98 



since removed, was the place where the noted Hugh Peters, minister 

 of Salem, preached the first sermon, this fine sheet of water being 

 before him. The text selected for the occasion, was fi-om John iii : 23. 

 " In Enon, near to Salem, because there was much water there," and 

 there has been much water there ever since. 



The naturalists i-epaired to Pleasant Pond, and strolling on its banks 

 found much of interest, and collected manj- specimens in botany and 

 zoology. The extensive swampy land in this section of the town, 

 lying contiguous to Danvers and Topsfield, has long been a favorite 

 resort of the naturalist. The associations that cluster around these 

 scenes are many and pleasant. Hither, in days long past, Cutler, 

 Nichols, Oakes, Pickering, and others, would come for many of their 

 choicest treasures. 



Wenham was formerly a part of Salem, and the early settlers called 

 the village "Enon." When the place was incorporated in 1643, it 

 assumed its present name. The records were kindly shown to those 

 who wei'e interested in these subjects, and contained much valuable 

 information respecting the town. In front of the Town House is 

 placed the old stone guide-post, with its several compai'tments, which 

 informs the traveller that it is, or was, 17 1-2 miles to N. (Newburj'- 

 port), 20 1-2 to B. (Boston), 6 1-2 to I. (Ipswich), 9 1-2 to S. (Salem). 

 It bears date 1710. The distance to Salem, if not to the other places, 

 is now somewhat shortened. The old burial ground, about half a mile 

 distant from the Town Hall, contains manj-^ interesting inscriptions. 

 The oldest legible that was observed was that of " Sarah Fairfield, 

 wife to Walter Fairfield, who died Dec. 18, 1710, in the 71st year of 

 her age." The names of "Skipper Balch," 1714, "Freeborn Balch," 

 1729, also were noticed ; and the name of Cue, a name not given in 

 the elaborate Genealogical Dictionary of Hon. James Savage, appears 

 in this connection : " Mrs. Elizabeth Cue, Avho died Feb. 15, 1726, in 

 the 74th year of her age;" "Robert Cue, who died Sept. 26, 1795, 

 aged 96." Elizabeth Cue was admitted to Wenham Church, April 24, 

 1698, Anna Cue in 1702, and Mary Cue 14, 4, 1719. 



At one o'clock the various parties reassembled in the Town Hall to 

 partake of the collation. At half-past two the meeting was called to 

 order by the President. 



The records of the preceding meeting were read and the corres- 

 pondence and donations were announced. 



The President made a few introductory remarks, alluding to the 

 Field Meeting held in this place some eleven years since, and recalling 

 some of the reminiscences of that occasion and several of the changes 

 that have occurred during this interval. 



Dr. Geouge B. Loring being called upon, alluded to some of the 

 characteristics of Wenham, and gave some interesting reminiscences 



