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P H O C E E DINGS
— OK rm: —
MoprpstFr ^oriftg of j^ntiquifg,
FIIOM ir.S INtfTITUriDN JAN. 24, 1875, TO TIIK
KK-OKiiAMZATluN t NUKK THK UKNRHAL I^W.S OK TIIK COMMi i\ U K.M Til
tuwkhikk with tmk
CONS T I T U T 1 () \ A N 1 ) i] Y- L A VV S
( EKTIFICATE OF INCOKPOKATJON.
WORCESTER, MASS.:
PTBUSIIED BY THE SOCIETY
1S77.
U. S. A. C I.
PROCEEDINGS
MorrFstFF HoriFtg of jStnHqnltg,
KROM ITS INSTITUTION JAN. 24, 1875, TO THE
KK-OK<iAN17,ATION UNDER TUE GENERAL LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH,
3s/£ a,rclv 3tiL, IS'T'T';
TUGKTHKK WITII TlIK
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
( ERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
WORCESTER, MASS.:
ri'BLISHED BY THE SOCIETY
1877,
U. S. A. C I.
^A^ . ALi-t
Tyler &. Seagrave, Printers,
442 Main Street.
(Committee oit ^ublitktion.
SAMUEL E. STAPLES.
CLARK JILLSON.
ELLERY B. CRANE.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE.
JAMES A. SMITH.
uv^ h^i 1877>
PRESIDENT,
SAMUEL E. STAPLES.
VICE-PRESIDENTS,
CLARK JILLSON. ELLERY B. CRANE.
SECRETARY,
DANIEL SEAGRAVE.
TREASURER.
JAMES A. SMITH.
LIBRARIAN,
JOHN G. SMITH.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
SAMUEL E. STAPLES, CLARK JILLSON,
ELLERY B. CRANE, DANIEL SEAGRAVE,
JAMES A. SMITH.
STANDING COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS,
ALBERT A. LOVELL, for 1 year.
FRANKLIN P. RICE, for 2 years.
CHARLES R. JOHNSON, for 3 years.
Hon. Clark Jillson, " . Worcester.
Ellery Bicknell Crane, Esq., Worcester.
Uev. Lucius Robinson Paige, D. D., . . . Cambridgeport, Mass.
Clarendon Harris, Esq., Worcester, Mass.
Hon. Charles Hudson, Lexington, Mass.
lion. JohS Dennison Baldwin, A. M., . . . Worcester, Maes.
CDcml.
ci;$
Samuel Em as Staplkp,
Daniel Seagkave,
FUANKLIN riEIJCE RiCE,
Joiix Geoiuik Smith,
IvIClIAKD OTlVNN, .
Rev. Albert Tyleh,
ITexry Davis Bahheu,
IIenky FiiANcis Stkdma
William Mackeady,
Omx Lank Mkuuiam,
IIeiuiekt IIenky Tiiomtson, .
Elijah IIarrixotox Marshall,
William Augustus Sheldon,
WiLHAM Blaine Howe,
Charles Renssalaer JonNsoif, A. 13.
James Andrew Smith, Esq., .
Augustus Stone,
Hon. Clakk Jillson,
Edward Richadson Lawrence,
Henry Phelps,
Albert Alfonso Lovell, Esq.,
Ellery Bicknell Crane, Esq.,
Augustus Coolidge,
Rev. Thomas Elliott St. John, A, M.,
Edward Issachar Comins,
Thomas Melvin Lamb, .
DWIOHT ARM8BY DAVIS,
BEN.JAMIX John Dodge,
Isaac Newton Metcalf,
George Sumner,
Joseph Nye Bates, M. D.,
Alexander Cole Munroe,
Dr. Charles Whitney Estacrook,
Worcester.
Worcister.
Worcistcr.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Oxford.
Worcester.
WorevhttT.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worce.>-ler.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcester.
Worcc8tcr.
t No. 64,5. ]
0titm0nut0HHI| n| ilH$$ii^Ip$ijH$*
mJjE it KXOWN, That whereas Samuel Elias Staples, Claek
^ JiLLSON, Elleri: B. Ckane, Daniel SeagraVe, Franklin
Pierce Rice, James Andrew Smith, Albert Alfonzo Lovell and
Albert Tyler, have associated themselves with the iateution of forming
a corporation under the name of
for the purpose of cultivating and encouraging among its members a love
and admiration for antiquarian research and archaeological science ; and,
so far as practicable, to rescue from oblivion any historical matter that
might otherwise be lost; also, the collection and preservation of antiqna-
i-ian relics of every description, With a capital of an amount not yet estab-
lished, nor divided into shares, and have complied With the provisions of
the Statutes of this Commonwealth in such case made and provided, as
appears from the certificate of the- President, Treasurer, and Directors of
said corporation duly approved by the Commissioner of Corporations, and
recorded in this office :
^ofccr, SHIjeafore, I, Henry B. Peirce, Secretary of the Commonwealth
of Ma-ssachusetts, DO hereby certify, that said S. E. Staples, C. Jill-
BON, E. B. Crane, D. Seaorave, F. P. Rice, J. A. Smith, A. A. Lov-
ell and A. Tyler, their associates and successors, are legally organized
and established as and are hereby made an existing corporation, under the
name of The WohcesTer Society of Antiquity, with the powers,
rights and privileges, and subject to the limitations, duties and restrictions,
which by law appertain thereto.
[ L. s. ] WITNESS my official signature hereunto subscribed, and
the seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereunto
aftixcd this twenty-second day of March, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
HENRY B. PEIRCE,
Secrttary of the Commonwealth.
iwy^^^
fmG^^BiM%^
^^^i^^;Miii;sji^;^ii
PROCEEDINGS
For 1875.
ORIGIN OF THE SOCIETY.
The wants and needs of a community like the one
in which we live, both present and prospective, are
liable to remain unsatisfied unless some person volun-
teers to give direction to individual thought, so that
each may understand the wants of the many, and all
unite their efforts to promote a common cause.
The union of distinct and independent forces, the
bringing together of isolated rays of intellectual light,
and the aggregation of individual research, require
such peculiar talent as would seem to be beyond the
comprehension of a large majority of mankind.
That there has been, and now is, in the city of
Worcester, a considerable number of persons, includ-
ing some in the humble walks of life, who have been
and are deeply interested in the preservation from
oblivion of all historical matter relating to Worcester
or Worcester County, as well as in the collection of
rare and ancient books, pamphlets, prints, enfn\ivinn;s,
pictures, autographs and coins, together with imple-
2
lO
merits and manufactures representing the arts, sci-
ences and industry of former generations, no reason-
able person will venture to doubt. Though their
tastes were in many respects similar, they were not
acquainted with each other, and, so far as their anti-
quarian research was concerned, each w\as confined
to the narrow limit of the meagre result of his own
efforts, without receiving any substantial benefit from
what others had accomplished.
The bringing together of some of these persons for
the purpose of forming a Society is due to the fore-
sight and ability of Samuel E. Staples, who, after
consultation with one or two others, sent out the
following brief card of invitation :
Worcester, Mass., January 21st, 1875.
To John G. Smith, Daniel Seagrave, Richard O'Flyiin and
Franklin P. Rice :
Gentlemen — It has been proposed to form a Society for the pur-
pose of increasing an interest in archaeological science, and to
rescue from oblivion such historical matter as would otherwise be
lost; and you are respectfully invited to meet a few gentlemen for
consultation and such action as may be thought best, at the house
of the writer, No. 1 Lincoln Place (rear of No. 69 Lincoln street,)
on Saturday next at 4 o'clock P. M. Hoping you may find it con-
venient to be present for an hour,
I am, yours respectfully,
SAMUEL E. STAPLES.
The first preliminary meeting was held January
24th, 1875, at the residence of Samuel E. Staples, No.
1 Lincoln Place, Worcester, Mass., in accordance with
the above invitation. There were present, besides
Mr. Staples, John G. Smith, Richard O'FIynn and
II
Franklin P. Rice. Tlie matter involved in tlio invi-
tation to this meeting was freely discussed, and it was
the unanimous opinion of those present that an
organization formed for the purposes set forth in said
invitation would be useful and desirable, provided a
sufhcient number of persons could be found who
would take an interest therein.
Mr. Staples presented the following Constitution
for consideration, and the meeting was then adjourned
to January 30th :
CONSTITUTION.
NAMB AND PURPOSE.
AuTiCLK 1. The name of this organization shall be TiiR
WoucESTEii SociKTY OK Antiqlity, and its ohject and pur-
j)ose to foster in its members a love and admiration for antiqua-
rian research and archa-ological science, and the rescue from ol)liv-
ion of such historical matter as would otherwise be lost.
MEMBEUS.
Article 2. Any person of good character, having an interest
in the objects of this Society, and having been proposed at a pre-
vious meeting, may be admitted by a majority vote of the members
present, on condition of contributing to its interests, attending its
meetings, and conforming to the rules and regulations of the
Society.
OFFICERS.
Article 3. The olUccrs of the Society shall consist of a
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian,
who shall be elected annually, in the month of January, on sepa-
rate ballots, and shall resi)ectively hold their office until a successor
is chosen.
MEETINGS.
Article 4, IMeetiiiffs for business and for the jieneral jjood
of the Society shall be held on the last Saturday of each month,
excepting .July and August, and as much more frecpiently as (he
12
interests of the Society may require ; and it shall be the duty of
the President and Secretary, jointly, to notify the members in
writing of the time and place of all stated meetings, and of all
other meetings which in their judgment the interests of the associ-
ation require should be held.
QUORUM.
Article 5. Five members shall constitute a quoi'um for the
transaction of business ; but a less number may hold meetings for
consultation and general improvement.
EXPENSES.
Article 6. The expenses of the Society shall be liquidated
by voluntary contributions from its members, or others who may
be interested in the objects of the association.
ALTERATIONS.
