lenged, by their action, the government to sustain the law. The
law was soon repealed, and by degrees, all penal laws in relation
to such matters, were erased from the statute book. Thank God
for the progress of religious liberty.
209
special meeting, Tuesday evening, September 27.
Present : Messrs. Abbot, F. W. Brigham, Crane,
Dickinson, Forehand, Gould, Houghton, Hubbard,
J. A. Howland, C. Jillson, G. Maynard, Meriam,
Nichols, Otis, Paine, F. P. Rice, Sawyer, Stiles,
E. H. Thompson, Tucker and Wall, members ; and
fourteen visitors. — 35.
Mr. Thompson, United States Consul at Merida,
gave an interesting account of his experiences in
Yucatan, covering many details of his explorations
among the ruins of that country, and of his daily
life as Consul. He also exhibited a lar^e collection
of photographs, natural products and relics belong-
ing to that section."^
Remarks by several gentlemen followed, and on
motion of Dr. Brigham the thanks of the Society
were given to Mr. Thompson for his instructive and
entertaining address.
Regular meeting, Tuesday evening, October 4.
Present : Messrs. Abbot, Crane, Dickinson,
Gould, Harlow, Harrington, Hosmer, J. A. How-
land, Hubbard, C. R. Johnson, Lynch, G. Maynard,
*The substance of a jjortion of Mr. Thompson's remarks is contained in a
communication from him printed in the Report of the Department of Archa;-
ology and General History.
37
2IO
Meriam, Otis, Parker, W. W. Rice, Sawyer, Wall,
C. G. Wood, members ; and thirteen visitors. — 32.
The Librarian reported 106 contributions.
Mr, Wall read his essay entitled, "The Pilgrims
of Plymouth, and the Puritans of Massachusetts
Bay, viewed from a Quaker standpoint."*
Remarks on the subject of the paper were also
made by Hon. W. W. Rice, Col. Israel Plummer,
and Messrs. Rowland and Johnson.
Regular meeting, Tuesday evening, November i.
Present : Messrs. Abbot, Crane, Dodge, Dickin-
son, Estey, Gould, Hosmer, Hubbard, C. Jillson,
Lee, Meriam, G. Maynard, Otis, Phillips, F. P. Rice,
Staples, J. A. Smith, Tucker and Wall, members ;
and twelve visitors. — 31.
The Librarian reported 102 additions during the
month.
Mr. George Maynard gave his illustrated lecture
on "The Topography and Antiquities of the Holy
Land."
Rev. Mr. Hosmer of Auburn related some inci-
dents of his visit to Palestine.
*This paper has been published by Mr. Wall.
211
After a vote of thanks to Mr. Maynard, and a
brief consideration of certain proposed changes in
the Constitution, the meeting was adjourned.
Annual meeting, Tuesday evening, December 6.
Present: Messrs. Barrows, Crane, Dickinson,
Gould, Lawrence, Leonard, Lynch, Meriam, G.
Maynard, F. P. Rice, Stedman, members ; and two
visitors. — 13.
Franklin P. Rice was appointed Secretary of the
meeting.
Henry L. Shumway of Boylston was elected a
corresponding member, and Franklin F. Phelps of
Worcester was admitted an active member.
The Librarian reported 433 gifts to the Society
since the November meeting.
The Treasurer and Librarian presented their
annual reports as follows : —
212
TREASURER'S REPORT.
To the Officers and Members of
The Worcester Society of Antiquity :
Gentlemen : — In accordance with the requirements of the By-
Laws of this Society, I herewith present this Annual Report,
showing the receipts and expenditures of the Society from Dec.
7, 1886 to Dec. 6, 1887, as follows :
CASH RECEIVED.
Assessments,
Admissions,
Life memberships,
Donations,
Sale of publications,
Balance from 1S86,
Dr.
^491 00
24 00
5000
207 00
5 00
$777 00
22 75
CASH PAID.
1887.
Cr.
Kent,
^175 00
Gas,
804
Water.
2 00
Printing Proceedings,
204 00
Printing Constitution,
10 00
Postage,
368
Printing No
tices,
28 20
Collecting,
3450
Supplies for
Librarian,
20 46
Librarian,
37 54
Interest,
1698
Smith note.
