Essex County, Massachusetts - Chapter 37, 1888 (part 2 of 2)

" Resolved, That the time has arrived when the true interests of all portions of the Town of Danvers, and the convenience and well-being of its citizens imperatively demand a division of its extended territory and numerous population into two separate and independent municipalities - that an equitable and convenient division would be made by a dividingline drawn from the mouth of Water's River on the East, thence westerly through the centre of said River, to Pine Street, and thence straight, in a northwesterly course, to the bend in Ipswich River, the point of intersection of the stream running from Phelp's Mill ; all remaining on one side of said line to constitute a town by itself; and all remaining on the other side of said line to constitute another and separate town ; and that our Representatives in the Legislature he hereby requested, and a committee of Ten to be appointed by this meeting be and they are hereby instructed to use all fair and honourable means in aid of the prayer of the petition of Benjamin Goodridge and others, and to secure by an Act of the Legislature, the division of the Town substantially in accordance with the plan above indicated."

The South people had the advantage of position. As the day wore away the northern farmers had to think of the cows and the chores. To take off the keen edge of the contest, a motion was interpolated that a committee of ten - five from each section - be chosen " to take into consideration the subject as to see what names shall be applied should a division take place, and report at the next annual meeting." It would take a long time to choose ten men ; it was getting really dark ; the cows would be suffering, and, then the committee just elected were to report at the next annual meeting. So some went - enough to decide the contest against the non-divisionists, for the South people had no idea of deferring the matter. They had come to stay. The main question was put, and this time the work of the tellers was not difficult., At five minutes past seven o'clock the moderator declared the result : one hundred and forty-one opposed to the resolution and two hundred and thirty-five in favor.

By vote of the meeting the chairman nominated as the committee called for by the resolution : Dr. George Osborne, R. S. Daniels, Winthrop Andrews, Henry Poor, Moses Black, Jr., Eben Sutton, Philemon Putnam, Joseph S. Needham, Amos Merrill and Francis Dane.

Within a very short time, March 8, 1855, a special meeting was held in the new town-hall in North; Parish, to vote by ballot on the question : " Is it ex-.

Though the polls were kept open from nine o'clock to five, the advocates of division, relying on the vote already secured, wisely let the day go by default, and the count showed but four yeas to four hundred and thirty-six nays. The clerk was instructed to send to the Legislature on the next day a copy of the record of this meeting, and Kendall O.sborne, Samuel Preston, Andrew^ Torr, Daniel Richards, Joseph Poor and Henry Fowler were appointed to remonstrate against division. James D. Black was in the Senate, and Israel W. Andrews was in the house. The latter was the champion of the opposition to division, and by a great effort he succeeded in obtaining an adverse vote in one of the earlier stages of the bill ; but on May 18, 1855, the Legislature finally passed "An Act to Incorporate the Town of South Danvers." This act established a division line, but provided that if a majority of the voters of Danvers should by vote express within thirty days their desire to have the line changed, that the Governor should appoint three commissioners to consider, and finally determine the same. The present line was in this manner established by commissioners.

An examination of this line as shown on any good map shows that instead of following the channel of Water's River to the Sulem line, it leaves the river and turns southerly, so as to include about fifty acres south of the bridge. Upon this territory is a part of Hanson's Grain-Mill, the large brick-house built by Matthew Hooper, a three-story brick tenement house now owned by John Bates, the old witchcraft house of the Jacobs' family,jand several other dwellings. Matthew Hooper and some, if not all, of his neighbors petitioned the Legislature to be set off from Danvers to South Danvers, but Danvers was unwilling to let them go, and nothing came of their petition.