Article 7. This Constitution may be altered or amended in
such manner as the interests of the Society may require ; notice of
such alteration or amendment having been given at a previous
meeting, two-thirds of the members voting therefor.
The second preliminary meeting was held at the
printing office of Tyler & Seagrave, No. 442 Main
street, Worcester, Mass., Jan. 30th, 1875. Present,
Samuel E. Staples, John G. Smith, Franklin P.
Rice and Daniel Seagrave. Samuel E. Staples was
chosen chairman and Daniel Seagrave secretary. On
motion of Mr. Seagrave, it was unanimously voted
that those present form themselves into a Society, the
objects thereof to be such as set forth in the circular
of invitation.
The Constitution presented at the previous meet-
ing was read and referred to a committee consisting
of Samuel E. Staples and John G. Smith.
The third preliminary meeting was held Feb. loth,
1875, at the same place as t'ue former meeting, and
»3
was called to order by the cluiinnan. There were
present Samuel E. Staples, John G. Smith, Franklin
P. Rice, Richard O'Flynn, Henry D. Barber, Henry
F. Stedman and Daniel Seagravc. The committee to
whom was referred the Constitution made the ibllow-
ing report :
Worcester, Feb. l.Uh, 187').
The committee to wliom w.as referred the draft of a Constitution
for revision have attended to their duty, and submit the followin;;
report :
After duly considering the various names that have boon suijj-
gested for the association, they liave unanimously agreed that the
one (irst proposed, viz.: "The Worcestkr Society of AxriQuiTy,"
is the most suitable, as it covers the whole ground for which the
association is to be formed, and is sutFiciently comprehensive to
embrace all persons, in every place, who may desire to become
members of the association, and the committee therefore recom-
mend its adoption.
Article second is so changed that propositions shall be in writ-
ing, and a two-thirds vote of members present be required to admit
members.
Article fourth is presented in a new draft.
Article sixth, for the word "shall" read "may," and the follow-
ing additional clause : " but in case the necessity arise, the mem-
bers may be assessed for such amount as the interests of the Soci-
ety retjuire."
The proposed Constitution, as revised by these and other
amendments herein specified, will then read as follows :
CONSTITUTION.
NAME AND PURPOSE.
Article I. The name of this organization shall be The Wor-
cester Society of Antiquity, and its object and purpose to foster
in its members a love and admiration for antiquarian research and
archicological science, and to rescue from oblivion such historical
matter as would otherwise be lost.
14
MEMBERS.
Article 2. Any person of good character, having an interest
in the objects of this Society, and having been proposed in writing
at a previous meeting, may be admitted by a two-thirds vote of the
members present, on condition of contributing to its interests,
attending the meetings, so far as practicable, and conforming to the
rules and regulations of the Society.
OFFICERS.
Article 3. The officers of the Society shall consist of a Pres-
ident, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian, who
shall be elected annually, at the stated meeting in January, on
separate ballots, and shall respectively hold their office until a
successor is chosen.
MEETINGS.
Article 4. Meetings ,for business and for the general inter-
ests of the Society shall be held on the first Tuesday of each
month, excepting July and August ; and also such special meetings
as the interests of the Society may require ; and it shall be the
duty of the President and Secretary, jointly, to notify the mem-
bers in writing of the time and place of all stated meetings, and of
all special meetings which in their judgment (or upon the written
request of any three members,) the interests of the association
require should be held.
QUORUM.
Article 5. Five members shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business, but a less number may hold meetings for
consultation and general improvement.
EXPENSES.
Article G. The expenses of the Society may be liquidated
by voluntary contributions of its members, or other persons who
may be interested in the objects of the association ; but in case the
necessity arise, the members may be assessed for such amount as
the interests of the Society require.
alterations.
Article 7. This Constitution may be altered or amended at
any stated meeting of the Society, notice of such alteration or
'5
amendment having been given in writing at a previous busincee
meeting, two-thirds of the members present voting therefor.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
SAMUEL E. STAPLES,
JOHN G. SMITH.
The above Constitution was unanimously adoptetl.
The first regular meeting of The Worckster Society
OF Antiquity, under the Constitution, was held at the
printing office of Tyler & Seagrave, No. 442 Main
street, Worcester, Mass., March 2d, 1875. There
were present Henry D. Barber, Richard O'Flynn,
Franklin P. Rice, John G. Smith, William Macready
and Daniel Seagrave. In the absence of the chair-
man, Henry D. Barber was elected chairman pro tern.
The Society was then duly organized by the election
of the following officers :
President, Samuel E. Staples; Vice President,
Henry D. Barber ; Secretary, Daniel Seagrave ;
Treasurer, Henry F. Stedman ; Librarian, John G.
Smith.
Thus was organized a society whose future prom-
ises the most gratifying results. A committee, con-
sisting of John G. Smith and Daniel Seagrave, was
appointed to take into consideration certain amend-
ments to the Constitution.
The next meeting was held April 6th, 1875. The
Piesident, who was absent at the time of his election,
favored the Society with the following address :
ADDRKSS OK THE I'REgHDENT.
The WoncESTEH Society op Antk^'ity is designed to encour-
age historioil researcli. That there is a necessity for such an oruniii-
i6
zation in this community may be seen when we consider that in
this city of fifty thousand inhabitants, with its many institutions of
learning (in literature, art and the sciences.) there is no other insti-
tution of this kind that meets the popular demand. The Ameri-
can Antiquarian Society may be properly called a national institu-
tion, supijorted and maintained by gentlemen of eminence in their
several walks and professions, embracing in its membership per-
sons of the rarest culture and most profound knowledge. Such
an institution is useful beyond calculation, in securing, devel-
oping and preserving historical knowledge, but it fails to meet
the wants of many jiersons interested in like researches and pur-
poses, who are not so fortunate as to be reckoned among the mem-
bers of so honorable a body.
It is hoped and believed that this new Society may meet this
demand, while it will in no sense be regarded as a rival of the
older Society, but rather an auxiliary to it. In order, then, for
this association to be the most useful to its members, and ultimately
to the public at large, it is very important that each one of us
pursue with diligence and careful inquiry the several topics of
interest that fall within our sphere.
Historical research and the preservation of historical matter is
the underlying principle that should prompt us in our efforts for
the attainment and the dissemination of knowledge. Though this
Society enters the field of inquiry, the paths of which have been
travelled by so many illustrious men, there is room enough and to
spare for the few congenial minds with which we start our organi-
zation, and the prospective numbers, large and cultivated as we
expect them to be in the future, who may be attracted to this
organization. The natural benefits to be derived from this associ-
ation are not to be overlooked. The field of inquiry is so broad
that each one may here and there cull a flower with which to
beautify our institution, or bi'ing in the harvested fruit to enrich
our membership. Let each one do his part, both in spring-time
and harvest, that our garners may be filled.
By the records of the last meeting, it appears by the votes then
cast you did me the honor to elect me as the first President of this
Society. Wlii!e I appreciate the honor thus conferred, I can only
wish that it had fallen upon some other person much better quali-
17
ficd, or that I could brinn^ more ability to the performance of tljc
duties of the oince. Desiring' the growth and prosperity of this
new organization, I shall do what I can to promote its interests,
doubting not but that I shall receive the hearty cooperation of all
its members.
At the regular meeting held May 4th, 1875, the
Committee on Amendments to the Constitution,
[ippoiuted March 2d, 1875, reported an article relat-
ing to honorary members, which was adopted and
numbered three (3), the numbers of the following
articles being changed to correspond therewith. This
article was as follows :
HONORARY MEMBERS.
Article 3. Any person of good moral character, interested
in antiipiarian research, and having a desire to assist in the objects
of this Society, and having been proposed in writing at a previous
meeting, may be admitted an honorary member thereof on receiv-
ing a two-thirds vote of the members present. Honorary mem-
bers shall bo entitled to all the privileges of other members,
except the right to vote and hold office.
The last meeting of the year was held December
7th, 1875, at the residence of John G. Smith, No. 53
Lincoln street. At the close of the meeting remarks
were made by the members relating to the prosperity
of the Society during its brief existence. Mr. John
G. Smith said that he felt very much encouraged by
the present condition of the Society ; that it had far
exceeded his utmost expectations ; and he congratu-
lated the members on the benefit they had already
derived from their connection with it. At the close
of this year the Society, was composed of twelve
members.
3
i8
The interest manifested on the part of the friends
of this Society, in its progress and welfare, cannot fail
to produce the most satisfactory results. The large
number of books, many of them rare and expensive,
collected by the members of this Society during the
present year, will have a tendency to stimulate more
persistent efforts in the same direction during the
year to come. Our members now have in their libra-
ries some of the oldest and rarest printed books in
existence ; and when these collections are brought
together they will form one of the most valuable
antique libraries in the country.
With these encouragements the Society closes the
first year of its existence ; and the members feel that
they are justified in expressing their complete confi-
dence in the success of this new enterprise.
^^^wsi}i^'^)iwsl&xirs>:»'^'siii^^si"t}'s^.
PROCEEDINGS
For the Year 1876.
The first annual meeting of The Worcester Society
OF Antiquity was lield at the residence of Samuel E.
Staples, President of the Society, at No. 1 Lincoln
Place, Worcester, Mass., January 4th, 1870. At this
meeting the following officers were elected :
President, Samuel E. Staples ; Vice President,
Henry D. Barber; Secretary, Daniel Seagrave ; Treas-
urer, Henry F. Stedman ; Librarian, John G. Smith.
The President delivered his address, as follows :
Gentlemen — In accepting the position to which by your votes I
have been assigned for anotlier year, I desire to return my sincere
thanks for the confidence shown and the honor conferred upon me.
Conscious in some measure of the poor qualifications I bring to
the performance of the duties of the office, yet with the aid and
cooperation that I hope to receive at the hands of every member,
I trust and sincerely hope tliat we shall be able to place tliis Soci-
ety upon a sure foundation, and make it an organization the power
and usefulness of which shall be acknowledged wherever it may
be known.
