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name, copied from the Topsfield of England. Several 

 disputes had arisen relative to the boundary lines by 

 which Topsfield was divided from Boxford, Wenham and 

 Ipswich, with curious incidents growing out of those dis- 

 putes. In one instance the boundary passed directly 

 through a house whose owner refused to pay his rates in 

 either Topsfield or Ipswich, but when dunned by either 

 town, would claim that he belonged in the other; Tops- 

 Held finally got rid of him by a change of the line so that 

 the house was all in Ipswich. Mr. Petibody alluded to 

 the spirit of liberty which had always been cherished by 

 the people of Topsfield, whether in the days of the revo- 

 lution, "when all the fighting men of the place were off 

 to Charlestown," during the war of 1812-15, or in the 

 dark days of the recent conflict. 



After further remarks by Messrs. Phillips, Todd, 

 Holmes and others, the following resolution, offered by 

 Mr. E. N. Walton, was unanimously adopted : — 



liexolved, That the thanks of the Essex Institute be 

 tendered to Messrs. Richard Phillips, C. T. P. Floyd, 

 Thomas W. Pierce, Capt. Morgan, Charles Herrick, B. 

 P. Adams, Bcnj. Poole, C J. Peabody and other citizens 

 of Topsfield for kind attentions during this visit, and 

 also to the proprietors of the Methodist Church for the 

 use of the meeting house. 



Adjourned to meet at the rooms to-morrow (Friday) at 

 noon. 



Adjourned Meeting, Fbiday, June ID, 1874. 



"Was held this day at noon. 



J. A. Allen of Cambridge, and James Coolidge of 

 Salem were elected resident members. 



