186 THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 



afterwards studied in Edinburgh, and in 1855 took his 

 medical degree at Harvard ; in early life being delicate in 

 health, he travelled much in the Brazils and in the coun- 

 tries bordering on the Mediterranean. 



During his residence in Halifax, Dr. Neilson was the 

 leader of the little Sandemanian church, but finding that 

 his religions opinions and his unwillingness to take an 

 oath, was a bar to his prosperity there, he removed to 

 Salem about 1861, where he found a pleasant home, and 

 which he liked better than any other place he had seen, 

 except Edinburgh. 



Dr. Neilson married Jan. 9, 1838, Susan Allen, born 

 in Dartmouth, N. S., October 13, 1816, died at Salem, 

 Mass., February 21, 1875 ; she was the daughter of John 

 and Sarah (Stayner) Allen, both of whom, as infants, left 

 Boston, after the evacuation, with their parents who were 

 united Empire Loyalists. They count descent from Cotton 

 Mather, and from Admiral Sir Richard Stayner who, as 

 Captain Stayner of the "Speaker," served under Blake and 

 accomplished the famous cutting out expedition of Santa 

 Cruz, April 19, 1657. 



Admitted to membership, January 13, 1864. 



EDWARD B. PHILLIPS, secretary of the Essex Lodge, 

 No. 26, I. O. O. F., was born in Salem, December, 1822, 

 and died April 1, 1889; son of Samuel and Sarah (Car- 

 roll) Phillips ; occupation, a tailor; initiated an Odd Fel- 

 low in Essex Lodge, Feb. 23, 1846 ; he was installed as 

 secretary in July, 1858, and held this office until the day 

 of his death. He was a man of sterling character and be- 

 loved by all who knew him, a faithful officer, and constant 

 attendant at the meetings ; his familiar and genial face will 

 long be missed by his many firm friends and associates ; 

 he was stricken with apoplexy at his post of duty in the 



