Evening journal., 1916-01-18
ACTIVITIES OF THE
State HISTORIANS
Colonel Elliott Submits In
tereSting Report at Annual
Meeting of Body
WOMAN is GIVEN
SOCIETY OFFICE

Officers and directors OF the His
torical Society of Delaware were
elected at the monthly meeting Of the
society last night The first woman
10 be elected to an Office Of the So
ciety was Mrs. Peter T. Wright. who
last night was elected as correspond
ing secretary
President George A. Elliott deliy-
cred report outlining the purposes
and accomplishments OF the society
during the past year
The officers elected included Col
George A. Elliott, president; Gen
eral James Harrison Wilson, IL. S.
A., retired. vice-president Of New
Castle county; Henry Ridgely. vice
president of Kent county, and Judge
Henry c. Conrad. vice-president OF
Sussex county; Christopher l.. Ward,
recording secretary; Mrs. Peter T.
Wright corresponding secretary;
William Bush treasurer; w. G. Tat
nall, histOriographer, and W. G. RAM
sey, librarian The board Of direc-
tors elected is composed of Judge /.
c. Grubb. Robert II. Richards, Thorn
as f. Bayard, j. B. Bird and Francis
II. Hoffecker.
Announcement was made that
Hampton L. Carson, of Philadelphia,
had been secured to deliver a lecture
on benjamin Franklin at a date 70
be announced later Mr.. Carson is
well known in this city and delivered
an address to the society on me
"Early Associations of Pennsylvania
and the Three Counties of Delaware"
about a year ago.
The report Of President Elliott fol-
.ows:
"The Historical Society Of Della
ware aims to collect and safely care
for the priceless relies, documents.
rare books, pieces of furniture. paint
ings and engravings Of early colonial
and later periods in our State his
tory
Our field covers the entire State,
our collection has been brought from
remote sections. and it is our en-
deavor to gather into our building for
safekeeping historical relics OF the
early days Of the builders of this
State. the people Of New Castle, Kent
and Sussex.
"While our small building is full "a
oterhOwing and we have for greater
safety been obliged TO store many OF
our most precious possessions in the
vaults Of two OF our trust companies
there are many articles of great his
toric value and interest ready TO be
90 cnpfnfN FOR nIIn.
lie exhibition just so soon as we have
a fre-proof building and are ready tC
give them proper care.
These historical relics cannot b'
duplicated Il would be impossible
TO replace them by anything insur
ance money could buy, so our ener
gies during the coming year shoulS
and doubtless will be renewed and re
doubled toward securing convenient
safe building of ample size to ALLOW
us 10 exhibit to the citizens and schoo
children Of this State our COLLECTION
which has been the heirlOoms OF pas
generations of Delawareans.
"During the year 1915 we have ha'
several interesting evenings and made
what promises to be great step Tor
ward IN the WOih VI Jul oSNANts'
"The presentation to the society o
n bronze equestrian statuette OF Gen
eral James II. Wilson by H. B. Thomp
son and the speeches made at tina
time by Mr.. Thompson. Judge Georg
GRAY and General Wilson's descrip
ton Of incidents OF the Civil Wal
nroved most interesting TO the larg
number present at the April meeting.
at the May meeting our societ'
took the first step in the movemen
IN purchase and erect an appropriat
equestrian statue in the court hous
square in commemoration Of the his
toric ride and patriotic services o
Caesar Rodney in the achievement @
American Independence and appointe
committee to cooperate win IN
patriotic societies and citizens OF Del
aware in securing the same.
"Tbis movement is meeting with IN
,nnroval of our people generally an
,ur rooms are used as the headquaI
ters of a citizens committee TO carr
The proiect to completion.
at the June meeting Burton AlN'