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organization has been erected. He died on the twenty- 

 sixth of the January foHowing, at the age of thirty. At 

 a meeting in 1850, a few members, consisting of Drs. 

 A. Nichols and George Osgood, and Messrs. S. P. 

 Fowler, Thomas Cole, George D. Phippen and others 

 made explorations to collect specimens and then met in 

 the parlor of the old farm-house,* that stood on the site of 

 the present Chebacco House, to talk over such scientific 

 topics as the occasion might have suggested. He also 

 spoke of the meetings in 1860 and 1862. On these two 

 occasions our friend Hon. Allen W. Dodge, who is with 

 us this day, presided, and cordially welcomed the mem- 

 bers and their friends to the town of his adoption. The 

 numbers in attendance were large, and the meetings were 

 very successful. 



The President then introduced Mr. George D. Phip- 

 pen, one of the early members of the Natural History 

 Society, who was present at the early meetings of the 

 society in this place, and has always taken a great in- 

 terest in its proceedings. 



Mr. Phippen then came forward and made further ref- 

 erence to the early explorations referred to, and alluded to 

 the progress made in science not only from the early times 

 of ^V'inthrop, but through the inHuence of meetings such 

 as these. He considered Dr. Cutler the first botanist 

 who was indigenous to the soil, but he referred not only to 

 him but also to the late Dr. George Osgood of Danvers, 



♦The house was a good specimen of the farm-houses of the last century, one 

 story, gambrcl roof in front and lean-to in the rear, running down near to the 

 ground. In the open lawn in front was the well with a long well sweep; around 

 and near it stood four ash trees, planted there, saith tradition, to keep the snakes 

 from the well. It was known as '■ Knowlton's." being owned and occupied by an 

 elderly lady of that name. Small parties frequented tlie place, bringing with them 

 their own supplies. 'Mis. Kuowlton would prepare the repast, and a small fee and 

 the remnants of the feast were considered an ample compensation. 



