Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-10-22
American Antiquarian Society.


president, Hon. Stephen Salisbury, in the chair.
The meeting was called TO order at eleven
O'Clock, the following gentlemen being present:
Hon Stephen Salisbury of Worcester; Hon B F
Thomas of Boston; Prof Salisbury of New Ha-
ven; Naterston, Chandler Robbins, ID ID,
Charles Deane, Or Edw Jarvis, Or Samuel Green
of Boston; Prof e Smythe of Andover; Hon
Chas II Bell of Exeter, n Ii; hon Isaac Davis, Hon
F ii Dewey, Hon Bacon, Hon Chap1n, Hon
p Aldrich, col j D Washburn, Col Il Stod-
lard, DR. Rufus Woodward, Samuel Haven, Esq,
DR. Joseph Sargent, Rev 5 Paine, & L Davis, ESQ,
Salisbury, Jr, Nathaniel Paine and VIM Barton
of Worcester.
Alter reading the records Of the last meeting
the secretary, Col. John D. Washburn of this
city, read the report of the council, prepared by
DR.. n. B. Shurtliff OF Boston.
THE REPORT.
After briefly reviewing the performances OF
The routine business of the council since tue last
semi annual meeting of the society, the finances,
cabinet and library, which were shown to be in
a hOurishing condition, the report says that
while we hail with pleasure the additions that
are daily made 10 these treasures, it is a matter
of regret that we cannot make them more SER
viceable for want of complete catalogue in
printed form. The report expresses the hope
that such catalogue may hereafter be found
practicable, and compliments the librarian on
The ialhluness with which the written cata-
,ogue has been kept up. Notwithstanding the
occurred, while the increase in the number Of
books has been large, and their condition has
been greatly improved. The library has been
visited daily by authors and public writers, who
require facts that can only be CLEANED from its
volumes, aud while honey is so literally gathered
from them aud collected together, it is frequent
y returned to our own shelves in various forms,
occasionally much improved and made more
valuable by critical comment and additional
information. In this way the society gains
much, and is repaid most pleasantly and
satisfactorily in the way 1t most desires. Among
the published productions of members of the So
cIety that have beenreceived should be mentioned
the recent work by Hon. Richard Frotbing-
ham, STYLED "The rise of the Republic in the
United States" This volume, printed in an ex.
celent manner, most enticingly invites the
reader 10 a carefully prepared account of the
national birth of the United States, and is really
the first attempt of any writer of reputation to
Law before the historical student q clear and
lucid Interpretation of the important facts on
ibis subject which have been preserved and
handed down to US from the very foundations
of the republic. With minuteness and exact
ness truly cOmmendable in historical writer,
Mr. Rockingham has given in detail the tenden-
cies and progress of events which led to this
great accomplishment, and has presented to the
world one of the most carefully prepared and
valuable text books in republicanism which has
ever been produced. n BY this last
effort our associate has added well earned lau.
res to a reputation sufficiently great to satisfy
the most ambitious writer for fame; but fortu-
nately Mr.. Frothingham's fame was early ac-
complshed, and his late writings have been for
the propagation and dissemination of historic
truths.
Another publication under the direction of
another member of the society is the new edi-
tiOu of the History of the Massachusetts Cen
era Hospital" This elaborate and highly in
teresting volume was written by the late Ma
thanie ingersol Bowditch and privately printed
at his expense in 1851. Previous to his decease
which occurred April 16, 1861, the History had
been so literally distributed by its author that
very few copies only were preserved for distri-
button; many notes of value had been made by
him, and Il provision of his will made ample ar
rangementS for the publication Of new edition
when deemed advisable by the trustees of the
hospital. This work has been done by Rev. Geo
E. Ellis, d. D., in a volume of 1874 pages, in a
conscientious and thorough manner. The vol
ume is replete with interest to the general read
er, and contains fund of valuable information
Dr.. Ellis has faithfully performed his labor of
love which will connect his name with the genial
author, as his former recent labor has with the
fortunate and distinguished Count RumfOrd
The society itself has not been inactive in re-
spect to publication. Besides the usual semi
annual reports, the publishing committee, with
tine able assistance of our learned librarian,
have caused to be put in type about half of the
OF the society. The great care necessary in re-
producing the original work of Mr.. Thomas,
and the large investigation required in properly
preparing the annexation and in conducting the
work through the press, make the work one of
slow progress.
