394 



trated into the upper towns of New Hampshire, and discov- 

 ered many such things, which, when hrouglit together in a 

 form to he accessible to inquirers, will undoubtedly afford 

 enough of interest to fully repay the troulde of searching 

 til em out. 



Geo. D. Pliippen of Salem, stated as a historical item of 

 curious interest, that tradition has long held that the first 

 meeting house in Salem was not pulled down after its ceas- 

 ing to be used in that capacity, hut was removed, about 

 1639, to some spot near the road to South Danvers, and em- 

 ployed for other purposes for sometime afterward. Recent- 

 ly, it has been asserted that the old building, or its frame, 

 yet exists ; that it stands on the land of Mr. David Nichol&, 

 at the foot of Gallows Hill, and is the same structure that 

 did service for some years under the name of Tompkin'slnn. 

 It seems desirable that the correctness of these statements 

 be tested, and that the Institute should take action on the 

 case for that purpose, particularly as Mr. Nichols had ten- 

 dered the building to the society for their disposal. He 

 moved that a committee be raised to inquire into the facts 

 of the case and to report what action the Institute ought to 

 take in reference thereto. 



The motion of Mr. Phippen was adopted, and Messrs. C. M. 

 Endicott, D. A. White, F. Peabody, S. M. Worcester, and 

 George D. Phippen were appointed on said Committee. 



C. M. Tracy introduced the following, which was unan- 

 imously adopted : — 



Resolved, that the thanks of the Essex Institute be presen- 

 ted to the Selectmen of Saugus for their kindness in permit- 

 ting us the use of the Town Hall on this occasion ; also to 

 the Abanselt Division of the Sons of Temperance for the use 

 of their room ; to Messrs. Benjamin F. Newhall and Richard 

 Mansfield for their friendly interest and attention; to Messrs. . 



