94 



his taste lay in other directions, especially in early New 

 England history. His nuraerons antiqnarian and his- 

 torical works will canse him to be long remembered. He 

 was for many years one of the trustees of the Boston 

 Public Library, a member of the School Committee, and 

 for three years Mayor of the city. He was also member 

 of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College, and for a 

 long period the Secretary. A ceaseless activity character- 

 ized his whole life, and no man was more familiarly 

 known, or had connected himself with so many associa- 

 tions, either of a permanent or temporary purpose. In 

 July, 1836, he Avas married to Sarah Eliza, daughter of 

 Hiram Smith, of Boston. 



Meetings. — During the summer and early autumn five 

 Field Meetings have been held. The first at Ipswich, on 

 Wednesday, June 3, 1874. At the afternoon session, in 

 the First Church, Prof. E. S. Morse, of Salem, spoke on 

 " the fertilization of flowers ;" Mr. F. W. Putnam gave 

 an account of the shell heaps at the Light House and at 

 Eagle Hill ; Rev. T. Morong an historical notice of the 

 Public Library the gift of Augustine Heard, Esq. Second y 

 at Topsfield, Thursday, June 18, 1874. The afternoon 

 session, in the Methodist Church, was attended by a goodly 

 number of the citizens. Rev. James H. Fitts of Tops- 

 field communicated a paper on " Robert B. Thomas, the 

 maker of the Farmer's Almanac;" Vice-president F. W. 

 Putnam gave an account of the fishes taken from Ipswich 

 River ; Charles J. Peabody gave a brief history of Tops- 

 field ; Dr. Jeremiah Spoiford of Groveland, B. P. Adams 

 of Topsfield, Richard Phillips, Samuel Todd and Charles 

 H. Holmes, offered remarks. Third, at West JSTeivhury, 

 Thursday, July 18, 1874. At the session, in the Second 

 Church, George D. Phippeu of Salem, spoke on the flowers 



