The Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society (Volume 26) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1921. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1920. The membership of the Society on December 31, 1920 was 227. Nine new members have been added, two have resigned, sixteen have been dropped for non-payment of dues and five have died, viz: Miss H. Rose Towne and Miss Bessie Dole Peabody, both charter members, Miss Sarah R. Bradstreet who became a member in 1895, Miss Abbie A. Smith, and Ezra D. Hines of Danvers who joined the Society in 1896. There are now twenty-four charter members on the list who joined the Society on January 4, 1895. Because of the severe winter weather and the coincidence of a series of stormy evenings the annual meeting which should have been held on January 9th was postponed again and again and finally was not held until May 14th. In consequence, but two meetings have been held during the year, both of which were addressed by the President, the first time on "The Influence of Modern Methods of Transportation upon the Life and Character of Topsfield" and the second time on "The Story of a Peabody House and its Neighborhood." Volumes I and II of Topsfield Town Records have been published with the cooperation of the Town. Volume I contains 447 pages and Volume II, 436 pages. These volumes include the town clerk's records from 1659 to the end of the year 1778. The Secretary has in his possession a typewritten copy of the clerk's records following these volumes to the year 1810 which is available for publication if at any time the town should consider it desirable to continue the work. The printing of these records among many other interesting items reveals the fact that the first meeting house built on the Common in 1703 was a square building with a hip roof and a turret or cupola...