A special meeting of that part of the inhabitants of the territory which still retained the name of Danvers, was called on 28th of May, to take such steps as the new phase of their muncipal career demanded. Certain vacancies in offices formerly held by citizens of the new town were filled. In the place of Francis Baker, William L. Weston was chosen treasurer, a position to which he was annually re-elected for eighteen years. Samuel Preston and Zephaniah Pope were elected overseers of the poor in the places of Wingate Merrill and Andrew Torr. Daniel P. Pope was added to the health committee ; Aaron Putnam was chosen auditor. There were already three Danvers men on the old board of selectmen, and seven out of twelve on the school committee, and in each case it was voted " to dispense with choosing any more." It was here voted that the chairmen of the several boards and the clerk procure all the books and records remaining in South Danvers, and that the Danvers members of the town-hall building committee provide a suitable place for them.

Another very important subject was considered at this first meeting of Danvers after division. It is sufBciently explained in the vote passed, namely, " that a committee of persons be chosen to confer with a committee of the town of South Danvers for the purpose of adjusting the division of town paupers, town property, town debts. State and county taxes, the government of the Peabody Institute, the expenses of the bridges now existing in the town of Danvers, and any other matters arising from the division of the town, and if the said committee shall disagree they are directed to apply to the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Essex for the appointment of three disinterested persons to hear the parties and award thereon." At an adjournment a week later the blank in the vote was filled by the appointment of one from each of the old school districts remaining in Danvers, as follows: No. 13, William Dodge, Jr.; No. 2, Henry Fowler; No. 3, Aaron Putnam ; No. 4, Francis Dodge ; No. 5, Nathaniel Pope ; No. 6, Nathan Tapley ; No. 14, George Tapley.

The two committees, acting in conference, first met on June 25, 1855, and proceeded then, and at successive adjournments, to a very systematic appraisal and adjustment of accounts between the two towns. The report, which was accepted in all particulars save that part which referred to the government of the Peabody Institute, on March 2, 1857, and which was finally accepted as a whole on February 1, 1858, covers nearly twenty large-sized pages of record, and, though very interesting reading, is too long to insert here. A few general items may be culled from the report, however. The footing of the appraisal of the property of the old town, on May 18, 1855, the day of division, exclusive of the two town houses, the Surplus Revenue and the Massachusetts School Fund, was $39,184.50.

The assessors' valuation, 1854, of property north of the division line was $1,444,900; south of the line, $2,732,600. Danvers was, therefore, entitled to 34iW!r per cent, of the corporate property, or the value of $13,553.14, and South Danvers to 65iVinj per cent., $25,691.36.

The resiflue of town property, including the town farm and almshouse (appraised at $22,050, and jiersonal property thereon, $5,519), the whole valued at $34,887, was assigned to South Danvers.

The Surplus Revenue Fund ($10,000), by the terms of the act was to be apportioned according to the number of children between five and fifteen years of age, on May 1, 1855, on either side of the line. The number of children was ascertained to be as follows:

To Danvers was, therefore, assigned $4,413.85 ; to South Danvers, $5,586.15. The amount of the Massachusetts School Fund, $862.72, was, on the same basis, apportioned, $383.45 to Danvers, and $485.27 to South Danvers.

The cost of the two new town houses was found, as has been already noticed, to be $22,951.53. The north building cost $11,148.05. On tlie basis of valuation, Danvers was entitled only to the 34/;^^^ per cent, of the value of both buildings, namely, $7,938.24; therefore, Danvers was indebted to South Danvers in this matter, $3,209.81.

The total tax for 1855 was found to be $44,698, of which $15,460.15 was due Danvers, and $29,237.85 South Danvers ; and the balance of accounts showed that Danvers owed South Danvers, $9,016.98.

The total indebtedness of the old town, on May 18, 1855, was $65,167.38, of which $20,000 was held by the Salem Savings Bank, about $19,000 by the Warren Bank, $10,000 by the Trustees of the Surplus Revenue Fund, and $3,500 by the Danvers Savings Bank ; and the total assets, $4,829.18 - leaving the balance of indebtedness, $60,338.20. Of this balance, Danvers was holden to pay, according to the fixed ratio, $20,869.78; South Danvers, $39,468.42. And it was decided that South Danvers pay to Danvers this latter amount in full discharge of its proportion of indebtedness, with interest from May 15, 1855, and that Danvers, retaining all the assets, continue liable for the whole amount of indebtedness.

