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in better order than when kept in this manner, and this we 

 might expect, for they are thus kept in the condition in which 

 they grew, more tlian when kept in a cellar. This is following 

 tlie course that nature has marked out. Her pages are ever 

 open before us, written in legible characters, and they who are 

 wise observe them, and regard their teachings. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE ESSEX AGRICUL- 

 TURAL SOCIETY. 



BY BENJAMIN P. WARE. 



The idea of the formation of this society originated with 

 Col. Timothy Pickering, who, at the head of forty men, made 

 the first armed resistance to British forces, February 28th, 

 1775, at North Bridge, Salem.. He called a meeting of farm- 

 ers, and other inhabitants of Essex County, at Cyrus Cum- 

 mings' tavern in Topsfield, Monday, the 16th of February, 

 1818. Ichabod Tucker was chosen Moderator, and Daniel 

 Cummings, secretary ; these, with John Adams, Paul Kent, 

 and Elisha Mack, were appointed a committee to report a plan 

 of organization. 



Timothy Pickering was chosen President, and William 

 Bartlett, Dr. Thomas Kittredge, John Heard, and Ichabod 

 Tucker, Vice Presidents, Leverett Saltonstall, Secretary, and 

 Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland, Treasurer. 



Timothy Pickering was. annually chosen President, for ten 

 years to 1829 ; Frederick Howes, four years, from 1829 to 

 1833; Ebenezer Mosely, three years, from 1833 to 1836, James 

 James H. Duncan, three years, from 1836 to 1839 ; Joseph 

 Kittridge, from 1839 to 18-11, two years; Leverett Saltonstall, 

 four years, from 1841 to 1845 ; John W. Proctor, seven years, 

 from 1845 to 1852 ; Moses Newell, four years, from 1852 to 

 1850 ; Richard S. Fay, two years, from 1856 to 1858 ; Daniel 