With gratitude to that Being without whose notice not a spar-
row falls to the ground, let us be mindful of His goodness and
- -^ -20
mercy to us in the past, and let us strive faithfully in the future to
perform with diligence the obligation of each passing hour.
And now as we enter upon the duties of a new year, this Soci-
ety observes its first anniversary. Thus far of short duration, li/;tle
ex23erience and few in numbers, some of whom have been classed as
" middle men" * nevertheless the purposes of the organization have
been accomplished in the encouragement of historical research and
the preservation of historical matter. Associated labor is calcu-
lated to produce much greater results than the independent effort
of an individual alone. By association we are quickened and
incited to greater diligence and stronger effort, consequently more
is accomplished than could be done without such united purpose.
The advantages of associations like our own are ajjparent, and no
argument is needed to show their importance.
The recent circular from the commissioners of the proposed cen-
tennial celebration, recommending that an historical address, hav-
ing special reference to local history, be delivered in every town or
county throughout the land on the coming anniversary of Ameri-
can Independence, and that such productions be preserved and
bound together by States, forming a grand history of our country,
is a judicious and wise suggestion, and should have the hearty
support .of every patriot and every historical society throughout
our vast domain.
Since the institution of The Worcester Society of Anti-
quity, Jan. 24th, 1875, twelve meetings have been held, includ-
ing three preliminary meetings. These have been occasions of con-
siderable interest to those who have been present, and not without
beneficial results. Matters relating to the association have been
discussed, new members have been admitted from time to time,
and reports of the acquisitions have been made, showing in the
aggregate not less than 1000 volumes and 1500 pamphlets,tbesides
numerous portraits, autographs and coins.
One pleasant feature of our association has been in holding the
meetings of the Society at the dwellings of the members, thus
affording an opportunity for a, better acquaintanceship of the mem-
bers and the examination of their libraries, by which we have been
*Vide Proceedings American Antiquarian Society, Oct. 21, 1874.
tSo fir iis r<>pnrt<.' I, 1S12 volum(>s and 158G pamphU'ts
21
instructed and entertained, and some exclianges have been effected
to mutual advantage.
It would doubtless have been an easy matter to greatly increase
our meinbcrsliip, but our purpose has been to admit only those
who are especially interested in the objects of the association, and
who will add to its interests by hearty cooperation in our endeav-
ors to promote its usefulness. Numbers do not constitute true
strength; this only results from earnest, active effort on the part
of those who are associated together for a common purpose.
Having thus far reviewed the brief history of our Society, let
us now inquire what it shall be in the future. Shall it go on
increasing in usefulness and multiplying its numbers, or shall it be
suffered to languish and die, failing to meet the demands of the
j)lace and the times? I think you will agree with me in saying
it ought to and must be sustained.
I venture to aihrm that not one who has helped the Society
through its first year of existence would be willing to see it fall to
the ground as unripe fruit, unfit for a place among the honored
societies of the land, having a Jiindred purpose in their life and
continuance with our own.
This Society is not alone in laboring under embarrassments in
the early stages of its existence ; and we should not therefore be
discouraged, for a brighter day is sure to dawn if we prove faith-
ful to the trust now imposed upon us.
We should receive a new impetus from the inspiration of this
centennial year, and strive with renewed diligence and energy to
do our part in treasuring up the records of the past and being pre-
pared to transmit to posterity that which we have obtained.
In the language of another, "our first and great object is to res-
cue from the past all that is valuable in regard to New England
(and I will add our whole country), and to preserve all that may
in any way contribute to the history and renown of her people."
To rescue from the past — that is one of the fundamental princi-
ples of this Society. O that we knew more of the past — more
concerning those noble men, the fathers of our republic, who a
hundred years ago were striving and toiling here to establish a
government that should bless and elevate mankind and make
them free.
22
"While we cannot know all we desire, yet history reveals unto
us enough to kindle anew our patriotism and lead us to a greater,
a deeper and truer devotion to the interests of our common coun-
try. To rescue from the past — that shall be our motto. Let
nothing worthy of preservation be lost, but gather up the threads
of history, weave them together, and let them be preserved through
all coming time.
But why so anxious about the past ? Is it not the future that
most concerns us ? Most truly it is ; but only as we rightly know
and estimate the past shall we learn wisdom for the future. The
noble, patriotic and Christian example of our worthy sires shall
be a pattern for us, in so far as they were exemplars of all that is
good and true in man, and we will strive to imitate their virtues
and avoid their errors.
Having thus briefly considered the interests, purposes and
design of this association, let us as we now start anew in life's
pilgrimage, ever strive faithfully to perform our part of its
duties, so that the world around us may be better for the work we
may have done.
At this meeting the matter of printing the pro-
ceedings of the Society was referred to a committee
consisting of Daniel Seagrave, Richard O'Flynn and
Frankhn P. Rice, who reported at the next meeting
in favor of printing the proceedings, but final action
was deferred till March 7th, 1876, when the subject
was indefinitely postponed, and a committee consist-
ing of Daniel Seagrave, Henry D. Barber and James
A. Smith was appointed to take into consideration the
expediency of printing the Constitution and By-Laws.
After investigating the matter, it was thought expe-
dient to revise the Constitution, and at the regular
meeting held October 3d, 1876, a committee con-
sisting of Samuel E. Staples, Daniel Seagrave and
Ellery B. Crane was appointed to make such revision ;
23
and at the meeting held November 11th the commit-
tee was enlarged by adding to its number Clark Jill-
son and James A. Smith.
This committee held several meetings, and at the
last meeting of the year, held December 5th, 1870,
at the residence of John G. Smith, 58 Lincoln street,
the committee reported a revised Constitution, which
was considered, approved and laid over till the next
meeting for final adoption.
At the meeting held May 2d, 187G, a committee
consisting of Franklin P. Rice, Richard O'Flynn and
Augustus Stone was appointed to draw up and for-
ward resolutions to Henry B. Anthony, Senator in
Congress from Rhode Island, thanking him, in the
name of the Society, for securing the passage of a
bill in Congress having for its object the placing of
the public documents within the reach of the people ;
and at the meeting of June 6th the committee
reported the following resolution :
Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be tendered to the
Hon. lie. y B. Anthony for the introduction of the bill providing
for the sale and better distribution of the Public Documents.
Resolved, That this resolution bo entered upon the records of
the Society, and that a copy be forwarded to Senator Anthony.
The Secretary was instructed to forward the above,
and received the following reply :
Providence, May 17, 1876.
Dear Sir — Your note of the 12th was forwarded to me from
Washington. Please express to the Society my thanks for the
complimentary resolution of which you ajiprise me.
Yours, very respectfully,
IL B. ANTHONY.
Daniel Seagrave, F1s(i., Secretary.
24
At the same meeting, Charles R Johnson read an
interesting paper on the " Vestiges of Ancient Amer-
ican Civilization," as follows :
Gentlemen of The Worcester Society of Antiquity — I would invite
your attention a short time this evening to the subject of American
archjeology. The study of the antiquities of any nation, to what-
ever period of time or to whatever part of the world that nation
belongs, is always an entertaining one ; but the investigation
becomes doubly interesting when it relates to our own ancestors,
or to the remains of other races which once flourished where we
now dwell. Hence we should all have a special concern in the
topic before us.
In considering the ancient civilization of America, I shall con-
fine myself to the localities where the remains are most extensive,
viz.: Mexico, including Yucatan, Central America and Peru ; and
I shall devote my time to the discussion of three questions : First,
How high a degree of civilization is indicated ? Secondly, How
far back does that civilization date ? and, thirdly, "Who were its
authors ?
Beginning, then, with the first question, it should be said at the
outset that very different grades of skill are to be noticed in differ-
ent places. The best specimens of workmanship are seen in Yuca-
tan and Central Amei'ica. Proceeding northward, the ruins
decrease in importance. Travelling to the south, one has to go as
far as Ecuador before making valuable discoveries, but neither
there nor in Peru are the remains equal to those of Guatemala or
Yucatan. You have all heard of the ruined cities of America ;
most of you have probably read the graj^hic accounts of them given
by Stephens and Squier, hence it would be very much out of place
for me here to rehearse what those eminent authors have said ;
but I will briefly describe a few of the important works of the
ancient people, in order that we may get some idea of their skill
and draw an inference as to their condition.
At Palenque, in the Mexican State of Chiapa, there are
some remarkable ruins. The most noticeable of these is a build-
ing called the " Palace." It is situated on a terraced pyramid,
forty feet high. This building is 228 feet long, 180 feet wide,
25
iind 2>') t'ct't hiijli. It li:is 14 doorways on each side and 1 1 at each
<'ih1. It was built of liewn stone, carefully laid in mortar. Around
lilt! ediiice was a corridor 9 feet wide, roofed l)y a pointed arcii.
'I'liere are four interior courts, one of which measures 70 by 80
feet. These courts are surrounded by corridors, the architectural
work of which is richly decorated. The piers around the courts
are "covered with figures in stucco, or plaster, which, when broken,
reveals six or more coats or layers, each revealing traces of paint-
ing." The sculptures are very finely executed. Another edifice
at I'alenque, called La Cruz, is so wonderfully ornamented that
Captain Dupaix declares : " It is impossible to describe adetpiately
the interior decorations of this sumptuous temple;" and speaking
of its broken statues, Stephens says : " In justness of proportion
and symmetry they must have approached the Greek models."