23795
^577835
Balance on
hand.
21 40
$799 75 $799 75
There are admission fees and assessments due the Society to
the amount of $ 146.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY F. STEDMAN, Treasurer.
213
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
The whole number of additions to the Library and Museum
during the past year is 1881, as follows: — 337 bound volumes,
1033 pamphlets, 412 papers, and 99 articles for the Museum.
Number of contributors, 141. A list of gifts with the names of
the donors forms a part of this report.
Transactions and Reports have been received from thirty-six
kindred societies and institutions. The publishers of the follow-
ing periodicals have regularly forwarded their issues to us : — Athol
Transcript, Webster Times, Oxford Mid-Weekly, Martha's Vine-
yard Herald, Worcester Home Journal, Practical Mechanic,
The Messenger, and The Academe. We have also received by
gift or exchange, the Granite Monthly, N. E. Historical and Gen-
ealogical Register, Magazine of American History, Pennsylvania
Magazine, Iowa Historical Record, Miscellanea Genealogica et
Heraldica, and the Narragansett Register.
Nos. XXIV. and XXV. of the Society's publications have been
issued and distributed since I presented my last report.
THOMAS A. DICKINSON, Librarian.
GIFTS TO THE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM.
Abbot, W. F. 15 pamphlets, 6 papers; miscellaneous matter; photograph
of donor.
Allen, E. G., London, i pamphlet.
Allis, G. S. Ancient documents.
American Antiquarla.n Society. Proceedings as issued.
American Catholic Historical Society, i pamphlet.
American Geographical Society. Publications as issued.
American Museum of Natural History, N. Y. Publications as issued.
American Historical Association, i pamphlet.
Andrews, W. H. 2 pistols.
AsToR Library, N. Y. 2 pamphlets.
214
Bailey, George W. i pamphlet; ancient flax heckle.
Banister, Charles H. 8 papers.
Banks & Bros, i pamphlet.
Barrows, Myron E. 87 pamphlets.
Bartlett, William H. 114 pamphlets; package of papers.
Barton, William S. Benton's Thirty Years' View, 2 volumes.
Beachan, John. Paper.
Benjamin, W. B. Catalogues.
Bishop, Dr. H. F. Cane.
Blake, Fr.ancis E. i pamphlet.
Blanchard, F. S. Pamphlet and papers.
Booth, C. C. i pamphlet.
Bostonian Society, i paper.
Boyden, Mrs. John. 18 volumes, 3 pamphlets; 35 steel engravings; fire
buckets and bag; several other articles.
Brooklyn Library, i pamphlet.
Brown, Edwin. 31 pamphlets.
Buffalo Historical Society, i pamphlet.
Burgess, Mrs. Daniel. Wooden pin from house of Rev. Thomas Holt of
Hardwick, built in 1769.
California Historical Society. Papers, volume I., part i.
California, University of. 5 pamphlets.
Chaffee, W. W. Cane made of wood from old Huguenot Dam, Oxford.
Clark, A. S. 2 pamphlets.
Clark, J. H. Ancient scales and weights.
Clark, Robert, & Co., Cincinnati. Catalogues.
Clemence, Henry M. Old crockery, 5 pieces; reaping hooks.
Crane, Ellery B. 3 pamphlets; whale's tooth.
Crane, John C. Indian soapstone pottery, arrow points; envelope.
Critic Company, N. Y. Papers.
Dana, John A. 72 pamphlets, 2 maps and 2 papers.
Dawson, Henry B. His Westchester County, N. Y., during the Revolution.
Denny, Henry A. Continental Bill.
Dickinson, Thomas A. 7 volumes.
DoDD, Mead & Co. i pamphlet.
Dodge, Benjamin J. 6 pamphlets.
Douglas, R. W., & Co. 2 pamphlets.
Dufosse, E. De, Paris, i pamphlet.
Earle, Dr. Pliny. Letters of Eleazar Smith, 1813-14; original card tooth
machine, 1800; model of card pricking machine, 1800.
Education, Bureau of, Washington, i volume, 21 pamphlets.
Epoch Publishing Co., N. Y. i paper.
Essex Institute. Bulletin as issued.
215
EsTES & Lauriat. Catalogues.
