query why so many names appear as the authors of an- 

 nual addresses who are not practical farmers. The point 

 cannot be better illustrated than here in this ancient and 

 historic Haverhill. 



A few years since, an instructive address was delivered 

 by your brilliant young District Attorne}'.- Readers of 

 the wonderful self-revealing " Diary " of Chief Justice 

 Samuel Sewall — the brave Witchcraft Judge, who pub- 

 licly acknowledged his error — himself an Essex man, 

 will appreciate the interest which the sons take in the 

 affairs of the old County. Sewall's " Diary " abounds in 

 references to Brother Moody, and whoever bears in his 

 veins the colonial blood of the Sewalls and Moodys must 

 respond to the call for service from his kin. 



Sewall's '• Diary " also lovingly dwells upon many 

 cherished visits at Brother Northend's. Hence a descen- 

 dant of Brother Northend of the old stock, going out to 

 Nature for strength for forensic toils, came to the Society 

 with words of experience. 



Another man of our own time, whose family lines run 

 back to the planting of the colony, whose genial pres- 

 ence has been a benison to our annual gatherings — the 

 beloved Sheriff — has been a welcome speaker. 



Timothy Pickering, who delivered the first address and 

 was the organizer and first President of this Society, may 

 not be called a practical farmer, but every fibre of his 

 being was in close touch with the men of the soil who 

 made Essex County historic ground. 



Before the tragic scenes at Lexington and Concord had 

 startled the world, Col. Timothy Pickering and the men 

 of Salem had made (February 28 — 1775) the first armed 



