28 



The route chosen was by cars to Manchester, and thence by vehicles, 

 four and a half miles, over a pleasant road through the woods to Essex. 

 These woQds, famous as they are for former contributions to the her- 

 baria of eminent botanists, tempted the lovers of flora among the 

 pedestrians to turn frequently from the path to gather specimens. 



Those who rode directly to the appointed town, set out on their 

 explorations in diflerent directions. Some to visit the antiquarian 

 relics of this old settlement. The old burying ground is a curious 

 place and the visitor will be likely to pause at the tablet which marks 

 the resting place of Rev. John Wise the first minister. There are 

 other stones more than a century old, and one which "perpetuates 

 the singular virtues of Rev. John Cleaveland, who died April 22, 1799, 

 which day completed his seventy-seventh year." 



From the belfry of the North Church a fine view may be had, in- 

 cluding nearly all parts of the town. The bell in this steeple bears 

 the mark "Revere, Boston, 1797." 



The vestry of the First Church, kindly granted by the society, 

 was used as the common rendezvous. At this place a committee of 

 ladies, members of the Institute, took charge of the lunch baskets out 

 of which they spread the usual pic-nic repast, after which the assem- 

 bled company removed to the North Church to hold the customary 

 meetings for reports and discussions. 



At 2.25 P.M., the meeting was called to order by the President. 

 Records of last meeting read. Donations and correspondence an- 

 nounced. 



The President introduced the literary exercises of the meeting by 

 remarking that ten years ago the Institute held a Field Meeting at 

 Essex; a meeting of marked interest, greatly enjoyed by those who 

 participated, and which had left pleasant memories of the hospitality 

 of the Essex people. The history of Essex well repaid examination. 

 It was set ofl" from Ipswich in 1679 as a separate parish and called 

 Chebacco Parish. The setting otf of the new parish gave rise to 

 troubles similar to those very generally experienced in those times, 

 when such divisions occurred. Chebacco Parish was incorporated as 

 the town of Essex in 1819. Salem had furnished two ministers to 

 Essex. Theophilus Pickering, son of John and Sarah (Burrill) Pick- 

 ering, of Salem, a graduate of Harvard College in 1719 ; in 1725, on 

 account of the sickness of Rev. John Wise, was invited to assist 

 him. He was ordained and settled over the Chebacco Church in 

 October, 1727, and until the year 1742 labored harmoniously among 

 the people. About this time Whitfield's preaching occasioned exten- 

 sive revivals and church controversies and division, in which Mr. 

 Pickering and his people shared. He died in 1747. 



Rev. Robert Crowell, son of Captain Samuel, and Lydia Crowell, of 



