172 THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 



ton. In early life he exhibited not only much native tact 

 and energy but versatility, also some literary and dra- 

 matic talent and gave occasional racy contributions to the 

 press. Fond of reading and an independent thinker, bis 

 mother wit, restless activity and public spirit made him a 

 leader in every community in which he lived. He held 

 several responsible offices both in Massachusetts and Ver- 

 mont, but in every case the office sought him, not the man 

 the office. He was an active and energetic man and hon- 

 orable in all his dealings. He was admitted to member- 

 ship, Aug. 4, 1857. 



Edward R. Seccomb died suddenly from disease of 

 the heart, at his residence in West Newton on Monday, 

 Aug. 15, 1887. He was the son of Eben and Mary 

 (Marston) Seccomb and was born in Salem, Mass., May 

 14, 1816. He was descended ivova Richard} Seccomb, born 

 in Cornwall, Eiighmd, in 1645, arrived in Boston, Oct., 

 1680, finally settled in Lynn, where he died in 1694; 

 through JoJiii^ who married Mehitable Simmons of Bos- 

 t(m ; Simmons ,'^ hovn in Boston, May 17, 1711, married 

 Elizabeth Rand, died in Derryfield, N. H., 1740 ; Joseph,'^ 

 born in Derryfield, N. H., Dec. 7, 1736, married Ruth 

 Brooks of Medford, resided in Dan vers and Salem, died 

 Nov., 1810; Eben, born June 19, 1778, merchant in Sa- 

 lem, married, 2nd, Mary Marston of Salem died June 24, 

 1835 ; and they were the parents of the subject of this 

 sketch. Mr. Seccomb commenced his business life as a 

 Hour and grain merchant in company Avith his brother 

 Eben, at the head of Central wharf, Salem. Some years 

 later he was interested in an oil and candle factory in South 

 Salem, for many years engaged in the African trade at the 

 head of the Boston house of Seccomb and Taylor. He 

 had resided in Brookline, Mass., and during his residence 



