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facts hitherto neglected, and tending to give us a clearer 

 insight into the early history of the first settlement at 

 Salem, more especially in reference to the ancient topog- 

 raphy of its territory, its development and adaptation to 

 the wants and uses of civilized life. 



Mr. Kimball has devoted considerable time in gather- 

 ing up and placing upon record these fragmentary portions 

 of our history, which, as each generation passes away, will 

 become more and more obscure and difficult to be deter- 

 mined, unless they are rendered more enduring than the 

 imperfect and decaying records of those early days, or 

 the failing memories of those aged persons who are fast 

 passing from our midst. These efforts to preserve a val- 

 uable department of our local history will undoubtedly 

 induce others to continue the examination, so that, in the 

 future, we may be able to present to the historian mate- 

 rials for a full and perfect history of Salem, that shall be 

 a worthy tribute to the memories of the early settlers of 

 Naumkelte. 



This communication, one of a series which Mr. Kim- 

 ball has in preparation, elucidating portions of our local 

 history, was referred to the committee on Publications to 

 be printed in the "Historical Collections." 



A committee, consisting of Messrs. James Kimball, W. 

 P. Upham, Caleb Cooke, Wm. Neilson and John Robin- 

 son, was appointed to nominate a list of officers to be bal- 

 loted for, at the annual meeting. 



Edward Dean of Salem was elected a resident member. 