Captain Ki(;hard Stewart, a recent traveller in Mexico, describes
some wonderful ruins which he saw near ^lultipec, in the State of
Guailalajara. These ruins arc situated on a high jdateau, and
extend over a space of more than twenty-five acres. The most
prominent among the remains is a quadrilateral pyramid 500 feet
R(puire and 100 feet in height. On the side of the p3'ramid facing
tiie east is an arched doorway 39 feet high and 27 feet in width,
(laiiked by inmiense sphinxes standing on marble pedestals. There
are two marble pillars lo feet high in front of each sphinx. These
j)i]lars are ornamented witlr finely-carved figures and are covered
with hieroglyphics. Passing the grand entrance, one comes upon
a stately hall, 53 by 90 feet, the walls of which are adorned with
sculptured figures and hieroglyphics. The ceiling is supported by
twelve marble pillars, six on eacli side, which are also covered with
carvings. Four doors lead from this hall into smaller rooms,
which it is supposed, from the character of the interior, were used
as resting places of the dead. There are also doorways which
lead from the main hall to fiights of stone steps descending to sub-
terranean chambers.
In the State of Oaxaca a monument has been found which
undoubtedly was once used as an astronomical observatory. This
is a granite rock hewed into the shape of a pyramid, at the top of
whicii is a level space, whence a fine view of the heavens can be
had. On one side of the rock are carved astronomical fiirures, and
I
26
among these is the form of a man gazing at the sky through a
telescope. There is strong evidence among the ruins that the
ancient people did not neglect athletic exercises. A good example
of this is shown in the Gymnasium or Tennis Court at Chicken
Itza, in Yucatan, a structure formed by two parallel walls 274 feet
long, 30 feet thick and 120 feet apart. In the middle of these
walls, and opposite each other, are two stone rings 4 feet in diam-
eter, and having at the centre an aperture 19 inches in diameter.
These rings are 20 feet from the ground. The space between
these walls was beyond question used for games, but what kind of
games we cannot tell.
Thus far I have spoken only of the remains in North America,
but those in South America are also very important. The city of
Cuzco was defended by immense stone fortresses, the walls of
which were so massive as to make it appear incredible to the con-
querors that they could have been raised by human hands. The
Temple of the Sun at Cuzco was a structure of extraordmary size
and magnificence, having " a circuit of more than four hundred
paces." A section of its walls still exist, forming a part of the
Convent of St. Domingo. At Tiahuanaco there evidently once
existed a great city. Cie^a de Leon, describing this place, says :
" There are stones so large and so overgrown that our wonder is
incited, it being incomprehensible how the power of man could
have placed them where we see them. They are variously
wrought, and some having the form of men must have been idols.
Near the walls are many caves and excavations under the earth,
but in another place further west are other and greater monu-
ments, such as large gateways with hinges, platforms and porches,
each made of a single stone. It surprised me to see these enor-
mous gateways, made of great masses of stone, some of which were
thirty feet long, fifteen feet high and six thick." The great roads
of Peru may, however, be regarded as the greatest monuments of
the old race. One of them extended from Quito to Chili ; another
led from Cuzco to the coast. They were from twenty to twenty-
five feet wide, and were built on a foundation of masonry. In
some places they were paved, in others macadamized. Mr. Bald-
win, in speaking of these I'oads, observes that "the builders of our
Pacific Railroad, with their superior engineering skill and mechan-
27
ical aiipliaiires, might reasonably shrink from the cost and tin-
ililliciiltie.s of sucli a work as this. Kxtendinjj from one (h'gret;
north of C^iiito to Cnzco, and from Cuzco to Chili, it was quite as
lonff as the two I'aoifie railroads, and its wild route among the
mountains was far more diHieult." Is any further proof needed
that a people who eould undertake and complete works like this,
and the others I have alluded to, were in a very advanced state of
civilization ?
I now come to the second ipiestion. IIow far hack does this civi-
lization date ? Those who follow the generally received chronol-
ogy are inclined to speak of the American ruins as of no very
great age. They would make it appear that this continent, nay,
that the world itself, has been peopled but a few thousand years,
and that all civilization must have grown up in that time. The
researches of scholars among the antiquities of Kgypt, Assyria and
India, as well as the discoveries of science, have established the
falsity of this notion as to the Eastern Hemisphere, and I think
that it may bo shown to be equally untrue in regard to the West-
ern Hemisphere. Great cities are not built in a day. Progress
in science and art is of slow growth, and it is only by gradual
stages that a people is raised from savagery to a state of refine-
ment. Yucatan, Chiapa and Guatemala were covered by a dense
forest when Cortez conquered JMexico, and this forest then had
every appearance of having stood there for centuries. It is here
that are found the most striking remains of the lost race. Here
are Copan, INIitla and Palentiue, or rather here are the shattered
remnants of their former grandeur. If the rise of civilization is
gradual, so also is its decay. IIow many centuries, then, must
have elapsed since these cities were in their prime I IIow many
more since the date of their foundation ! Nay, further, to what
remote tinle shall we assign the foundation of the cities which pre-
ceded these, and of whose existence there is the strongest evidence t
For, as Brasseur de Bourbourg says, "among the edifices forgot-
ten by time in the forests of Mexico and Central America, we
find architectural characteristics so different from each other that
it is as impossible to attribute them all to the same people as to
believe they were all built at the same epoch." The condition of
the remains themselves bears positive testimony to their great age.
28
Nothing is left but what is least destructible. Even the massive
stone buildings tliemselves have mostly crumbled away, and only
a few remain to attest the glory of their founders. Every wooden
structure, every tool, every article of furniture, every household
utensil, except something eartheu or stone, has disappeared. The
period of time required for such a process of obliteration must be
very extended indeed. All civilized peoples have a literature
which, while it exists, gives a full account of their history. The
ancient Americans had a literature, but unhappily it was almost
entirely destroyed by monkish bigotry. From the little that re-
mains we are enabled to gain a few facts regarding the history of
its authors. It appears that here, as in the Old World, one nation
succeeded another in influence and power, only to be in its turn
supplanted by a third, and thus in regular order. The prominent
people mentioned in this succession are the Chichemecs, the Col-
huas, the Toltecs and the Aztecs. Under the head of Chichemecs
seem to be included all the original barbarous inhabitants of the
country. They Avere followed by the Colhuas, who were the
founders of the original civilization. The Toltecs came into the
country about ten centuries before the Christian era, and estab-
lished themselves in the place of the Colhuas, The oldest certain
date in the Toltec history is 955 B. C. This was when the con-
querors made a division of the land ; whence the inference that
they began to arrive about 1000 B. C. The Toltecs had a long
lease of power, but eventually, weakened by misgovernment and
broken up by dissensions, they were forced to give place to the
Aztecs, who appeared on the scene about two hundred and fifty
years before the Sj^anish invasion, and continued to rule the coun-
try till they were subdued by Cortez. Thus much for the history,
as recorded in the American annals. It is but just to say that
this account seems to be in some respects corroborated by the
Phoenician and Tyrian writers, especially in regard to the antiquity
and civilization of the American races ; for they record instances
of ships being driven across the Atlantic and finding a land " wat-
ered by several navigable streams and beautified with many gar-
dens of pleasure, planted with divers sorts of trees and an abun-
dance of orchards. The towns are adorned with stately buildings
and banquetting houses, pleasantly situated in their gardens and
orchards." The time when these ships were driven across could
29
hardly have been later than 700 B. C, and was probably consider-
al)ly earlier. I think I have shown that the civilization in North
America h of a very ancient date. By a parity of roasoniii<j;, this
may be proved in regard to South America. Xhere, too, the oKl
structures have nearly all perished, time having brought every-
thing possible to ruin. There, again, may be collected fragments
of early history, which, when put together, go to show that the
country was inhal»ited by an intelligent race as early as 2500 B.C.
Science also lends its aid to assist in solving the question of
anti(juity; but as usual, when science interferes in such matters,
we are carried back an almost indefinite distance. l*rofessor
Orton, in his work on " The Andes and the Amazon," makes the
following remarkable declaration : " Geology and archaeology arc
combining to prove that Sorato and Chimborazo have looked down
upon a civiliz.'}tion far more ancient than that of the Incas, and
perhaps coeval with the Hint flakes of Cornwall and the shell-
mounds of Denmark. On the shores of Lake Titicaca are exten-
sive ruins which antedate the advent of Manco-Capac, and may be
as venerable as the lake dwellings of Geneva. Wilson has traced
six terraces in going up from the sea through the province of
Esmeraldas toward Quito, and underneath the living forest, which
is older than the Spanish invasion, many gold, copper and stone
vestiges of a lost population were found. In all cases these relics
are found below high tide mark, in a bed of marine sediment, from
which he infers that this part of the country formerly stood higher
above the sea. If this be true, vast must be the autiipiity of these
remains, for the upheaval and subsidence of the coast is exceed-
ingly slow." I can but think that this estimation puts the origin
of civilization far enough back to satisfy the most enthusiastic stu-
duent of American archaeology.
The third and last question, AVIio w'ere the authors of this civili-
zation? next demands our attention. This is a subject about
which there has long been much dispute. Able scholars have
<liscussed the matter with a great display of learning, and self-
supposed scholars have often made it the occasion of a great di^;-
j)l:iy of ignorance. All sorts of theories have been advanced.
Tall folios have been Avritten to show that the American races are
descended from the " lost tribes of Israel," as witness Lord Kings-
borough's works. Other volumes have been prepared with a view
30
to establish the fact that the Phoenicians settled this continent.
Still other books attribute this work to the Malays. Mr. C. G.
