HISTORICAL NOTICE 



OF THE 



ESSEX INSTITUTE. 



On visiting any institution, the first questions suggested, are, its 

 objects and its utility; these have been frequently discussed, partic- 

 ularly in notices of institutions of a similar organization to our own, 

 and their importance is universally admitted The second relate to 

 the history of the institution, and are modified by circumstances pe- 

 culiar to each. The inquiry is frequently made, Whence sprang 

 these libraries and these collections ? How are they sustained ? To 

 whom are due the inception and development of plans that have 

 produced these results? The consideration of these and kindred 

 subjects is the object of the present notice. 



THE ESSEX INSTITUTE 



was formed in 1848, by the union of the Essex Historical and the 

 Essex County Natural History Societies. 



ESSEX HISTOEIOAL SOCIETY. 



The Rev. William Bentley, D. D., the distinguished antiquarian 

 and scholar, of Salem, died December, 1819. During his pastorate 

 in this place for nearly forty years, he made a large and valuable col- 

 lection of books, pamphlets, manuscripts, &c., illustrative of the 

 history of this section of New England. A desire to obtain and se- 

 cure for Salem this collection, amassed with so much care, prompt- 

 ed the idea of the formation of the Historical Society. 



Application was made to the executor of the estate, who stated 

 that if a suitable society should be formed for their reception and 

 safe keeping, he would place them in its charge. With this encour- 

 agement, and mainly through the exertions of George A. Ward, 

 several gentlemen held a meeting on the 21st of April, 1821, Hori. 

 Joseph Story presiding, and formed themselves into an association 

 under the name of the Essex Historical Society, whose object should 

 be to cooperate with other kindred societies in collecting and pre- 

 serving all authentic memorials relating to the civil history of Essex 

 county, and the eminent men who have resided within its limits, 

 from its first settlement ; also, all facts relating to its natural his- 

 tory and topography ; and thus to provide the most ample materials 