One point the joint committee could not agree upon. The Danvers men claimed that South Danvers was liable to pay its proportion of two roads, Town's

After a careful examination of all the bridges in the old town, the committee awarded eight hundred and seventy-five dollars to be paid by South Danvers to Danvers as an indemnity to the latter for the greater burden thenceforth to be borne by reason of their maintenance.

It was found that of the thirty-seven paupers at the almshouse, seven had gained or derived a settlement within the limits of Danvers, and the remainder within the new town and mutual releases were recommended from each town to the other from liability for support of those paupers not found to belong to the resi)ective towns.

The relative interests of the two towns in the government of the Peabody Institute were adjusted so that South Danvers should have nine of the twelve trustees, a lion's share and inasmuch as four of the board were already residents of Danvers, it was provided that the first vacancy occurring among these four should be filled from South Danvers.

Finally, as a matter of courtesy, it was agreed that Danvers should pay its proportional expense of the cost (two hundred dollars), of copying the records for South Danvers, and that the latter town should pay its proportion of J. C. Stickney's bill of one hundred and fifty dollars, for services in behalf of the North people before the Legislature.

And so, now for more than thirty years, there have been two towns where there was but one. Those who went out are richer and more populous than tht)se who are left; but to the latter, within narrowed limits, belong the name and fame of the old town. The question of division gave rise to much bitter feeling, but the fact of division was sooner or later one of necessity. It is only strange that it did not come earlier. Traces of this feeling, it must be acknowledged, might still reward patient research, but the younger generation know it not. While there is little mutually attractive between the towns, but each looks to Salem as a centre, there is nothing repellant between them, and with increased traveling facilities the people are learning to know each other better to the end of a more perfect cordiality and unity.

And, now, to return to the broken thread of the story of George Peabody 's benefactifms. In the latter part of the summer of 1856 it was known that the man whose name had become so vvidely honored intended presently to leave London for a visit to this country. On the petition of the trustees of the institute the selectmen of South Danvers called a townmeeting, August 21, 1856, at which resolutions of welcome were passed, and a committee of twenty, together with the selectmen, were appointed to meet Mr. Peabody on his arrival at New York "to invite him to the home of his youth, and the seat of his noble benefactions; and, if lie sliall accept their invitation, to adopt such measures for his reception and entertainment as, in their judgment, will best express the love and honor which we bear him." An attested copy of the action of South Danvers was sent to Danvers, with an invitation to unite in the proposed reception.

On September 10th a Danvers town-meeting passed a series of resolutions, thanking " our sister town of South Danvers for the invitation to co-operate with them in the reception and entertainment of Mr. Peabody," heartily concurring in the sentiments of the resolutions adopted by them, and a committee of twentyone were chosen to act with the South Danvers committee. The gentlemen chosen were, -

The committees of the two towns henceforth acted as a joint committee, and the general expenses of the celebration were l)orne by the inhabitants of both towns in due proportion, as if no division had taken place. Delegations from the joint committee were sent to New York to welcome Mr. Peabody on his arrival, and, despite numerous invitations to accept of metropolitan honors, he declined to accept any public demonstration except from the hands of his own townsmen. And so on the 9th of October, 1856, the old town gave her son a royal welcome. Because of Mr. Peabody's modest refusal to be honored elsewhere, those who wished to show him tlieir respect were obliged to come to him. "From being simply a villatre festival, it became almost national in its character."

The day of the reception opened auspiciously - one of the fine Indian summer days. Mr. Peabody had come from Georgetown, driving over the road in a private carriage with his two sisters and a nephew. A salute of a hundred guns announced his arrival at the Maple Street Church, Danvers Plains. Here he was met by the committee, and was seated in an elegant barouche, drawn by six horses, accompanied by Robert S. Daniels, Joshua Silvester and Rev. Milton P. Braman.