Leland, an Englishman, recently made a very labored effort to
prove that ancient America was indebted to the Chinese for its
civilization, and, in strange contrast to this, Mr. Charles W. Brooks,
an American, last year read a paper before the San Francisco
Academy of Sciences, in which he attempted to show that the
Chinese race derived its origin from the Peruvians. These theo-
ries are all built upon very slender foundations, if foundation they
may be said to have at all. A stray word here, an obscure custom
there, and an odd instrument somewhere else are, in most cases,
all they have to depend upon. What if the Phoenicians and Ma-
lays did have communication with this continent in prehistoric
times ? Does it necessarily follow from that that they peopled it
or gave it its civilization ? England and France, separated only
by a narrow channel, have had constant communication with each
other for a thousand years, the respective races of each remaining
the same, and yet the English have not anglicized France, nor
have the French gallicized England. How small, then, must have
been the effect upon the character and condition of the people of
two continents, thousands of miles apart, of the scanty intercourse
brought about by the occasional visits of trading ships ! As to the
" lost tribes of Israel," there is not the slightest historical evidence
that they ever left Asia, nor has anything worthy the name of
proof been discovered in this country to indicate that they were
ever here. Besides, as Mr. Baldwin justly remarks, " such a jour-
ney " as that required to bring them here, " had it been possible,
would have resulted in utter barbarism rather than any notable
phase of civilized life." If we thus reject all the old theories, it
may well be asked how we account for the presence of man on
this continent, and to whom we ascribe the construction of the
great works before mentioned. To this I answer that, for myself,
I am inclined to adopt the "Atlantic Theory," which is based on
the supposition that there formerly existed an extension of the
A.merican continent reaching out toward the east from what is now
the Gulf of Mexico, and almost meeting Europe ; that upon this
peninsula or continent there existed in prehistoric times a very
cultured people ; that it was, in fact, the cradle of the civilization
of the world ; that thence men went out to subdue and civilize the
31
rest of the earth ; tliat by n, tremendous cataclysm this land was
eiifjiilfc'd, disa])poariii<i iK'Hcath the sea; that a few of the i»('()|iU>
cscapi'il. and were the orii^inators of the civilization of ^Mexico,
Central America and Pern ; that portions of the submerged terri-
tory afterward rose, forming the islands known as the Antilles,
lirasseur de Bourhourg is the great exponent of this theory. This
learned Frenchman spent many years in Mexico and Central
America, studying among the ruins. He became master of the
IMaya language, and succeeded in translating the old books and in
deciphering some of the inscriptions. He found abundant refer-
ences to the cataclysm in the ancient manuscripts which he discov-
ered and in the sculptures everywhere visible in the deserted cities.
What is stranger still, he asserts that many of the rites j)racticed
by the natives to-day, and which he personally observed, have sj>e-
cial reference to the great convulsion. The common peoj)le do not
know the meaning of these rites, but the priests keep the secret.
Brasseur also cites several of the old Greek authors to show that
the nations of the Eastern continent in ancient times had dealings
with Atlantis.
I would have liked much to have discussed this theory at length,
thus giving a juster account of it, but it is not possible to do so in
the brief space allotted to this essay. Indeed, to treat of the
subject worthily would recpiire the whole of a separate paper, and
therefore I will not attempt a further review of it here.
It has been my endeavor to show in these pages that the remains
found in various parts of the continent attest that there once lived
here a race of men far advanced in the arts of civilized life ; that
that race can be traced back to a very distant epoch ; and that its
origin is not to be ascribed to any of the sources which it has been
the custom of most writers on this subject to point out. I am
deeply sensible that these questions have been treated of very
iiuuleiiuately in this essay, but I trust that the lack of skill shown
here will be the means of inciting other and abler investigators to
research in this direction.
In closing, I desire to express my obligation to Hon. John D.
Baldwin, whose work on "Ancient America" has greatly assisted
in the preparation of this paper.
32
At a special meeting held June 9th, 1876, the
Society voted not to accept the invitation to join in
the public procession at the Centennial celebration
on the Fourth of July, as many of its members were
already engaged for duty on that day.
At the regular meeting held Sept. 12th, 187G, the
following paper on "Genealogy" was read by EUery
B. Crane:
3fr. President, and Members of The Worcester Society of Antiquity
— Genealogy, the history of the desceut of a person or family from
an ancestor, is to me a subject of jiarticular interest; and out of
my limited study of family histories has grown a desire to know
something of the records of the past concerning the different races
who have inhabited the earth, and particularly that ancient and
unknown people who have left behind them on this American con-
tinent (as Mr. Baldwin tells us) " sUch lasting monuments of a cer-
tain degree of civilization." The very able and interesting essay
read by Mr. C. R. Johnson at our meeting held on the evening of
June 6th of the present year gave us much information concerning
this ancient race ; yet it left us, as no doubt it left him, thirsting
after more knowledge relating to that antique people.
This same mental thirst for additional facts, either in the direc- '
tion of the history of races or of families, stimulated now and then
by a fresh, invigorating draught of information brought to light
through the exploration of some old musty, time-worn town or
church record, or it may be from the writings of some ancient
English, French or Spanish traveller, or perchance it may be from
a personal examination of the old ruins themselves, is perhaps one
cause of the interest taken in ancient history, whether of men or
nations. Yet from the remotest ages there has always existed
among civilized people (and to some extent among the uncivilized)
a desire to trace one's lineage and perpetuate its knowledge ; it
seems, therefore, a principle of our nature. One of our prominent
genealogists has said that among all the motives which operate on
tlie human mind few exert more influence than those drawn fi'om
liistory. If the intellectual, social and moral condition of nations
33
ricli ill historical recollections he coiiiparcil with that of a |)eople
chieily or wholly destitute of them, tlu; (lilVcrciicu will he found to
1)1' Viist and striking. The strength of England and the United
States is fed continually hy memories of Cressy and Agincoiu-t, of
IJunker Hill and Saratoga, while long centuries of darkness and
hondage have enfeehled the Chinese and the Irish. What is true
of nations is also true of families. There is scarcely to be found
an intelligent, public-spirited, virtuous man who can safely deny
that his motives to virtue and patriotism are not strongly rein-
forced by the consideration (if such were the fact) that his ances-
tors were brave and upright men. "With Webster, let us believe
that there is a moral and philosophical respect for one's ancestors
which elevates the character and improves the heart. Burke
truly said, " Those only deserve to be remembered by posterity
who treasure up the history of their ancestors."
Our American ancestry is certainly rich in moral strength.
What we are to-day depends, to a very great extent, upon what
our ancestors were before us. We are moulded largely after them.
Let no man place dishonor on his ancestry, but rather let it be his
solemn duty to ever hold it in high regard. How grand the accom-
plishment for a person to be able to consider what his forefathers
were; what they did one, two or three hundred years ago; what
part they took in matters of Church or State — for there is no
family without its ideal man. The history of a nation is largely
made up of incidents of heroism or patriotism performed by its
people, and really it is no more nor less than a collective history
of the families composing that nation. Thus we see that by the
writing of family memorials we are able to perpetuate the nation's
history, and at the same time connect those families with the great
transactions of the past, enabling posterity to detect what their
ancestors had to do with the successive portions of the nation's
life.
The publication of these pedigrees, and the holding of family
meetings, or reunions as they are sometimes called, has a salutary
effect ; it tends to bring members of the family together and to
bind them more closely in bonds of fraternal love and esteem. I
have been a witness to good results from these family gatherings,
iind have taken great pleasure in bringing face to fare relatives
34
who might never have seen each other had it not heen for the
family reunion, and doubtless would never have known of each
other if the family history had not been written. I have met per-
sons who came hundi'eds of miles to attend a meeting of this kind,
hoping that there perhaps they might be able to see, or at least
gain some knowledge concerning a relative whose whereabouts for
years had been unknown to them, and in almost every instance
success crowned their eifort.
All persons that have given much attention to family histories
have become deeply impressed with the varied relationships run-
ning through the different families — how they are, as it were,
woven together by marriage, one family with another. The effect
is really peculiar. The descendants of families who were neigh-
bors and intimate friends two hundred years ago find themselves
to-day husband and wife. The rapidity with which they multiply
seems almost incredible. In two hundred years, from one pro-
genitor, the Rawson family increased to over seven thousand j)er-
sons, including the intermarriages.
To many persons genealogy is an uninteresting subject, and
slow to attract their attention ; but, nevertheless, it has its ardent
supporters, and not a few persons are to be found laboring stu-
diously within this branch of historical record. They are doing a
splendid work for posterity, who, in the coming ages, will rise up
and call them blessed. My little experience has proven that the
middle-aged persons and those past the prime of life are the most
ready to take interest and render assistance in this kind of work.
The younger people have so much to turn their minds in other
channels, that not until they have taken upon themselves the more
serious part of life and mastered many of its weighty problems, so
that they begin to realize what this life means, that we should not
live for mere self — then there comes the interest to be felt in
others, and genealogical subjects are more readily taken up.
Educated, thoughtful, representative men are always found ready
to give their attention to this theme, so far as circumstances will
admit. A man must, indeed, entertain a very low estimate for
ancestral worth, and show very little regard for those noble patri-
archs who spent their lives in improving and perfecting the insti-
tutions which are to be so much enjoyed by every successive gene-
35
ration, if he is not williiiii, cither witli his time or money, to
cncourago tlie puhlieafion of family i>ocliirrees, and the infiuene(!
arising from such, nnwillingncss cannot work for good ui)ou the
minds of /ns children or those that come after them.
Among the first questions that press themselves upon tlie mind
of the genealogist for solution, these are perhaps the most promi-
nent: Who were our first progenitors? From whence did they
come ? When did they arrive in this country ? What was their
condition in the old country ? When, where and how did they
live? What were their occupations? What their characteristics,
physical, moral? What position in society did they sustain?
Wliat (if any) were the principal incidents of their lives ? These
and many more must arise. But how and where can the answers
he obtained ? Those who have had the most experience are the
best prepared to point out the way of solution. I do not claim to
have had sullicient practical accpiaintance with the subject to be
able to dictate largely to others, but perhaps I can, in a general
way, make some suggestions and give sonic hints that will prove
of service to those of you who may enter upon this interesting yet
mysterious, and sometimes almost fruitless, voyage.
The answer to the first question, Who was our first progenitor?
and perhaps to some of the others that follow, may be found in
tradition. Many persons are able to tell you they are descended
ironi liaronet or Sir Knight So-and-So, General Urown or Capt.