EsTEY, James L. i pamphlet.
Fire Society, Worcester. Reminiscences.
Flint, Mrs. Harriet, Leicester. 12 volumes, i pamphlet.
FoRU.M Publishing Co., N. Y. i magazine.
Gilbert, Charles W. Coin.
GooDNOw, Edward A. Dedication of Goodnow Memorial Hall, Princeton.
Gould, Abram K. Gen. Lee's Farewell Address.
Green, Hon. Samuel A., M. D. i volume, 36 pamphlets, i paper.
Griffin, Martin J. J. i pamphlet.
Griswold, W. M., Washington, i pamphlet.
Guild, Mrs. Calvin. Collection of church programmes.
Harrassowitz, Otto, Leipsic. Catalogues.
Harvard University, Library of. Bulletin as issued.
Harvey, Capt. C. Coat worn by a member of the State Guard, (1863-74).
Herbich & Rapsilber. 3 pamphlets.
HiERSEMANN, Karl W., Leipsic. 2 catalogues.
Hoar, Hon. George F., U. S. Senator. 137 public documents.
Home Knowledge Association, N. Y. i pamphlet.
Howard, Joseph Jackson, ll. d., London. Miscellanea Genealogica et
Heraldica, for the year.
HoWLAND, Joseph A. Framed certificate; canes from Mt. Vernon and
Putnam's Wolf Den.
HULiNG, Ray Greene. Home Lots of Early Settlers of Providence Planta-
tions; I pamphlet.
Iow\ State Historical Society. 2 pamphlets.
Jacques, B. C, & Co. Weather vane and ball from the Central Church in
Worcester, erected 1823.
Jenks, Charles E. History of North Brookfield, Mass.
JiLLSON, Hon. Clark. The Town of Webster, illustrated; Granite Monthly
for the year; binding of several volumes.
JiLLSON, Dr. F. C. Ancient Lamp.
Johns Hopkins University. Publications as issued.
Johnson, Charles R. i pamphlet.
Kay & Bro. i pamphlet.
Kendall, Sanford M. (deceased) Complete file of the Christian Union;
framed picture.
Lawrence, Edward R. File of Constitutional Telegraph, 1799-1800.
Lee, Pardon A. Framed portrait of Dr. B. F. Hey wood; nails from the
Old South Church.
Leonard, Bp:rnard A. Framed oil painting by Francis Alexander; 29 vol-
umes, 4 pamphlets.
Lewis, William Dean. Ancient foot rule.
2l6
LiBBiE, C. F., & Co. Sale catalogues.
Library Company, Philadelphia. Bulletin as issued.
Lincoln, Edward Winslow. Report of the Parks Commission.
Lindsay, R. M. Catalogues.
Luce, Robert, Boston, i pamphlet.
Manitoba Historical Society. Publications.
Marble, A. P. 3 pamphlets.
Mason, Joseph, ii volumes, 61 pamphlets.
May, Rev. Samuel. Life of William Lloyd Garrison, 2 volumes; 8 pam-
phlets and 2 maps.
Maynard, M. a. Impeachment of Andrew Johnson, 3 volumes.
McClurg, a. C, & Co. I pamphlet.
Meriam, Rufus N. 2 volumes, 86 pamphlets, 14 papers.
Miller, Henry W. 2 volumes.
Minnesota Historical Society. Reports.
Morrison, J. T., Wooster, O. i pamphlet.
Morrow, Mrs. O. N. Photograph.
Myer, Isaac. Paper.
Narragansett Publishing Co. Narragansett Historical Register for the
year.
Nash & Pierce, i pamphlet.
Nebraska State Historical Society, i volume.
New England Historic-Genealogical Society. Register for the year.
New Jersey Historical Society. Proceedings.
New York State Library. 6 volumes.
O'Flynn, Richard. Ancient Swedish lock; i pamphlet.
Oneida Historical Society, i pamphlet.
Otis, John C. Framed photograph of citizens of Worcester.
Paine, Nathaniel. 21 pamphlets, 50 papers; photograph; relic from the
Gaspee.
Peabody Museum, Cambridge. Publications for the year.
Pennsylvania Historical Society. Pennsylvania Magazine for the year.
Perry, Hon. Amos. His Carthage and Tunis, past and present.
