133 



but it may have an interest for the archaeologist and, peradventure, a 

 place in the historical department. It is a cherished doctrine of mine 

 that the history of old England and New England are identical up to 

 the great Revolution. 



I beg to acknowledge the receipt of books and papers relating to 

 the antiquities of Salem and its vicinity, together with some that 

 exhibit a pleasant picture of the happy life of the good people of the 

 good old town. Long may they continue to enjoy their happiness. 

 I remember with affectionate gratitude their kindness to me and mine 

 when we were poor and strangers among them. Believe me, dear Dr. 

 Wheatland, thy sincere friend and humble coadjutor, 



THOMAS SPENCER. 



NEW CASTLE, MAINE, JULY 29, 1872. 



DEAR SIR : During my pleasant call at the rooms of the Institute, 

 at Plummer Hall, in October last, in company with my friend, Cyrus 

 Woodman, Esq., of Cambridge, I promised to send you a history of 

 the oak arm-chair, which I saw there, which was presented to the 

 Essex Historical Society, June 27, 1821, by the late Robert Brook- 

 house, Esq., of Salem. 



This I should have done long since, had I not been waiting to make 

 a fit disposition of another chair, the mate of yours, at that time in my 

 possession and which has a history similar to yours, down to the time 

 the latter went into the possession of Mr. Brookhouse. 



I have given mine to Bowdoin College, for a Commencement Chair, 

 with a plate added, suitably inscribed. As my letter to President 

 Chamberlain, of that Institution, embraces all that is of interest con- 

 nected with both chairs, including a chest and a tape loom, all of 

 which comprised a set of four pieces of furniture, formerly belonging 

 to the Dennis family, of Ipswich, in your county, I send you by this 

 mail, a copy of the Brunswick Telegraph, of July 26th inst. containing 

 the letter, and it is unnecessary for me to add any thing farther to the 

 subject of this communication. 



Yours very respectfully, 



E. W. FARLEY. 



The following extract from the letter of Mr. Farley to 

 President Chamberlain was then read. 



Its history is this : it was brought from England, probably in 1635, 

 when Daniel and Thomas Dennis, the first emigrants, so far as I can 

 discover, of the Dennis family of Ipswich, Essex County, Mass., came 

 over. This chair, with its mate, similar in style, though a size smaller 



