i6i 



engage in the fishing business with his father, and for 

 many years the firm of Epes Merchant & Son was one of 

 the best known establishments of the old town. Mr. 

 Merchant was a director in the Gloucester National Bank 

 for thirty-eight and one-half years and President from 

 1871 to time of death. He was connected with the 

 Cape Ann Savings Bank for many years as Trustee, was 

 one of the incorporators and President of Oak Grove 

 Cemetery Association from 1855 ; director of the 

 Gloucester Fishermen's and Seamen's Widows' and 

 Orphans' Association ; and served upon the Town Hall 

 building committee in 1869, and a member of the Board 

 of Aldermen in 1874. He also served as captain under 

 the old militia law. He was a man of methodical habits, 

 conservative views, of generous instincts and unimpeach- 

 able integrity." He became a member in 1872. 



Moody S. Dole, of Georgetown, who died March 10, 

 1887, was twenty-five years ago an active member of 

 this society and was noted for his skill as a ploughman, 

 taking premiums for a number of years. He became a 

 member in 1855. 



Samuel Hunt, of Ipswich, died March 9, 1887, aged 

 73 years. He was an overseer in the Hosiery Mills in 

 that town and joined this society about fifteen years ago. 



Nathan W. Harmon, of Lawrence, died Sept. 16, 

 1887, aged 74 years, 8 months. He served this Society 

 in 1851 on Committee of Essays and Reports and as 

 Trustee in 1852, '53 and '54. He became a member in 

 1849. He was always interested in the public schools of 

 his city. Served one term as Senator in the General 

 Court. Was Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue, 

 and for the last ten years of his life Judge of the Police 

 Court in Lawrence. 



Henry A. Breed, perhaps the oldest member of the 



Essex Agricultural Society, was born in 1798 and died in 



1887. He was engaged in many enterprises, including 



the great " Eastern Land Speculation," by which he lost 



n 