Perry, S. D. File of the Massachusetts Spy, 1822.
Phillips, Albert M. His Phillips Genealogy.
Pollard, L. L. Large hornets' nest.
Prince, Lucian. 4 pamphlets and i paper.
Providence Public Library, i pamphlet.
Putnam, Davis & Co. 2 volumes, 170 pamphlets, 53 papers.
Putnam, G. P., & Sons. Catalogues.
Poor, H. V. & H. W. 10 volumes Railroad Manual.
Porter & Coates. Catalogues.
Record Commission, Boston. 2 volumes.
H
217
Reinswald, G., Paris, i pamphlet.
Rice, Fi^nklin P. 3 pamphlets.
Rice, Hon. W. W. 2 volumes.
Roe, Alfred S. His American Authors and their Birthdays; 7 volumes,
10 pamphlets, 78 papers; framed portrait.
Russell, Hon. John E., m. c. 2 specimens Massachusetts currency, 17S0.
Salisbury, Stephen. Lend a hand fur the year; framed engraving of
Sumner and Longfellow.
Saunders, \V. B. Catalogues.
Scientific American Co. i volume.
Scott, Leonard, i pamphlet.
Scribner & Welford. Catalogues.
Sanford & Davis. Boylston Centennial.
Secretary of the Commonwe.-ilth, Boston. 6 volumes, 2 pamphlets.
Shaw, Mrs. Mary A. Brass warming pan; picture.
Shumway, Henry L. Magazine of American History for the year; i vol-
ume, 42 pamphlets.
Simmons, Rev. Charles E. Piece of Charter Oak.
Smith, Henry M. i volume, 2 pamphlets; reception cards Gov. Ames.
Smith, Isaac H. Japanese shoes.
Smith, James A. 47 pamphlets, 9 papers.
Smithsonian Lnstitution. i volume.
Staples, Rev. Carlton A. 2 memorial sermons.
Staples, Samuel E. 36 pamphlets.
State Department, Washington. 12 pamphlets.
Stechet, Gustave E. i paper.
Stevens, B. P., London. Catalogues.
St. Louis Academy of Science. Proceedings.
Strahan, Charles, i paper.
Strong, Helen and Julia. 7 volumes.
Sumner, George. 2 volumes, 11 pamphlets, 58 papers; portrait and other
articles.
Thayer, Hon. Eli. i volume.
Thompson, E. Francis. His edition Midsummer Nights' Dream.
Thompson, Edward H. Articles used in aboriginal dances, Yucatan.
Twietmeyer, a., Leipsic. Catalogues.
Vaneverens, p. F., New York, i pamphlet.
Ward, Prof. Henry A. i pamphlet.
Ward & Howell. 2 papers.
Wesby, Herbert. 47 pamphlets.
Western Reserve and Northern Ohio Historical Society. 2 pamphlets.
Wilder, Harvey B. Ancient and Honorable Artillery sermon.
WiNSLOW, Hon. Samuel. His Inaugural Address as Mayor of Worcester.
28
2l8
Wali,, Caleb A. i pamphlet.
White, Charles D. Framed receipt, 1777.
Wisconsin State Historical Society. 2 pamphlets.
Woodman, Mrs. D. O. 17 pamphlets; Bowie knife.
Woods, H. D. i volume, 2 pamphlets.
Woodruff, E. W. i pamphlet.
Wright, J. O., & Co. i pamphlet.
Yale College Library. 2 volumes.
The reports of the Treasurer and Librarian were
accepted and placed on file.
The Society then proceeded to ballot for the choice
of officers for 1888, and the following were elected.
President: Ellery B. Crane ; ist Vice-President:
Albert ToLMAN ; 2d Vice-President: George Sum-
ner ; Secretary : William F. Abbot ; Treasurer :
Henry F. Stedman ; Librarian : Thomas A. Dickin-
son ; Member of Committee on Nominations to
serve three years : Daniel Seagrave.
The annual assessment for 1888 was fixed at four
dollars.
Messrs. Crane, Staples and Rice were re-elected
to serve as the Committee on Publications for 1888.
The Chairmen of the several Departments were
authorized to present their reports in print.
The meeting was then adjourned.
This closes the record of 1887.
