiquity.
Gentlemen :- In accordance with the instructions given me by a vote at our last regular meeting, I hereby institute a new department of work, to be known and styled "Military History."
On our roll of membership we have the names of many per- sons who were prominent and active in the last great struggle to perpetuate the life of our National Government. It was a desperate conflict, one ever to be memorable in the annals of our state and nation : and as it is the province of this Society to collect and perpetuate all matters of historical interest, it occurs to me that one of the most desirable and commendable things we can do is to give a portion of our time to this special branch of history, particularly as we can now have the help of so many individuals who can speak and write from personal knowledge, and also for the reason that while we accumulate records re- lating to this conflict, we shall amass items of great local interest, inasmuch as it will embrace an account of some of the deeds and sacrifices of citizens of the City of Worcester and Worcester County.
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REPORT ON ARCILÆOLOGY AND GENERAL IHISTORY.
T HE past year has witnessed great activity in the field of archæological research. If space permitted it would be a pleasant task to chronicle the results of the labors of eminent scholars and scientists in different parts of the world. Some- thing of this sort has been attempted in each of the Reports of this Department heretofore, but never with sufficient complete- ness of detail to be satisfactory. Much more would this be true of any effort to condense into the form of a report the accumu- lated discoveries of the last twelve months. Such a work, how- ever briefly it might be written, would exceed the limits of a large volume. It therefore seems obvious that a departure from former custom is not only expedient but necessary.
If our Society could offer any example of actual work of its own in the line of this department the record of that work would have an important place in this report, but unfortunately such is not the case. There seems, however, to be no good reason for any lack of this sort upon our part. We have men enough who are interested in the subject, and whose attainments would justify large expectations of them ; we have opportunities for investigation in our immediate vicinity, and those opportunities can be taken advantage of with comparatively little expense and certainly with no danger. To be sure we have not the rich fields of research which exist in various parts of the old world or which are to be found elsewhere on this continent. We have nothing like the gigantic monuments of Egypt, the marbles of Greece and Rome, or the huge edifices of Mexico and Central America, but we have scattered broadcast before us the traces of an ancient race, of whose origin there is no history, and whose remains afford the best chance of studying the character of a people in the stone age of any that exist.
We do not know nearly all that is to be known of the Mohe- gans, Narragansetts, Pequods, Wampanoags and other New England tribes, though our ancestors first made their acquain- tance almost three centuries ago. A careful study of Indian hieroglyphics might give us the key to the Dighton rock inscrip- tions ; an exhaustive investigation of aboriginal traditions would
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perhaps solve the mystery of the old Newport tower. These are but hints at the possibilities attendant upon an awakened interest in the archæology of our own country, It is to be hoped that the suggestions here offered will not be without effect in securing for the subject that attention from our members which it so justly merits.
CHARLES R. JOHNSON, Chairman.
REPORT ON LOCAL IHISTORY AND GENEALOGY.
T HE average American is so much engrossed in the making of history, that he can not, or will not take the time to place it on record. While we are engaged in our counting rooms, factories, stores or workshops, absorbed with the cares, anxieties and perplexities that come with each recurring day, we little realize all that is going on outside in the great onward march of progress. The panorama of life steadily moves on, while we float listlessly upon the surface of the mighty current. We heed not the ordinary changes that take place ; not until some heavy stroke falls at our very feet do we stop to look up, and even then it is but for a moment. The mighty flood sweeps on, undermining and carrying away cherished and familiar land- marks that were our delight in boyhood and our pride in man- hood ; sires and grandsires,-they too go down and are soon forgotten. But lest all should be lost in oblivion the fates have permitted a certain class of persons in the community, weak- minded perhaps, but as they are largely in the minority there is no cause of fear for the race, call then by what name you may, newsmongers, chroniclers, literary curiosity seekers, historical investigators, garret rummagers, antiquarians, or historiograph- ers, who are doing the country noble service. Their hearts are in their work, they are not easily disturbed from following the bent of their minds, and their efforts will be more and more appreciated as time rolls on. To the class of persons just re- ferred to we perhaps may claim relationship, and as a duty as well as a pleasure let us continue active in the work before us.
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The year 1882 has been no exception in the rapid growth and prosperity of Worcester. Perhaps there has been no season when more has been done to add beauty, convenience, and wealth to our prosperous city. Many of the old streets have been ex- tended, straightened, widened and re-graded ; new shops have been ereeted and old ones enlarged, while numerous dwelling houses have sprung into being to accommodate the large increase of population. But of this we can only speak in a general way, for we must pass on to review the long list of laborers who in their several spheres have done what they could to help build up and enrich our city and her surroundings.
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