ANNUAL MEETING, NOVEMBER, 1927
THE Annual Meeting of the Society was held at the Algonquin Club, No. 217 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, on Monday, November 21, 1927, at half-past six o’clock in the evening, the President, Samuel Eliot Morison, in the chair.
The Records of the last Stated Meeting were read and approved.
The Corresponding Secretary reported the death, on May 11, 1927, of James Kendall Hosmer, a Corresponding Member; on May 21, 1927, of Hugh Edward Egerton, an Associate Member; on June 7, 1927, of Thomas Willing Balch, a Corresponding Member; on August 3, 1927, of Francis Tiffany Bowles, a Resident Member, and, on November 12, 1927, of Charles John McIntire, a Resident Member.
The Corresponding Secretary reported that a letter had been received from Mr. Heman Merrick Burr accepting Resident Membership.
The Annual Report of the Council was read by Mr. Percival Merritt:
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL
An acknowledgment is again due to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for generously permitting the Society to hold its stated meetings in the rooms of the Academy, where we met from December to February inclusive. The March meeting, by invitation of Mr. Frederic Winthrop, was held at his house in Boston, and the April meeting took place in the evening at the home of Mr. Edward M. Pickman in Cambridge.
During the summer the long-expected volumes of the early records of Harvard College to 1750 made their appearance, an invaluable publication by reason of the exhaustive historical introduction and the scholarly editorial work of Mr. Albert Matthews.
In explanation of the delay in the issue of the two volumes, it is only fair to Mr. Matthews to state that the progress of the work was interrupted by causes entirely beyond his control. The editing of the records of the First Church in Plymouth, the Society’s contribution to the Tercentennial celebration, which obviously had to be published as speedily as possible, necessitated the postponement of other special editorial work for a period of two years.
It is gratifying to be able to state that the publication of another volume of the College Records has been provided for, also, at the request of the Council, under the editorship of Mr. Matthews, who has already begun work on it.
Our editor, Mr. Murdock, reports that Volume XXVI of our Publications, containing Transactions from March, 1924, to December, 1926, inclusive, will be issued shortly after this meeting. The Transactions at the meetings January–April, 1927, already in type, have begun a new volume (XXVII); and an Index to Volumes I–XXV is in active preparation.
In this connection it may be said that at present one of our principal functions is that of a publication society. There is an abundance of valuable unpublished historical material at hand particularly suitable for our volumes of Collections. In addition to material we have highly competent editorship, as well as volunteer assistance on special subjects. But the increasing costs of printing and publishing make it impossible, in view of our present resources, to avail ourselves of all the opportunities before us. The report of the Treasurer, submitted to the Society to-night, shows that we have invested funds to the amount of about one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, the income from which is available for publications and current expenses. After meeting our comparatively slight but necessary current expenses, our annual income will not warrant as frequent publications as might be made. In the past some important publications, such as the Massachusetts Royal Commissions and the College Records, have been rendered possible either wholly or in part by the generosity of individual members or friends. But obviously such sources are uncertain and do not warrant a systematic planning for the future.
The late Henry H. Edes, our Treasurer from the foundation of the Society down to the time of his death, was in the habit of delicately suggesting to members that, if they were considering making or remaking their wills, the Colonial Society might be regarded as a suitable and deserving beneficiary to be included in those documents. An examination of the Treasurer’s report will show that this suggestion has produced results in the past. May it continue to do so in the future!
During the coming year certain economies will be effected by disposing of the plates of former volumes of our Publications, which have necessitated annually both insurance and storage charges, and hereafter the Publications will not be cast. These, together with other economies, will accrue to the advantage of our permanent funds.
At the last annual meeting an important change was made in our By-Laws, creating a new class of members, known as Associates, limited to ten persons who are exempt from the genealogical qualification.
During the year the following members have been elected:
Resident:
- Harold Hitchings Burbank,
- Charles Francis Dorr Belden,
- Heman Merrick Burr;
Honorary:
- Oliver Wendell Holmes;
Corresponding:
- Clarence Walworth Alvord,
- Thomas William Lamont,
- William Gwinn Mather,
- George Lincoln Burr,
- Stanley Thomas Williams,
- William Tudor Gardiner;
Associate:
- Sir George Otto Trevelyan,
- Emile Bourgeois,
- Hugh Edward Egerton,
- Charles Howard McIlwain,
- John Henry Edmonds,
- Arthur Meier Schlesinger.
