176 



was a farmer's wife, and always ready for her part in life. 



Charles H. Ireland, of Newbury port, died Sept. 15, 

 1886, aged 70 years. He was a large real estate owner, 

 and well known to the whole community. He joined this 

 Society in 1868. 



John Sumner, of Newburyport, died Aug. 29, 1886, 

 aged 59 years. He was a stove dealer, and took an active 

 part in the Society's exhibition of 1885. He joined the 

 Society in 1856. 



William Britcher, of Newburyport, died June 15, 

 1886, aged 73 years. He was a market gardener for 

 many years, and a very successful one. He became a 

 member in 1856. 



"Major Lewis Allen, of Peabody, died Nov. 15, 1886, 

 at the ripe old age of 92 years, 3 months, 20 days. While 

 he had been an active business man all his life, he made 

 his home on his farm, and so long as his health allowed 

 was an actively interested member of the Essex Agricul- 

 tural Society, being one of its oldest members, and on its 

 Board of Trustees from 1846 to 1857, and Vice President 

 1857 to 1870. He was called to the offices of selectman 

 and assessor, representative in the General Court, trustee 

 of the Peabody Institute, captain of the Danvers Artillery 

 and later major for five years, when he resigned. He was 

 also county commissioner ; and his name will also be found 

 in numerous positions of other important trusts. He was 

 an energetic farmer, combined with his other business ; 

 and to the active part which he took in that natural occu- 

 pation, he was undoubtedly largelj' indebted for his healthy 

 and well-balanced mind and body which he possessed until 

 so near the last of his long life. His manly form and 

 bright, intelligent countenance were always conspicuous 

 at our Fairs ; and well does the writer remember his 

 thoughtful and interested remarks concerning our useful 