"The scene here was very beautiful. The spire of the church and private buildings were gayly dressed with Hags and streamers, and in full view was an elegant three-fold arch spanning the wide street, the centre arch rising high above the others, and being adorned with evergreens, wreaths, medalions, flowers and flags." This arch deserves more than passing notice. One cannot easily imagine its imposing and graceful proportions. It was designed and executed by Mr. Silvester, and coming first in the long series of decorations with which the streets of both towns were adorned, Mr. Peabody personally expressed his surprise and grateful admiration to its designer at his side.

Two cavalcades were drawn up just below the arch; one wholly of ladies, added greatly to the attractiveness of the escort. Each lady threw into Mr. Peabody's carriage, as he passed, a bouquet of flowers. The procession moved on through High Street to Danversport, and so on to South Danvers, " through streets lined with decorated houses and under waving flags and triumphal arches, attended by the booming of cannon and strains of martial music. The shouts and salutations of the people were gracefully acknowledged by Mr. Peabody as he bowed to the throng on either side." The cavalcades and carriages forming as escort about half a mile long, proceeded thus through and out of Danvers and into South Danvers.

It is unnecessary to enter into the details of the day. The pageant of joy was equalled only by the pageant of sorrow, when through the same streets the great benefactor was years later borne to his grave. On the day following the reception Mr. Peabody went back in company with his sisters to Georgetown. A large crowd was gathered in Danvers Square, intent on having a last hand-shaking. Tired, as he must have been, it was evidently his intention to proceed with only a passing greeting, but he found his way blocked by a barrier he could not resist. A chain of little children stretched, hand in hand, clear across the wide street. He stopped, and the informal reception held from the open carriage, and his expression of pleasure at the enthusiastic welcome accorded him, made a pleasing close of the great reception.

Branch Library and Peabody Institute. - Reference has been made to the fact that Joshua Silvester had partaken of Mr. Peabody's hospitalities in London. Mr. Silvester went to England in the latter part of 1846, the year after the disastrous fire which swept away his business on Danvers Plains. He took with him his brother-in-law, J. M. C. Noyes, and Jacob Cross, Samuel Knights, Chas. Wait, and one Story, of ICssex, and introduced the business of making pegged shoes in Manchester. Mr. Silvester came back within a year, the others soon following, except Noyes, who remained and carried on the business until his death, about ten years ago. Between 1850 and 1855 Mr. Silvester made four other trips to England. On one of these, in '53, he took letters to

Mr. Peabody, was invited to attend his annual Fourth of July dinner, and being the only Dan vers man in London, was asked much by him concerning the progress of the Institute he had then recently given. This acquaintance thus formed, ripened with later visits.

It was to Mr. Silvester that, soon after the reception here in 1856, Mr. Peabody wrote from Georgetown, requesting a meeting on the arrival of a certain train at the Danvers station. While walking together on the station platform, Mr. Peabody first made known his intention to give ten thousand dollars to establish a Branch Library for Danvers, so that the citizens of this part of the old town would not be obliged to depend on the Institute at South Danvers. He asked Mr. Silvester to bring to him at the Revere House, Boston, a list of suitable persons to receive the gift. Mr. Silvester found him enjoying buckwheat cakes at a late breakfast; and over an informal cup of coffee the list was accepted, with Mr. Silvester's name, which Mr. Peabody insisted upon adding. This letter, soon written, is self explanatory.

" Gentlemen : - During my recent visit to tlie old town of Danvers, I haJ opportunities of examining into and understanding the operations of the Institute, and of ascertaining to some extent the comparative advantages derived from it by different portions of the town.