During the same period we have lost seven members by death: Simeon Eben Baldwin, Corresponding, 1898: A loyal son of Yale, instructor and professor in its Law School, an authority on international law. Eminent at the bar and on the bench of his native state. An Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors and its Chief Justice until 1910, when, having reached the age limit of seventy years, he was retired. After retirement from the bench he was twice elected Governor, and filled the office for four years. Founder and President of the American Bar Association, President of the American Historical Association, distinguished descendant of distinguished ancestors.
Charles Sprague Sargent, Resident, 1925: Creator and Director of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. He caused the temperate zones of the earth to be searched for trees and flowering shrubs which could be domesticated in our latitude, providing an incomparable field of study for students of landscape gardening, and a perennial source of enjoyment to lovers of nature. An authority on all matters relating to forestry, the preservation of our great national forests is due mainly to his recommendations and advice. A writer of wide reputation on topics horticultural and botanical. To present and future generations the Arboretum will remain his permanent memorial.
James Kendall Hosmer, Corresponding, 1908: A man of varied occupations during his long life and eminent in all. Clergyman; professor of English, history, and literature in several universities; prolific writer in the field of history, particularly that of Massachusetts and of the Nation; librarian of the Minneapolis Public Library. His last formal contribution to American history was an address delivered on the occasion of the dedication of the Thomas Hutchinson memorial doorway, in the First Church of Boston on November, 1917, under the auspices of this Society.
Hugh Edward Egerton, Associate, 1927: Member of an English family long associated with administration and with politics. He was among the earliest students to search the Colonial Office documents and to attempt a synthesis of English Colonial policy. The first occupant of the chair of Colonial History at Oxford, it was owing to him that the study of Colonial history obtained a foothold in the University. A man of great culture combined with personal humility, he freely placed his wide knowledge and resources at the service of his students.
Thomas Willing Balch, Corresponding, 1907: Practitioner of law in his native city of Philadelphia. A widely known writer on legal topics, principally in connection with international subjects and with arbitration, seeking to create harmonious relations between nations of conflicting ideas and aims. A member of many historical and legal societies in this country and in Europe.
Francis Tiffany Bowles, Resident, 1922: Devoted servant of Nation and State. Graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and earnest student of naval architecture at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, England. Under his direction as Naval Constructor a navy of antiquated wooden ships was replaced by a fleet of modern steel vessels. During the World War he returned to the service of his country as assistant general manager of the Emergency Fleet Corporation. After the war he was one of the early advocates of disarmament. Sturdy and upright in character, fearless in speech, courageous in performance of duty, lovable in personality, a noteworthy representative of the Commonwealth to whose varied interests his later years were dedicated.
Charles John McIntire, Resident, 1914: Descendant of Scotch ancestors who were among the early settlers of Salem. Called from his studies in the Harvard Law School to the defence of his country by the outbreak of the Civil War. Long active in civic duties in Cambridge; jurist and judge. Deeply interested in the Colonial and Revolutionary history of his native city, a recognized authority on matters of local history, topography, and genealogy.
The Treasurer submitted his Annual Report, as follows:
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
In accordance with the requirements of the By-Laws the Treasurer submits his Annual Report for the year ending November 14, 1927.
