The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-11

The annual report of Clarence s. Brig
ham. librarian OF the society, was first
heard In part 1t was as follows
LIBRARIANS REPORT.
During the past year there have been
recorded in the accession book Ss4 bound
volumes, 1892 pamphlets and l25 miscel-
lsneous items OF this total of 1911 ae-
cessions 1881 have come through gift'
1914 through exchange apd 1876 by pur-
chase The preponderance of gifts in the
above tabulation shows 10 how large an
extent the library is dependent upon its
members and interested friends for its
increase In many cases these gifts have
been made with an apology that they
were too trivial and hardly worth the
giving. But IL is the ephemereal pamph
let and the unmportant report that Is
liable to be asked for by the next gen
Grafton. just as We today are searching
and too often I'm vain. for the transltory
publication OF a half-century ago.
Among the more important gifts oF
the wear may be mentioned the original
manuscript Of Thomas Fenner's will.
dated 1876 and drawn in the handwriting
OF Roger williams. from Mr. Herbert n.
Fenner; three volumes or the records
OF the Powder Mill Turnpike corporation,
1si0-1S73 from Mr.. William ID, Ely;
silver spoon that belonged TO the wlfe OF
President James Manning, from Mr..
George F. Holroyd: the original deed
and plat Of the old Union burial ground,
from Mr. Edward S. Aldrich; several ar
ticles Of 18th century clothing and uni
forms from Mr. Edward d. Morris:
number Of mementos and accoutrements
used by the Rev. Frederic Denison when
a chaplain in the civil war. and present
ed by his daughter, Miss Frederika Den
ison; a table owned in the Fenner fam
ilv. besides several household utensils OF
the 18th century. from Mr.. Samuel A.
Hazard: volume OF newspaper clippings
on the Dorr war from Mrs. Norman NJ
Isham: a manuscript account Of the Up
dixie family and a number Of genealogical
volumes. from Mr. u Berkeley Updike
of Boston. and stephen Hopkins news
paper account OF the planting and growth
Of Providence. printed in the Providence
Gazette in 1865, from our associate mem
ber Mr.. Charles III. Hart OF Philadel-
pha
"A collection OF manuscripts relating
10 the family Of Gov. Fenner dating from
1740 to 1874. and consisting of 5l pieces.
has been presented to the society by Miss
Elizabeth 3 Dexter Of this city. Among
the papers are several political letters
an interesting journal kept by Miss Eliza
w Rridgham while OF a tour through
New England and New York I'm 1918, and
q petition from John whipple 10 the
town Of Providence. dated July %. 1872.
The library has also recently acquired
q collection ~ $50 papers relating 10 the
Waterman family of Warwick. dating
from i745 10 1882 and includingg colonial
and revolutionary muster rolls, letters
regarding the defence of Warwick.
and many miscellaneous revolutionary
papers"
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
Prof Hardness delivered the annual
address Of the president Of the society
taking for. his subject Some Phases In
the Development Of History" with spe-
cial reference to tho old and the new
way OF treating historical subjects Prof
darkness contrasted the methods and re-
suits Of the older school OF historical
writers with those OF the younger gen
Grafton Of minute investigators 90 whom
are given the title OF scientific historians
The treasurers report was submitted
by Robert T.. Brown. treasurer of the
society. who reported the finances to be
In very satisfactory condition. The re-
port Of the committee on grounds and
buildings was next submitted. followed
by that of the library committee.
Then did Judge stlness utter his glow
inss words of tribute 10 the memory of
The late Judge Rogers for many years
president 81 the historical society. and
lons an active member Recalling his