"In compliance with my oiiginal directions the Institute was located within one-third of a mile of the site of the meeting house formerly under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Walker; and while thus the population of South Danvers is within a reasonable distance of the Institute, the population of Danvers is mostly too remote therefrom, and cannot very conveniently share fully in its privileges. It has occurred to me that a Branch Library might be established in Danvers, in some central position, probably the Plains, which would remedy the existing difficulty and would secure to the inhabitants a more equal participation in the benefits which it was my design to confer upon all.

" I therefore propose to make a donation of Ten Thousand Dollars for the purpose of establishing a Bi-anch Library, to be located as before mentioned provided the suggestions and conditions hereinafter stated are satisfactory to all the parties interested.

" First, the Library shall be called and known as the Branch Libr.^ry of the Peabody Institute, and shall be under thg direction and control of the Trustees of the Institute, iu the same manner and to the same extent as are the funds of the Institute aud its library at South Dauvers.

Second, Three Thousand Dollars of the amount to be expended at once for the purchase of books, and the fitting up a room or rooms for their reception ; the remainder. Seven Thousand Dollars, to be safely invested by said Trustees, aud the income thereof to be used by the Lyceum and Library Committee of the Institute for the increase of the Library, the payment of rent, and for defraying such other expenses as may be incurred in the proper care and management of the same ; the whole income to be used for the exclusive benefit of the Branch Library.

"Third, the inhabitants of Danvers are to be still entitled to the full enjoyment of all the privileges and advantages of the Parent Library and of the Lyceum, and the inhabitants of South Danvers are to have the right of participating equally iu the privileges of the Branch Library. If, however, it should be found hereafter that this arrangement ought to be modified for the better accommodation and the greater advantage of all concerned, then this last provision, as also either of the others, may be altered by general consent ; such alteratien being subject to my approbation.

" It is my desire, gentlemen, that you will, as soon after the receipt of this as convenient, confer with some of our friends in Danvers, in which conference it is my wish that the Lyceum and Library Committee of the Institute should take part, as in all proceedings relating to this matter. "Very respectfully and truly yours,

Mr. Peabody designated Rev. Milton P. Braman, Samuel Preston, Joshua Silvester, James D. Black, Matthew Hooper and William L. Weston, to act in the conference, suggested by the above letter, with the trustees of the Institute and the Lyceum and Library Committee. Appropriate resolutions were passed at a town-meeting held January 12, 1857 ; and at the same time it was voted to offer to the trustees for the use of the branch library certain rooms in the Town-House over the selectmen's and town-clerk's offices. And here the library was situated for about a dozen years. The first delivery of books from the branch library was September 5, 1857. It then contained two thousand three hundred and seventy volumes.

But as early as the March meeting of 1857, the town took action towards securing a suitable lot on which some time to erect a library building. The matter was referred with full powers to a committee consisting of the selectmen and Matthew Hooper and Wm. L. Weston at large; and, by districts, Joshua Silvester, Moses Black, Jr., Aar.u Putnam, Francis P. Putnam, James (loodale, Israel W. Andrews, George Tapley and Frederick A. Wilkins. This committee purchased, for four thousand dollars, about four and a half acres, fronting on Sylvan Street, of land formerly a part of Judge Samuel Putnam's estate. Mr. Silvester, Mr. Hooper and Augustus Mudge were appointed to lay out the ground in a suitable manner. This latter committee expended $347.13 in grading, laying out walks, etc., and they set out two hundred and sixty-one rock-maple trees. In their report they say:

"When Mr. George Peabody was riding through these grounds last August, he seemed to inquire with much interest, what grounds ihey were ; he was answered that it was Peabody Park, a lot purchased by the Town for the Branch Library Building site, and as there is no name sanctioned by the Town, the Committee would advise the adoption of Peabody Park as the futui'e name of this lot. . . . The committee would also express their appreciation of the valuable services of one of their number who has been removed by death, Mr. Matthew Hooper, and add their testimony to his worth as a member of the committee and the high estimation in which he was justly held by citizens of the town."

