186 



ty years, witli the exception of occasional visits to the north 

 during the summer months. He died at Salem, Maich 10, 

 1862. He was highly esteemed for his perfect integrity and 

 sense of honor in all business transactions. 



4. The news of the death of the fourth reached us, a lew 

 days since ; — William Oliver Potter, Capt. of ship Cut- 

 water — washed overboard during a storm near Capo Horn, 

 on his passage from San Francisco to Boston, 18th March, 

 1862. He was son of Jesse and Susan (Punchard) Potter. 

 Born at Salem, Oct. 7, 1820, educated in our schools, and 

 soon after entered upon a maritime life. As a shipmaster 

 he was possessed of rare excellence, sagacious judgment in 

 matters of business, persevering and energetic. In private 

 life he was much endeared to his friends, generous, cheerful 

 and affectionate. 



Meetings have been held as in previous years ; some 

 doubt was expressed as to the practicability, owing to the 

 state of the country ; it was deemed, however, best to con- 

 tinue in the same path as circumstances would admit ; the 

 success has more than realized the expectations. Five Field 

 Meetings have been held at Boxford ; South Lynnfield ; 

 Kettle Cove, Gloucester ; Gravesend, Lynn ; and Middleton ; 

 and eleven Evening Meetings during the winter months. 



Publications. The Historical Collections have been 

 printed as usual — Three volumes have now been issued. 

 The first number of Vol. IV, is ready. 



To the Library, have been added 3492 volumes — 9801 

 serials and pamphlets, exclusive of incomplete files of news- 

 papers unbound. With few exceptions, donations, and have 

 been received from twenty- seven societies, or departments 

 of state and the national government, and seventy- seven 

 individuals. — The principal addition was the bequest of our 



