when the troop that marched with Arnold on the cam- 

 paign against Ticonderoga and Quebec, returned from 

 the expedition, the company of Danvers, Middleton and 

 Topsfield men ate their last meal together under a great 

 pine tree that stood, up to fifty years ago, directly in 

 front of the house now owned by the Society, which house 

 was built by Dr. Richard Dexter, the first regular phy- 

 sician of Topsfield, in 1741. 



Thus does the history of the Essex Agricultural So- 

 ciety, itself covering one hundred years, reach back 

 through the brave deeds and wise actions of other gener- 

 ations to that time when the foundations were laid on 

 which the Peace, Prosperity and Happiness have been 

 builded which are so abundantly shown on our beautiful 

 Fair Grounds, with spacious acres, convenient buildings, 

 and a united membership, eager to pass on the blessings 

 we have received to future years and to new enterprises 

 they will bring. 



Charles J. Peabody. 



CATTLE SHOW and FAIR 



ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 

 TOPSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 



SEPTEMBER 17, 18, 19 and 20 



192 4 