Ten years passed, long, trying years ; and after the war was over, in the spring of 1866, it was known that Mr. Peabody intended to visit this country again. At a special town-meeting, April 23, 1866, Rev. Milton P. Braman and Daniel Richards were sent to meet Mr. Peabody at New York, and in concert with a delegation from South Danvers to tender him a cordial welcome in behalf of both towns.

This visit was especially auspicious to Danvers. Not contented with the generous gift of the branch library, Mr. Peabody had come prepared to make a far more notable donation. The endowment of the Peabody Institute of Danvers is contained in the following letter :

"Gentlemen: - In a letter to the Trustees of the Peabody Institute at South Danvers, bearing date of the -22d of last month, I expressed to them my purpose of giving, in addition to the Tea Thousand Dollars formerly given by me to them for the foundation of the Branch Library in your town the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars, making in all Fifty Thousand Dollars for the foundation of a separate end distinct Institution in your town ; and with the understandiug that by the necessary muncipal action on the part of South Danvers and Danvers, each town should formally relinciuish all rights and privileges in the Library, Lectures or other benefits of the other ; and I then also stated that it would be necessary that the fund heretofore placed in the hands of the Trustees of the Institute at South Danvers for the especial use of the Branch Library should be transferred to those who should hereafter have it in charge.

" The Town of South Danvers having taken the municipal action indicated in the letter to which I have referred, I now, with the understandiug that the Town of Danvers has taken or shall take like action, designate j'ou, gentlemen, as the persons to whom the funds heretofore held by the said Trustees for the benefit of the Branch Library, shall now be transferred, and give you in addition the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars; which with the amount thus transferred to you, shall be by you held in trust, or expended under the provision of such Trust, for the establishment of an Institute, for the promotion of knowledge and Morality, in the Town of Danvers, similar in its general character to that which now exists at South Danvers.

" Of the amount, I direct that the sum of thirty thousand dollars be and always remain permanently invested as a Fund, of which the annual income shall be expended, under the direction of youi-selves and your successors for the maintenance, increase, and care of the Library, and the delivery of such Lectures or courses of Lectures, as shall be conducive to the purpose propo.sed in the establishment of the institution.

" The remainder of the amount I have placed in your hands as above, shall be used for the erection of a suitable building for the Library and other purposes of the said Institute, which shall be completed within two years from the date hereof. In the event of any and all the vacancies occurring in the number of you, my Tru.stees above named, by resignation, by death, or in what manner soever such vacancy shall occur, I dire'.t that such vacancy shall be filled by the choice of the Inhabitants of the Town of Danvei-s legally qualified to vote at Town-meetings, who shall, at a Town-meeting to be called for the purpose as soon as conveniently may be after such vacancy occurs, make such choice ; and 1 further direct that my said Trustees shall annually make and print a Report, which shall be made public and published setting forth the condition of the Library and of the funds invested.

"And wishing as I do to promote both now, and for all coming time a spirit of Peace, unity and brotherly love, I enjoin upon you and your successors forever the same principles and directions for your guidance in relation to party politics or sectarian theology, or any allusion to them whatever in any of the lectures, meetings or transactions of the Institute, which I have already enjoined upon the Trustees of the Peabody Institute at South Danvers, in my letter September 22, 1866, and I beg to refer you specially to that letter, for the rules to be observed in relation to your future course.

" My earnest wish to promote at all times a spirit of harmony and good will in society, my aversion to intolerance and party rancor and my enduring respect and love for the happy institutions of our prosperous republic, impel me to express the wish that the Institute I have purposed to you shall always be strictly guarded against the possibility of being made a theater for the dissemination or discussion of sectarian theology of party politics ; that it shall never minister in any manner whatever to infidelity, to visionary theories of a pretended philosophy which may be aimed at the subversion of the approved morals of society ; that it shall never lend its aid or influence to the propagation of opinions tending to create or encourage sectional jealousies in our happy country, or which may lead to the alienation of the people of one state er section of the Union from another.

teach political and religious charity, toleration and beneficence, and prove itself to be, in all conditions and contingencies, the true friend of our inestimable Union, of the salutary institutions of our free government, and of liberty regulated by law."