Smith, who, years gone by, served his country with distinction and
renown ; but about anything intermediate between that period and
the record of their own family, they know nothing and care little.
But this man, so proud of his nol)ility as to cherish and pass down
to his children the name of their jirogenitor, renders valuable ser-
vice in furnishing the family genealogist with the key-note to a
melody which may gladden tlu; hearts of thousands of their fellow
kin. After personal inquiries among the eldest surviving members
of the family, should tradition fail to furnish the coveted solution,
then search for the family records, and trace them back to the
fountain-head. "Hotten's List of Emigrants to America" may
perhaps give the name and time of arrival in this country. This
book of Hotten's gives the names of a large number of persons
who went from Great Britain to the American plantations from
36
the year IGOO to 1700, with their ages, locations, where tliey for-
merly lived in the mother country, and names of the ships in which
they embarked, taken from manuscript records jireserved in the
Public Records Office, London, by John C. Hotten, and published
in 1874.
It is very difficult to obtain satisfactory accounts of their con-
dition in the mother country, and also where and how they lived,
without visiting the old localities and examining the records that
may be found there.
Histories of nearly if not all the counties in England have been
published, some of them, I am told, entering largely into family
pedigrees, and they are very much needed by American genealo-
gists, in order that the connecting links between the old English
stock and the early settlers of the New England colonies may be
better adjusted and understood. At the present time very few of
these county histories are to be found in the United States. But
Congress has taken the matter in hand, and an order has been
passed to have them purchased for our National Library, where
they may be consulted. Indexes to some of these histories are to
be found in some American libraries, but they are by no means
common. I anticipate that the wants of many persons who are
anxious to find records of their ancestry in England will be grati-
fied when a complete set of English county histories shall have
become the property and in the possession of a public library on
this side of the water.
There are some standard books for genealogical reference to be
found at the Antiquarian Library of our city, such as the New
England Historical and Genealogical Register, numbering some
thirty volumes; Dr. Savage's Genealogical Dictionary; Henry
Bond's family memorials and genealogies of the families and
descendants of the early settlers of Watertown, Mass. ; Genea-
logical Notes, by Goodwin ; Genealogical Register of the First
Settlers of New England, by John Farmer ; Vinton Memorials,
by John A. Vinton ; Littell's First Settlers of the Passaic Valley ;
also a very long list of county and town histories. The public
owe a debt for the use of the library of the American Antiquarian
Society that they never can well repay. There are by actual
count 200 county and town histories containing genealogical notices
37
of the early settlers, some of them finite extended, rind many, if
not the greater part of them, can ho fonnd in our Antiquarian
Library.
Daniel S. Durrie, I^ii)rarian of the State Historical Society of
Wisconsin, has published an alphabetic index to American geneal-
ogies and pedigrees. You will find in this index, under the name
sought for, a reference given to numerous histories and works of
other kinds, where ])erhaps the desired information may be found.
There also has been prepared a catalogue of family histories by
William II. Whittemore. The first edition appeared in 18G2,
under the title, "Handbook of American Genealogy;" the second
in I8C8, under the present title, "American Genealogist," which
was again republished in 187 o. From this catalogue reference
can be had to all the American family genealogies that had been
published up to the month of June, 187o.
In addition to the works already mentioned for reference, there
are the numerous family liistories, of which a large number can
be examined at this Anticpiarian Library. When unable to satisfy
your desire from these family, town and county histories, then the
original manuscript records of towns and church societies, where
any member or your family has been a resident, must be carefully
examined for births, deaths, marriages, etc. It is well to look
over the probate records and registry of deeds to see what can be
found there ; also the inscriptions on head-stones in our old l)urial
grounds. If all the records upon the ancient tomb-stones, marking
the final resting jjlaces of our forefathers, could be transcribed
before they are forever lost, it would save to posterity a valuable
register, and the pen of the future genealogist would render homage
to the transcriber. Already many of those pristine monuments
that were standing over the dust of those once noble sires have
become weakened by the decay of ages, and wherever the slab is
found on the sacred spot the characters have become so obliterated
by the collection of lichen and rust as to place them almost beyond
recfignition. A few records of this kind can be found in the His-
torical and Genealogical Register, but it is a source of much regret
that more of them have not been preserved.
In searching I'ecords made in the early days of our colonial set-
tlements, a ])cculiarity about the dates maybe noticed. Our Puri-
38
tan forefathers began their year with March for the first montli,
and the succeeding months were represented by successive num-
bers. This was called the Old Style legal year in P^ngland, and
in use i^revious to the year 1752.
At the present time the town and city records of births, deaths
and marriages are kept with such systematic thoroughness
throughout New England, and particularly in the State of Massa-
chusetts, that the future collector of family pedigrees will have
comparatively an easy task from the present time forward, so long
as the same system of registration shall be continued.
The practice adopted by many of our colleges, of keeping a
record of the lives of their sons and perpetuating the prominent
points in their history, will exert a good influence over them, and,
in the future, prove a very valuable reference for the family gene-
alogist.
To obtain records of a more recent date, it will be necessary, so
far as possible, to have the names and the post-ofhce address of all
persons bearing the same patronymic, to gain which it will be
found profitable to consult all the town, city, county and State
directories, reference books of the mercantile agencies, and all
other books that you can find access to, out of which you would
be quite sure of acquiring a good list. In the meantime circulars
could be printed, with blank spaces, to send to each person on
your list, that they may fill out the blanks and return them ; and
it is very important that these circulars be so formed that the
manner of filling up the blanks will be readily understood by those
to whom they are sent, and when properly filled the information
will be complete and comprehensive. Caution should be given
against writing obscurely, for it sometimes happens that records
not clearly written in the original manuscript cause serious errors
in the printed page, impairing its value and producing dissatisfac-
tion in the family where the inaccuracy occurs.
A work of this kind requires much time for preparation. It
never should be hurried through. Success depends on its thor-
oughness and accuracy. Discouragements in various forms will
present themselves, but with a firm determination to conquer any
obstacle that stands in your way, success will at last be the reward
for your labor.
Genealogical subjects did not occupy the minds of the early set-
tlers of our New England colonies to any great extent. They
were more thoughtful for the safety and welfare of their families,
the enjoyment of their religious liberty, and the success of their
settlements, than the publication of independent family histories.
They rather preferred making their record in one grand colonial
history, where each family might be represented by their self-sac-
rifice and devotion of life for liberty and true patriotism.
The earliest genealogy, in a distinct form, published in the
United States is believed to be that of Mr. Sanmel Stebbins and
Hannah, his wife, from the year 1707 to the time of its publica-
tion in Hartford, Ct., in 1771, containing 24 pages, and printed by
Ebenezer "Watson. But one other (that of the Chauncey family,
in 1787,) was published previous to 180G. From lyOG to the
year 1800, 4-1 years, about 7'J were published; within the next 10
years G3 genealogies were i)rinted ; and in the 10 years succeeding
1870, 242 came from the printer's hands ; during the five years
previous to 1875 (at which time my record ceases) 135 were
issued, showing that there has been steadily developed a growing
interest in this kind of work; and I anticipate that the nundjer of
genealogical publications for the live years ending in 1880 will far
outrank that of the same period of five years preceding it.
As to the arrangement of matter for jMiblication, style to be
adopted, etc., there are almost as many dift'erent modes as there
are books, for each compiler in the past seems to have carried out
a peculiar arrangement of his own, many of them being ratlier
dilficult to comprehend. But of late a certain state of perfection
has been attained by some of our best compilers, and their diction
has been imitated by others, always, however, subject to some
slight change to meet certain requirements that the work might
present. The more clear and plain the style, the more readily it
will be understood and appreciated. I prefer the method of
arranging each generation in regular order by itself, jjnd one gen^j-
ration after the other, with consecutive numbers prefixed and suf-
fixed for reference, both forward and back, to the several names
when they occur — as parent or child. The value of such records
it is hardly possible to estimate, and the various connections and
relationships that arc developed by working out these family his-
40
tories gives satisfaction to many a restless desire. In collecting
material for the Rawson family memorial, persons were found who
had lost all knowledge of some brother, uncle or cousin, who,
through the working of some unforeseen change of events, had
passed beyond reach of each other. In almost every instance, the
l^ersons themselves or their children were brought into communi-
cation with each other again.
If your patience will allow me, I would like to cite one instance
which will perhaps better illustrate my meaning of the value to be
])laced on such pedigrees. . Some of you may recall an article that
appeared in the Worcester Daily Spy, some months ago, relating
to a Mr. Rawson, surgeon in the United States navy during the
war of 1812. The close of that war found him in the port of
Buenos Ayres, South America. He went into one of the interior
provinces of what is now called the Argentine Republic, and set-
tled in the city of Meudoza, capital of the province of Mendoza.
Here he married a Spanish lady and became the father of twa
sons. In January, 1847, he died, after having devoted nearly
thirty years of his life for the advancement of the best interests of
the community where he lived and the education of his children.
The eldest of them became an artist of some note in his own coun-
try, and died in 1871. The other son. Dr. Guillermo Rawson,
now 55 years of age, is a graduate of both the University and
Medical College of Buenos Ayl-es ; was Minister Secretary of the
Interior under General Mitre, receiving his appointment in 18G2,
and at present filling several posts of honor and trust, such as
Senator in the Argentine Congress, Professor of Public Hygiene
in the Medical Faculty of Buenos Ayres, Chairman of the Board
of Consulting Physicians of the Sanitary Institute in that city, and
also delegate to the International Medical Congress, which has
just closed its session at Philadelphia. All the old family letters
and papers belonging to the senior Dr. Rawson had been destroyed
by fire before the sons were of sufficient age to remember their
contents, and at their father's death all knowledge of their ancestry
was lost ; so that this educated, thinking man found himself with-
out information concerning his progenitors beyond his own father,
exce])t he remembered that his father came from New England,
and for tin; past ten or twelve years, through his own efforts as
41
well as those of his friends, he had been trying to connect himself
with some branch of the family here, hut all to no purpose, and
the matter had been dropped. But last Fall it was my j)rivile;:;e
to find the connecting link, and J at once apprised him of the fact,
at Buenos Ayres. The expression of joy and satisfaction that
came in return from him iij his letter to me, fully repai<l me fur
the trouble I had taken in his behalf. This connection, doubtless,
never would have been revealed iuid it not been for the republica-
tion of the Rawson memorial. It was the direct means of bring-
ing about this happy result.