ISAAC NEWTON METCALF.
BY SAMUEL E. STAPLES.
Isaac Newton Metcalf was born at Royalston, Mass., March
8, 1818, and died in Worcester, in the closing hours of Easter,
April 10, 1887, after a day of active service at St. John's Epis-
copal Church. His profession was that of music. He was for
many years located in Lowell, where he was actively engaged in
the duties of his calling. Subsequently he came to Worcester,
and for some years was music teacher in the public schools of
this city, but resigned his position and became a partner in the
firm of Fay, Richards & Co., dealers in pianofortes and general
musical merchandise. Upon the retirement of Mr. Fay, the
business was continued for some time by Messrs. Richards,
Metcalf & Co. ; and upon the final dissolution of the partnership,
Mr. Metcalf engaged in other pursuits.
He compiled a number of small books of considerable interest,
among them an illustrated quarto entitled "Heart of the Com-
monwealth," a business guide to the City of Worcester, published
by Snow, Woodman & Co., 18S1 ; and a Church and Choir
Directory of Worcester County. He also compiled an almanac
that was published a number of years. At the time of his death
he had been engaged for some months in collecting material for
a new illustrated Worcester history, to be published by Mr. O. B.
Wood, the plan and work of which have been completed by
other hands.
But Mr. Metcalf evidently took the greatest interest in church
work, especially the music of the church. He was for many
years choir master at All Saints Episcopal Church, and was also
one of the church wardens ; and subsequently upon the formation
220
of St. John's Episcopal Church, Lincoln street, he performed the
same duties there, from its beginning to the day of his death.
He was president for a number of years of the Worcester Choral
Union, and also served for sixteen years as an officer of the
Worcester County Musical Association, in which he had a deep
and an abiding interest, and for which he performed a great
amount of useful labor. For ten years or more he rendered
efficient service as assistant assessor of Ward One.
Mr. Metcalf was admitted a member of The Worcester Society
of Antiquity March 6, 1877, but his various duties precluded his
giving that active service here that he was accustomed to render in
other associations, though he was interested, especially in local his-
torical researches, as works which he has issued plainly indicate.
His was an active and useful life, spent in doing what he could
to elevate and improve the condition of others. He was a genial
friend, his companionship agreeable, and his life a bright example
of the true Christian gentleman. May all emulate the virtues of
so worthy a man.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS.
ARCH.^OLOGY AND GENERAL HISTORY.
The year 1887 has not been remarkable for extraordinary
archaeological discoveries, but it has been a period of great
activity in the various fields of research, and much valuable work
has been accomplished therein by diligent and well-directed
effort.
In our own country increased interest has been manifested in
the remains of the Mound Builders. Many mounds, hitherto
undisturbed, have been opened, and their contents carefully
scanned ; fortifications have been subjected to closer study than
heretofore ; and religious monuments have been made the objects
of most critical attention. The grand result of all these labors
seems to be a growing opinion among students, amounting to a
conviction on the part of many, that the builders of the mounds
and kindred structures were closely allied in race and general
culture to the people found existing in the vicinity of these re-
mains at the time of their discovery by our fathers, if they were
not actually of the same race.
In the Southwest the work of investigation and discovery
among the Zunis and the Pueblo Indians is making rapid progress
under the direction of trained government officers, while in the
far North a new field has been opened by the labors of Lieut. A. P.
Niblack, U. S. N., in the wilds of southern Alaska. This faithful
officer and accomplished archaeologist has recently returned to
Washington, after a three years' sojourn in that distant region,
bringing with him an immense amount of ethnologic and arch?e-
ological material, which it will now be his duty to classify and
222
describe. How well this work will be done may be inferred from
his valuable contributions to the records of the Smithsonian
Institution on other occasions.
In the distant South, our associate, Edward H. Thompson, in
the face of adverse circumstances, has continued operations in
the wilds of Yucatan, and overcoming obstacles that would have
baffled the skill and energy of most men, has succeeded in taking
moulds of a carved facade of a structure in the ruined city of
Labna, and in safely conveying them thence to Worcester.
Plaster casts have been made from these moulds, and an exact
reproduction of a portion of this fagade may now be seen at
Antiquarian Hall, in this city. Mr. Thompson continues to main-
tain close relations with our Society, and an interesting commu-
nication from him, received early last summer, is appended to
this report.
