169 



The President meutioiied that the fiftieth anniversary of the organ- 

 ization of the Essex Historical Society would occur on Friday, the 

 21st of April next, and suggested the propriety of having some notice 

 taken of this event. After remarks from several members, on motion 

 of Mr. James Kimball it was voted: That arrangements be made for 

 an appropriate celebration, under the directions of the Lecture Com- 

 mittee. 



Mr. James Kimball exhibited a map containing an outline of the 

 Peninsula of Salem situated between the North and South Kivers, 

 with the indentations and coves, as it was in 162G, when Roger 

 Conant and his companions landed and formed the first permanent 

 settlement in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, so far as it could be 

 ascertained by consulting the records, and from other sources. He 

 gave a brief description of the same, tracing the shore line from the 

 northeastern point near the terminus of Beverly Bridge to the square 

 in Peabody, thence around the neck which has undergone few changes, 

 and on the southern side to the mill pond. 



The pliysical character was noted, the land on the Xorth Biver 

 rising in some places somewhat abruptly from the river, especially on 

 the western end, gradually tending to the south. The south side had 

 also several abrupt hills with openings between, sloping down to the 

 river. These elevations were no doubt covered with wood ; the pine 

 on the sand hills on the north, and the harder woods on stronger lands 

 in the centre and on the south. There were depressions of swampy 

 lands (now clearly indicated) extending nearly the whole length; un- 

 doubtedly shallow ponds at some early period filled in with vegeta- 

 ble accumulations and by the denudation of the higher lands ; the 

 eastern portion about sixteen feet and the western about twenty-two 

 feet above mean high water. This irregularity of surface has been 

 modified, the elevations furnishing materials for the depressions, so 

 that at the present time we find it comparatively level. Many of our 

 streets have been raised since the commencement of the present 

 century, from one to three feet. The soil is light and sandy loam with 

 gravel and sand underlying; in some places, with a substi-atum of 

 clay. Those places that were originally swampy are clearly defined 

 by the black muck underlying. After alluding to the ledges in the 

 western section of the town, the surface rocks, and the character of 

 the vegetation, he concluded his interesting communication with a 

 brief resume of the principal changes that have occurred, especially 

 those within the recollection of our older inhabitants. 



Mr. Kimball intends to speak on this subject, more fully, though 

 perhaps in a somewhat modified form, at a future meeting of the 

 Institute. 



Essex Ixst. Bulletin. ii 22 



