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William Putnam Richardson, M. J)., of Kendall, Illi- 

 nois, formerly of Salem. He died on Friday, March 27, 1857, 

 at his residence, after a few days illness. He was a man re- 

 spected and esteemed by all Avho knew him, and his memory 

 will be long and pleasantly remembered by many of our citi- 

 zens and fellow-members. He was a son of William P. and 

 Deborah (Lang) Richardson, born at Salem, August 15, 1813. 

 Educated in our schools, he was prepared for college in the 

 Latin School, and graduated at Harvard University in 1834. 

 He studied medicine with the late Dr. A. L. Peirson, and in 

 1837 received the degree of M. D., after which he entered the 

 practice here and continued until 1846, when he removed to 

 Kendall, Kendall County, Illinois. There he had been chieily 

 engaged in horticultural and agricultural pursuits, for which 

 his fine taste and love of natural history peculiarly fitted him. 

 While in Salem he was an active and useful citizen, interested 

 in whatever tended to improve and elevate the community. He 

 was a valuable member of the school committee, and a patron 

 and co-worker in various public institutions. He connected 

 himself with the Natural History Society soon after its organi- 

 zation, and was an efficient officer from that time until his 

 removal from our vicinity. To his exertions and indefatigable 

 industry in the early stages of our corporate existence we are 

 much indebted for our present condition. 



During the last Summer and Autumn four Field Meetings 

 were held at Topsfield, Manchester, North Danvers, and Lynn- 

 field. They were well attended and excited considerable 

 interest ; — many have expressed a wish that they should be 

 continued the ensuing season. The Evening Meetings have 

 been held with much vigor and activity, commencing at the 

 first of November and continuing on the second and fourth 

 Fridays of each month. Several meetings were likewise held 

 in February and March, to act upon the proposals of the Salem 

 Athengeum for the occupancy of a portion of Plummer Hall. 

 Satisfactory arrangements have been finally agreed upon, and a 

 committee appointed to attend to the duty of removing the 