Many noteworthy discoveries have recendy been made in the
Old World, though economy of space will permit reference to
but two of these.
In the excavations at Pompeii a large number of silver vessels
and three books have been found heaped together under circum-
stances which indicate that their owner, a lady named Dicidia
Margaris, had packed them together in a bundle covered with
cloth, and endeavored to escape with them at the time of the
destruction of the city. This woman undoubtedly lost her life in
the undertaking. The books, which consist of wood tablets fast-
ened together in book form, show her name and the nature of
her valuable property. The tablets are about five by eight inches
in space, and when discovered were coated with wax in which
the letters were made. After a few days the wood became dry
and the wax peeled off in small pieces, leaving the inscriptions
mostly illegible. Before this happened inspection showed that
the books contained the title deeds and important contracts of
this lady. The contracts were between Dicidia Margaris and
one Popp?ea Note, a freedman. From the names of the Consuls
mentioned in some of the contracts, it appears that they were
made in the year 6i a. d. Two of the contracts relate to the
223
sale of some slaves by Popprea Note to Dicidia ; another fixes
1450 sesterces as the penalty which Popprea agrees to pay
Dicidia should the slaves prove unprofitable. The silver ])late
found consists of four goblets with four trays, four cups with
handles, a cup without a handle, a filter, a bottle with perforated
bottom, a spoon and a small scoop. It appeared from the books
that the silver plate of Dicidia was composed of a set for four
persons, but the set found is incomplete, probably owing to the
gathering up of the articles in great haste by their owner prepara-
tory to flight.
A recent discovery at Jerusalem may result in throwing much
light on the question of the site of the sepulchre of our Savior.
An ancient tomb has been laid bare just seventy-two feet due west
from the so-called Holy Sepulchre, and fifteen and one half feet
below the surface of the present street (Christian street). Henry
Gillman, U. S. Consul at Jerusalem, says: "All who have seen
this tomb, and who are experienced in such antiquities, unhesi-
tatingly assign it to the Canaanitish or Jebusite period. The
discovery is thought by many to furnish strong evidence in support
of the claim that the true sites of Calvary and the tomb of Christ
are not those generally accepted, but are identical with the high
knoll at the cave of Jeremiah, and the tomb in the garden near
by, outside the walls of Jerusalem, adjacent to the Damascus
Gate, as it would seem that the Jews would never have chosen as
a place of interment a Jebusite or Canaanitish burial spot."
In closing this report the chairman is impelled to express the
hope that the coming year will witness increased interest among
the members of the Society in general in the work of this Depart-
ment, as well as renewetl efforts on the part of those more closely
connected with the Department, to augment its efficiency.
CHARLES R. JOHNSON, Chairman.
224
Mr. Thompson's Communication.
To the 7nembers of The Worcester Society of Antiquity :
Although it has been some time since the
Society has heard from me, it is not because I have forgotten
that I have the honor of being a member.
My archaeological work during the past year has been princi-
pally that of exploration and study, rather than of writing. Since
my last communication to you I have visited, explored, and
photographed among the ruins of Ak^, Izamal, Kabah, Uxmal,
and Zayi. Of the last it is said that I am the first person who
has visited it since Stephens, and if my appearance upon my
return be any indication of the trials to pass through before it
can be reached, it will be some time before any one else will
again undertake the task, although the road cut out by my men
will make it much easier for the next explorer.
I have discovered upon my last expedition into the interior a very
interesting ruined city to which I have given the Mayan name
of "Thum-Kat-oin." This city has been hitherto unknown even
to the Indians. Photographs of an edifice within this city, that
among others I shall have the pleasure of presenting to the
Society upon my anticipated visit to the United States, will, I
trust, be of interest to the members.
The discovery of these ruins was accomplished only after we
had passed about fifteen days in the jungle and wilderness of the
almost unknown interior of Yucatan, consequently both myself
and men, as well as my clothing, were about used up ; indeed
my once stout deerskin shoes had given out under the hard
usage, and as I stood upon the platform of a mound that over-
looked the ruined and deserted city, my tiger-skin leggings were
about the only serviceable article of wear left upon me. One who