Since our last Semi-annual meeting il has
pleased Divine Providence to remove from this
life one OF our old and much esteemed members
Hon John Prescott Bigelow, after a long life of
public usefulness, died in Boston on the morn
inc OF July 4th, at ripe old age. He was born
in Gro.ou, in this state, Aug. 25 1897, and was
the second son oil Hon. Timothy Bigelow of Gro.
ton, who subsequently moved to Medford in
October, 1906. His first schooling was at Gro.
ton academy, now Lawrence academy, and as a
recognition Of this fact, and in gratitude for the
iayOrs received at that institution, he remember
ed it in his last will by giving il the liberal be-
quest OF ten thousand dollars, subject 10 the life
estate OF an elderly person. He was fitted for
college by Dr.. Stearns of Medford, and entered
Harvard in February, 1872, and graduated in
1873, with distinction, in class that produced
many eminent scholars, lawyers, and clergy.
men. On graduating he began the study oflaw
Whlch ne pursued three years, partly with Hon.
Luther Lawrence, in Groton, and partly with his
father in Boston, and in 1918 was admitted TO
the bar, and entered upon practice with his
tather. In March, 1874, Mr.. Bigelow married
Louisa, the only daughter of the late David L.
Drown, well known landscape painter from
England. With her he lived until her
decease in 1871, and by her had Prescott
Dlgelow, young man of much promise,
VINO died few years ago. Early in life Mr.
Bigelow evinced an interest 10 politics, and was
engaged in the municipal affairs of Boston
many years, holding position in the common
council from 1927 to 1884, being its presiding
officer during two years. Subsequently in tIe
years 1s49, 1850 and 1851 be very acceptabIy
served the city as mayor. From 1928 to 1886.
with the exception Of the year 1884 he WAS q
member Of the house of representatives, and in
1886 he was chosen to succeed Hon. Edward D
Bangs in the Office of secretary OF state, a DO
siton which he held until 1913. In 1915 be was
chosen member of the governors council an
Office which he held four years, until he was
called TO the mayoralty of Boston. On the es-
Enlistment of the public library of Boston, In
1852, Mr. Bigeow was chosen one of the
trustees, and so continued till 1859, when falling
health induced him to resign his position in an
institution in which he had so large an interest.
and TO which he was the earliest pecuniary
beoelactor. He has died at a ripe old age, a
faithful public servant, and full of honors On
the 31st of May, 1913, he was chosen member
of this society, and on the 21st Of October he
was elected as councillor Of the society, an
office which he held at the time of his decease
As recognition OF his regard for the institu-
ton, he left it bequest of $1,000, which will
soon be paid into the treasury without any COM
dition as to its use, he trusting firmly in the
gOCd judgment and discretion of the society in
all matters concerning the welfare of the insti.
tuition.
Another hoaored member of the society, VIM
Thomas, Esq, Of Boston, grandson of the
founder OF the society, died June 10Th, 1872. at
the age Of GA years. He was actively engaged
for many years in mercantile pursuits, and was
president of the Webster bank from its institu.
ton until he was compelled 10 reinquish all
business on account of failing health. He was
chosen member of the society Oct. 23d, 1850
and always expressed an interest in the institu-
uon which bis grandfather had so richly en-
dowed. He was public spirited man. and char.
acterized by genial temperament and liberal
disposition.
John Newman Wilson, NJ D., died at New
ark, Ohio, the 9th of the present month He
was born IN Virginia, Nov. p, 1902. Sixty-six
years OF his life were passed in Newark and its
vicinity. lie studied medicine with DR.. John j -.
Brce, and practiced his profession theoretically
and successfully for more than thirty years,
having widely extended practice all that time.
de was public spirited citizen, and his iDfiu-
ence was always found in favor of good morals.
Daring the rebellion his patriotism was con.
spicuous. He was one of the chief founders of
tue Licking County Pioneer Historical and An.
tiquarian society" in 1867, aud a number of
their most interesting and valuable papers.
treating on antiquarian and historical subjects,
are from his pen. Integrity of character and
candor and devotion to truth were his prominent
characteristics. He gave much time during the
latter part of his life TO the investigation and
preservation OF mounds and traces of aboriginal
occupation in the neighborhoo1 of Newark The
death pf Dir Wilson will ha e1xyr fol