1867, the matter was referred to a committee, of which Wm. L. Weston was chairman, who reported, " There are many considerations which would make it desirable that a building such as is proposed should be more centrally located ; but, after conferring with the Trustees, they are nearly unanimous in tlie conclusion that the interests of the town will be best promoted by its location on the spot originally selected. They therefore recommend the passage of the following vote : That the Selectmen of the town be and they are hereby authorized to transfer to the Trustees of the Peabody Institute the lot known as Peabody Park, for the purpose of erecting thereon, at such time as the Trustees may deem expedieut, a Lyceum and Library building."

1868, a contract was made with Charles H. Smith, of Newburyport, for its construction, for the sum of $18,500. The institute was completed in January, 1870, at a total cost of $29,241. It is a woodeu building, inclined to the Gothic style of architecture, eighty-six by fifty-two feet, and contains on the lower floor the Peabody Public Library, and on the second floor a large lecture-hall.

Mr. Peabody was ag.iin expected from England during the summer of 1870. The formal opening of the institute was deferred to the 14th of July, when he, him-elf, was present. A permanent record of the events of that memorable day was made by the graphic pen of Dr. Braman.

A few months later, and the world received in sadness the news that George Peabody was dead. He died on the 4th of November, 1870, in London. Once more he was borne across the Atlantic, and the cannon of a noble ship of the Queen of England announced to his native land the arrival of his body- According to his dying request he was buried from the place where he was born, and the funeral pomp was such as when a king dies.

The citizens of South Danvers had already honored and perpetuated his name by the acceptance of an act passed bv the Legislature April 13, 1868, that " the town of South Danvers, in the County of Essex, shall take the name of Peabody."

The people of Danvers hold Mr. Peabody's name very dear. His gift to theiu was especially generous, for, were his only motive to remember his birth-place, that might well have been satisfied by his original gift to the old town. The Peabody Institute of Dan-

The first vacancies occurred in 1S71, when Mr. Branian and Mr. Preston resigned. It was then voted that the term of office of trustees elected by the town should be four years ; and Mr. Preston and Melvin B. Putnam were elected. In 1875 Mr. Preston and Ezra D. nines were elected. In 1877 Mr. Perry resigned^ and Dr. W. W. Eaton was elected in his place. In 1879 Mr. Preston and Mr. Hines were re-elected. At the expiration of Dr. Eaton's term, in 1881, J.Peter Gardner was elected. In 1883 Lucius A. Mudge and William T. Damon were elected. In 1885 Mr. Gard ner was reelected. In 1887 Mr. Mudge and Mr. Damon were re-elected, and Joseph W. Woodman was also elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Daniel Richards.

The list of librarians since the opening of the Branch Library, - April 1, 1857, Nathaniel Hills; June 24, 1865, S. P. Fowler, pro tem. ; October 9, 1865, Wm. Rankin, Jr.; January, 1867, A. Sumner Howard; April, 1882, Lizzie M. Howard; January 3, 1885, Emilie K. Davis. A few summers ago the library was closed and the books cla.ssified and catalogued according to modern scientific methods. The special committee were Dr. W. W. Eaton and Rev. W. E. C. Wright, of the Maple Street Church. A contemporaneous report says that " upon the latter rested the heaviest burden of gratuitous work which he has shouldered, although it was a labor of love, and carried through almost without stopping to rest for six months. With what assistance the doctor could find time to give, Mr. Wright has directed and superintended every detail of its preparation, and per formed himself a large part of the most responsible and difficult work."

The whole number of volumes now in the library, 12,024; number of borrowers' cards issued, 2300; average number of books delivered each day, 185.