156 



Eesolvfd, That this society express its sympathy for the family of 

 the deceased in their bereavement, by communicating to them a copy 

 of these resolutions ; and that the same be recorded by the secretary. 



FIELD MEETING AT METHUEN, THURSDAY, SEPT. 15, 1870. 



THE last Field Meeting of the present season was held at Methuen, 

 this day, and was well attended. An extra train at 9.15 A.M., from 

 Salem to Lawrence, carried the principal portion, and others went by 

 the regular 11.35 train. From Lawrence to Methuen the street rail- 

 way cars were the means of conveyance. 



Methuen is a pleasant and flourishing town on the north bank of 

 the Merrimack River, and was formerly comprised within the limits 

 of Haverhill. 



In 1725, on petition of the inhabitants, an act of incorporation was 

 passed constituting the west part of Haverhill a distinct township 

 under the name of Methuen. The name is presumed by some to be 

 derived from Lord Methven, and is the only town in the United States, 

 and probably in the world, bearing this name. The origin of this 

 name, and why it should have been adopted, are interesting subjects 

 for the local historians to investigate. There is a parish of Methven 

 in Perthshire, Scotland, in which Methven castle and the estates of the 

 Lords of Methven are, or were, located. The surface of the township 

 is undulating, with a pleasing variety of hill and dale. The soil is gen- 

 erally very good. The Spicket River flows through the town and has 

 a fall of thirty feet which furnishes a good supply of water power 

 for manufacturing purposes, and around which has grown up a thriv- 

 ing and active village. L^ce many of the flourishing towns of the 

 Commonwealth, it commenced on a small scale, but among the first 

 things upon which action was taken at the original town meeting 

 were the interests of religion and education. And the town has al- 

 ways since been noted for its liberal support of the church and the 

 school-house. The High School, now under the charge of Mr. H. C. 

 Hallowell, is maintaining an excellent standing, and the common 

 schools of the eight districts are doing a good work in educating the 

 young. There are four churches in the town : Congregational, Rev. 

 M. G. Grassie, pastor; Baptist, Rev. N. M. Williams; Universalist, 

 Rev. C. A. Bradley; and Methodist, Rev. James Noyes. One of the 

 principal industrial interests of the town is the manufacture of hats ; 

 three large factories are devoted to this enterprise, and daily produce 

 from seventy-five to one hundred and twenty-five dozen hats each. 

 The Methuen Cotton Mill is being considerably enlarged, and is an 