Tliis centennial year will offer a rich harvest for the genealo-
gist, as well as the historian. It has already awakened fresh
interest in historical matters relating to our country, and genealogy
nuist receive its share of attention.
A committee, consisting of Ellery B. Cnme, Albert
A. Lovell and Franklin P. Rice, was appointed to
copy the inscriptions on the tombstones in Mechanic
street and other old burial grounds in and about the
city. At the meeting held November 11th, 1876, the
above named committee made a partial report, stating
that they have copied and arranged alphabetically
more than 300 inscriptions, and that they propose to
add short biographical sketches in a large number of
cases. A final and complete report will not be made
for some time to come.
At the close of 1876, we find that there is an in-
creased interest being manifested on the part of our
members and others in the advancement of the ob-
jects of the society, giving promise of a successful
work in the years before us.
With abundant hope of future successes we finish
the record of the year with a good measure of pre-
paration for the labors and pleasures that await us.
G
I
PROCEEDINGS
For the Year 1877.
The anniical meeting was held at the residence of
Samuel E. Staples, No. 1 Lincoln Place, Jan. 2d, 1877.
The revised Constitution, presented at the last
regular meeting in 1876, was read by the Secretary
and adopted.
The President then made a few congratulatory
remarks relating to the progress of the Society dur-
ing the past two years, stating that he deemed it
unnecessary to make any formal address, as the entire
ground would be covered by the annual reports of
the several officers.
The Reports of the Secretary, Treasurer and Libra-
rian were read and placed on file.
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
To the Officers and Members of The Worcester Society of Anti-
quity :
The Secretary, in reviewing the history and proceedings of the
Society during the past two years, will not attempt any elabora-
tion, but confine himself to a simple narration of facts, regretting
that this duty should have fallen upon him for its performance,
rather than upon another better (pialified.
43
FIRST YEAR— lH7.->.
The first j)ix'limiriary meeting of tliis Society was lielil at (In-
residence of Samuel E. Staples, No. 1 Lincoln Place, January 24,
1875, agreeably to an invitation given to several gentlen)en to
meet and consult upon the expediency of forming a society or
association, the objects of which should bo " to foster iu its mem-
bers a love and admiration for antiquarian research and archa'o-
logical science, and to rescue from oblivion such historical matter
as would otherwise be lost." There were present at this meeting
Samuel E. Staples, John 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
oi)inion of those ])resent was that such an organization would be
useful and its mission beneficial, provided that a sulDcient 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 j)resent one — as a basis
of the organization.
At the second preliminary meeting, held January 30, 187a, at
the otRcc of Tyler «fc 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, 187."j, 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 ofhce
of Tyler & Seagrave, 442 Main street, the organization of the
Society was completed by the election of the following olficers :
44
Samuel E. Staples, President.
Henry D. Bauber, Vice President.
Daniel Seagrave, Secretary.
Henry F. Stedman, Treasurer.
John G. Smith, Librarian.
Reports of acquisitions by members to their resjiective 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
" Geiieahi^y" — have been read before the Society during the past
year, and it is hoped that these may find a ]ilace 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, etc. 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 j)aper
mill — is saved to enrich the literary resources of the city of Wor-
cester.
Among the many rare and valuable volumes secured and deserv-
ing mention in this report, many of which arc fine specimens of
printing and well preserved, are the following :
Piers' Ploughman (written,) 1302
Sciinonos (luailrayisiinalos, Utino, (ilium.) Veiilco 147:^
SvL'tonivs Do Vita XII. Ca'sarvm, Milan 1475
De Picceptis (illuminated,) Venice 1478
Now Testament (reprint,) Cologne 152(i
New Testament (reprint,) Geneva ir>r>7
Daynty Denises, London 1570
Breeches Bible (illustrated,) Loudon 1016
Mappe of Rome, London 1020
David's Teares, London 1032
Qnarles' Emiiloms (illustrated,) London I(i34
Overbury's Wife, London 1038
O vid's Met:nnori)hoses, London 1040
Critica Sacra, London 1042
Lof Sancic, Amsterdam 1050
Gondibert, London 1051
Jliddie State of Souls, London 105V)
Field's Bible, 2 vols., folio (illustrated,). ..Cambridge.. ..1(«J0
Muggleton's Works, London 1001
Works of Jacob Cats (illustrated,) Amsterdam 10<15
Theatre of Human Life (illustrated,) Brussels 1072
Clavis ITomerieus, Rotterdam 1073
Baxter's Saint's Rest, London 1088
Meditations of Antoninus, London 10(t2
46
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 Csesar (illustrated,) London 1753
Gay's Fables (illustrated,) London .1755
Walton and Cotton's Angler (illustrated,) -London 1750
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 ix Worcester County. — " Sermones
Quadragisimales de legibus fratris Leonardi De Utino sacre iheo-
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 excei)t 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 '^••xgQ, and is
probably the best preserved book of its age in this country.
Since the above was written, it has been ascertained from a
woi'k in the American Antiquarian Society's Library that this
book was printed at Veiii(;e in 1473.
47
Anotiiku Rakitv. — I must not fail to mention an cilition of
'^Svetonii'S De Vita XIL Ccrsarvm, McJioJani, 147/i," (Suetonius'
Lives of the Twelve Ciesars, published in Milan in 147o.) 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 f(ir 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 j)ages
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 priHiting.
From a manuscript note on the fly leaf, the book is snjjposed 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 Ca?sars
precedes by one year the first Greek book ever printed, which
was the Greek Grammar of Constantino Lascaris, executed at
Milan by Dionysius Paravisinus, in 147G, and by six years the
first printed portion of the Holy Scriptures in Greek — viz.: The
Psalms — issued there in 148L There is in the Library of the
Athenanun at Turin a book printed by IMiilip de Lauagnia in
Milan, bearing date of 14G9, viz.: "The Miracles of Notre
Dame." The oldest printed volume in possession of the Ameri-
can Antiquarian Society, locatc<l in this city, is a Latin translation
of Herodotus, printed by Arnold Pennartz, at Rome, in 147r>.
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 Aihrmatively, according to Scripture and
Experience. By John Hale, Pastor of the Church of Christ in
Beverly. With an Introduction to the work, by John Higginson,
> 48
Pastor of the Church in Salem. Anno Domini 1697. Boston in
N. E. Printed hy 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 Jive 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 Neio 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 SAMrooAONK Wussampoowontamun Nashpe
moeuwehkomunganash ut New-England. Qushkenuniun en In-
diane Unnontowaonganit. — Nashpe Grindal Bawson, Si-c
MusiiAuwOMUK. 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 Eiigland, viz. : I. Of Godly Ministers. II. Of
Other Good Men. IIL Of Religious Women. IV. Of Pious
49
Young Persons. By Expcjiience Mayhew, M. A., Prfarlicr of
the Gospel to the Indians of that Island. To which is added,
Some Account of those En<^lish IVIinistors who have Successively
Presided over the Indian work iu that and tlie adjacent Inlands.
By Mr. Prince. 8", 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 scat-
tered, but, on the other hand, saved complete, to increase the lite-
rary wealth of some public institution in our city or county.
Tiie meetings of the Society during the past year have been
held as formerly, at the residences of its members. While all
have been ])leasantly 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.
Tlie Society has held twelve meetings during the past year,
with a fair average attendance of its members at eaeli session.
At this date the Society has a membership of thirty — twenty-
seven active and three honorary members.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL SE AG RAVE, Secretary.
Worcester, Mass., Jan. 2, 1877.
The meetings of the Society, thus far, having ])een
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
tlie Treasurer have been far from burdensome, as
will be seen by the following report :
50
* TREASURER'S REPORT.
Worcester, Mass., Jan. 2, 1877.
James A. Smith, Treasurer pro iem., in account with
The Worcester Society of Antiquity.
1876. Dr.
Cash received of Secretary,
Daniel yeagrave $4 00
Casli received of President,
Samuel E. Staples 1 00
$5 00
Cr.
Cash paid to Tyler & Sea-
grave.. $4 00
Cash on hand 1 00
$5 00
JAMES A. SMITH, Treasurer pro tern.
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 j)ublic use.
We have received the following donations :
Algkrt a. Lovell. — His "Worcester in the War of the Revolution;
Embracing the Acts of the Town of Worcester from 17G5 to 178o, inclu-
sive, with an Appendix."
Ellery B. Crank. — 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 Hitdson. — 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 oi
our National Independence, July 4th, 1876;" his " Lexington Centen-
nial, 1775 to 1785."
51
Danikl Skaouavk. — Tliice Ceiiteiiiii:il Exhibition pamililcts.
RiciiAiU) O'Flynn. — rsaim Took ami Kuconl Book.
Nathaniel Pai.ne (for the City Committee on Printing tlie Fourtii of
July Proceedings.) — " Celehnilion by the Iniiabitants of Worcester,
Mass., of llie Centennial Anniversary of tlic Declaration of Indepen-
dence, July -Ith, 1870."
Clakk Jillson. — "Celebration by the Inhabitants of Worcester, Mass.,
of tlie Centennial Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July
4th, 1S70, incliidinj; tlie Oration of Hon. Benjamin F. Thomas. LL.D., to
wliicli are added Uistorical 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 Ttiayts, Sentiments, Siteeches, 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 p]. Staples.
Vice Presidents — Ellery B. Cuane, Clark Jillson.
Secretary — Daniel Seaoravk.
Treasurer — Jajies A. Smith.
Librarian — John G. Smith.
executive committee.
Samuel E. Staples, I Ellery B. Crane,
Clark Jillson, | Daniel Seaorave,
James A. Smith,
standing committee on nominations.
Albert A. Lovell, for one year.
Franklin P. Rice, for two years.
Charles R. Johnson, for tlirec years.
Clark Jillson was appointed a committee of one to
take such action as might be necessary to incorpor-
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
satisfiiction 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 :
EEPORT.
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 187a-'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 refei-ence ; and they appointed Clark Jillson, one of their
number, to prepare the matter for publication, all of which is now
neai'ly 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 llie riiijht to pur-
chase others at such price as tlic Society niay (leterniinc.
All of whicli is respectfully sul)niitte(l.
Samuel E. Staples,
Clauk Jillson,
Elleky B. Crank.
Daniel Seaguave,
James A. Smith.
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 memher
of the Society he 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 iollowincr letters have been received from
those who have been elected honorary members of
this Society :
CAMiJUiDCEroKT, Mass., Nov. 27, 187G.
Dear Sik — 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 Antiqrtity :
Dear Sir — Your favor of the IGth, informing me that I have
been elected an honorary member of The Worcester Society of
54
AntiquIty, was duly received. I hereby signify my acceiitarice
of the position, and my thanks for the honor conferred upon
me. If I can aid you iu 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 Sea grave, 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 spe-
cial j^leasure 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 au 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 v.as instructed to invite
all the members of the Society to prepare and bring
designs to his ollice 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 cojnbination of any two or
more as they might thinls. 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
Connnittee on procuring a Seal, read the ibllowing
report which was accepted, and the Seal Avhich the
Connnittee had procured was adopted as the Seal of
the Society.
REPORT.
Tho Committee appointed to select a desiirn and procure a Seal
for Tlie Worcester Society of Aiiti<|uity, have attended to the
duty assigned them and submit the following Rej)ort :
At the annual meeting of the Society, held January 2d, Daniel
Seagrave was appointed a Committee to jirepare a design for a
Seal, and in the performance of that duty, he presented one for
inspection at the adjourned meeting held January ICth. At this
meeting, upon his rocpiest, it was voted that the otiier members of
56
the Society be requested to prepare and present designs at the fol-
lowing meeting. Ellery B. Crane, Dvvight A. Davis, Albert
Tyler, and Daniel Seagrave, responded to the invitation.
Subsquently, in accordance with a vote of the Society, request-
ing all the membei's to prepare and bring in designs for examina-
tion at the office of the Secretary, E. E.. 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 jjurpose 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 ojjportunity 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.
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, liad been supposeil prolia-
ble. But late researches liave establisiied the fact beyond a rea-
sonable doubt, of a settlement here, and an advanced state uf civiliz-
ation, that was not known by the early writers and liistorians of
this land. Ancient implements of war are also grouped together,
and beneath them all are the volumes of arclieological science ex-
emplifying the legend upon the scroll, " Litcra 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 dillicult to select a suitable emblem that
has not already been used by some other kindred Society.
AVe would hereby express our thanks to each an<l 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 diflicult task, the
accompanying Seal, which we hope may be acceptable to all who
are now or may liereaftcr become members of TiiK AVoucKSTiiU
SoCIKTV OF AXTK^LITV.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL E. STAPLES.
CLARK JILLSON.
ELLERY B. CRANE.
"Worcester, ]\larch G, 1877.
The Coinniilteo appointed January 2(1, 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 Incori)oration, report: —
That the Society may become a corporate body under the Clen-
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 op Antiquity.
Your Committee recommend that those pex'sons 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 G, 1877.
The above report was accepted, and its recom-
mendations adopted.
The meeting was then adjourned sine die.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE,
Secretary.
INCOUPO li AT ION
AGKEExMENT.
We, wliose names arc liercto subscribed, do, by tbis 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 Maasacluisetts, 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 Tin:
WoKCKSTEu 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 arclucological science; and,
so far as possible, to rescue from oblivion any historical matter
that might otherwise be lost.
2d. The collection and preservation of antiipiarian relics of every
description.
The |dace within which the corporation is established or located
is the city of Worcester, within said Commonwealth.
In "WITNESS "WiiEKEOK, wc liave 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 Sea«;rave, Albert Alfonzo Lovell.
KiciiARD O'Flvnn,
6o
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 tlie adoption of By-Laws
and election of officers, and the transaction of such otlier 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.
Command calf Ij of ^Tussncljusctts.
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
op 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.
I
6i
Tlic first nicotiiig held in conformity with the foro-
li^oing notice, was called to order by Clark Jillson, and
Daniel Seagrave was elected temporary Clerk, by bal-
lot, and was sworn to the faithTul discharge of his
duty. '
(!rommonl"oca{tb of IHIassachuscits.
WoucKSTKU, ss. i\l:iirh Tttli, 1H77.
Tlieii personally appeared tlie altove-iiained Daniel Seaijrave,
and made oath that he would faithfully perform the duties of tem-
porary Clerk of The Worcester Society of Anti(piity.
Before me,
CLAHlv .TILLSOX,
Justice of the Peace.
The snbscril)ers then proceeded to elect, by l)all()t :
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 :
Commonlucalth of Massiubusdfs.
Worcester, ss. March Gth, 1877.
Then personally ajipeared 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.
62
The members of The Worcester Society of Anti-
quity, viz. : John George Smith, Henry Davis Barber,
Henry Francis Stedman, WilHam Macready, OKn 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 followino; members were elected the Standintr
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 followin(»: 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 :
^3
" We, whose iiaiiios arc liereto subscribed, do, l»y lliis agree-
ment, associate ourselves with the iuteutiou to constitute a corpor-
ation according to the provisions of the three hundred and seventy-
lifth chapter of the Acts of the General Court of the Comraon-
wealth of Massachusetts, passed in the year eighteen hundred and
seventy-four, approved June twenty-seventh in said year. The
name hy which the corporation shall be known, is The Wouces-
TEU Society of Antu^city.
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 relics 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 hereuto set our hands, this twe^"
tieth day of February, in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-
seven.
Samuel P^lias Staples, .Tames Anduew Smith,
ClAKK JiLLSON, ALr.EKT Al.I ONZO LOVELL,
Elleuy IJ. Crane, KiCHARn O'Flynn,
Daniel Seaguave, Alijekt Tylek."
Fkanklin 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 Smith.
Ellery B. Crane,
A majority of the Executive Committee of The Worcester
Society of Antiquity.
64
Commonl\3ealllj of gTiissacIjusctts.
Worcester, ss. March Gth, 1877.
Then personally appeared the above-named Samuel Elias Sta-
ples, EUery B. Crane. Daniel Seagrave, and James Andrew Smith,
being a majority of the Executive Commtttee 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 estabhshed as the
seal of this Society.
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.
DANIEL SEAGRAVE, Clerk.
A true copy.
Attest: DANIEL SEAGRAVE, Clerk.
CONSTITUTION.
AUTICLK I.
This Society .shall l»c called TiiK Wouckstku Socikty oi-'
Antiquity.
ARTICLE II.
OnjECT.
The purposes of this Society shall be :
1. To cultivate and encourage among its members a love and
admiration for anticpiarian research and archa-ological science ;
and, 60 far as possible, to rescue from oblivion any historical mattiT
that might otherwise bo lost.
2. The collection and preservation of antique relics of every
dcricriptioii.
ARTICLE III.
OFFICERS.
The ofliccrs 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 ofhcer shall be balloted for
at the same time. A majority of the ballots sliall be sufficient to
elect. They shall hold 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 Eirst 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 ton. shall be chosen.
66
2. Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keei> 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 meinbers 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
pajiers 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 Avhich 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 an<l have the can;
of all publications of the Society, unless by a vote the Society sec
lit, when desirable, to elect a special committee for that purpose ;
may prepare and present business ; may solicit and secure, when
jiracticable, donations to the Society's funds, or collections ; shall
see that the orders of the Society are j)romptly carried out, and
that the provisions of this Constitution are studiously mainUiincd.
The President ex-ojjlclo shall at each annual meetin<; 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
qualilieations of every person i)roiM)sed for membership, an<l t4> j)ut
in nomination such persons as they in their judgment think will
promote the interests of the Society. Other conunittees may be
chosen, as occasion requires, but all conunittees shall report their
doings in writing.
ARTICLE VI.
MEMBEKS.
1. The name and (pialifications 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 j»erson shall be
considered a ineinlK.r of this Society until he has signed tlu; Con-
stitution.
ARTICLE VIL
IIONORAUY.
Honorary members may be proposed and elected in the same
manner as prescribed for active members.
ARTICLE VIII.
Dl'TIES OV SIEMHE11S.
1. It shall be the duty of each member to bear his equal burden
of the expense of the Society, and to till any olliee or perform any
I
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 jiursuits ; 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
ti'ansaction 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.
1. T(ix. 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 Memhersliip. 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 bo
approved by the member contracting the same, and paid by the
Treasurer, on a written order signed by the President and Secre-
tary.
69
AKTICLK XI.
FAILUUES, "VVITIIDHAWALS, EXPULSIONS.
1. Any member who for two consecutive years shall f:iil 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 fact.
2. Withdrawals. Any member may withdraw from the Society
by giving notice of liis intention to the Secretary and paying all
assessments due at tlie time of giving such notice, and the Secre-
tary shall make record of the fact.
3. Expulsions. Any member may, from any breach of trust or
malfeasance in olHce, 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
sliall be expelled from the Society without first having an oppor-
tunity to oxi)lain 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 XIIL
On the passage and adoption of the foregoing Constitution, ail
other articles previously used for the government of this Society
are hereby repealed.
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