receipts
Balance, November 16, 1926, Principal cash |
$516.61 |
|
Income cash |
5,934.87 |
$6,451.48 |
Receipts of Principal: |
||
Interest on Warren Institution for Savings account |
$94.46 |
|
Interest on Provident Institution for Savings account |
1.37 |
|
Horace Everett Ware Fund: |
||
Income transferred to Principal |
254.93 |
|
Contributions |
5.00 |
|
Admission Fees |
60.00 |
|
Sale of old prints and books of the Society |
1,051.35 |
|
United Electric Securities Corporation $2,000 5% of 1935, drawn |
2,060.00 |
|
Mortgage of Morris Victor No. 4038, paid in full |
8,000.00 |
|
Total Receipts of Principal |
11,527.11 |
|
Receipts of Income: |
||
Interest |
$7,610.20 |
|
Dividends |
180.00 |
|
Annual Assessments |
640.00 |
|
Sales of the Society’s Publications |
526.50 |
|
Principal items transferred |
65.00 |
|
Transfer of Frederick Lewis Gay Memorial Fund toward the cost of publications, Volumes XV and XVI |
2,000.00 |
|
Total Receipts of Income |
11,021.70 |
|
Total |
$29,000.29 |
disbursements
Disbursements of Principal: |
||
$500 England, Walton & Co. Inc. 6’s, due 1942, First Mortgage Sinking Fund |
$500.00 |
|
General Electric Company Common, 60 shares |
5,719.50 |
|
Interest on Warren Institution for Savings account, added to Principal |
94.46 |
|
Interest on Provident Institution for Savings account, added to Principal |
1.37 |
|
Principal items transferred to Income |
65.00 |
|
Transferring Frederick Lewis Gay Memorial Fund to Income to apply against the cost of publications, Volumes XV and XVI |
2,000.00 |
|
Total Disbursements of Principal |
$8,380.33 |
|
University Press |
$6,162.80 |
|
A. W. Elson & Company |
65.07 |
|
Folsom Engraving Company |
15.73 |
|
Boston Storage Warehouse Company |
36.00 |
|
Union Safe Deposit Vaults |
20.00 |
|
Stewart, Watts & Bollong, accounting services |
250.00 |
|
American Academy of Arts & Sciences, three meetings |
15.00 |
|
St. Botolph Club, use of dining room |
20.00 |
|
Thomas S. Longridge, insurance |
20.00 |
|
Patterson, Wylde & Windeler, insurance |
35.80 |
|
Mary H. Rollins, index to Volumes XV and XVI |
80.00 |
|
Nina E. Browne, Consolidated Index |
39.00 |
|
Bibliography of American Historical Writings: |
||
J. Franklin Jameson |
50.00 |
|
Editor’s salary |
1,000.00 |
|
Editor’s postage expenses |
12.25 |
|
Annual Dinner |
500.00 |
|
Clerk hire |
100.00 |
|
Miscellaneous |
70.77 |
|
Interest accrued on bond purchased |
5.00 |
|
Interest on Horace E. Ware Fund added to Principal |
254.93 |
|
Total Disbursements of Income |
$8,752.35 |
|
Balance, November 14, 1927, Principal cash |
$3,663.39 |
|
Income cash |
8,204.22 |
11,867.61 |
Total |
$29,000.29 |
The funds of the Society are invested as follows:
$12,300.00 |
in first mortgages payable in gold coin on improved property in Greater Boston |
109,782.00 |
in bonds and stocks elsewhere described in this report |
32.06 |
on deposit in the Provident Institution for Savings in the Town of Boston |
2,170.68 |
on deposit in the Warren Institution for Savings |
$124,284.74 |
The Investments of the Society yield an average annual income of approximately 5.69% on book value.
A Trial Balance of the accounts as of November 14, 1927, is hereto annexed and made a part of this report.
William C. Endicott
Treasurer
Boston, November 14, 1927
debits
credits
REPORT OF THE AUDITING COMMITTEE
The undersigned, a Committee appointed to examine the accounts of the Treasurer for the year which ended November 14, 1927, have attended to their duty by employing Messrs. Stewart, Watts & Bollong, Public Accountants and Auditors, who have made an audit of the accounts and examined the securities on deposit in Box 1052-E in the Union Safe Deposit Vaults.
We herewith submit their report, which has been examined and accepted by the Committee.
George P. Anderson
Nathaniel T. Kidder
Auditing Committee
Boston, November 21, 1927
The several Reports were accepted and referred to the Committee of Publication.
On behalf of the Committee appointed to nominate officers for the ensuing year, the following list was presented; and, a ballot having been taken, these gentlemen were unanimously elected:
PRESIDENT
- SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON
VICE-PRESIDENTS
- ARTHUR PRENTICE RUGG
- JAMES HARDY ROPES
RECORDING SECRETARY
- ARTHUR STANWOOD PIER
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
- PERCIVAL MERRITT
TREASURER
- WILLIAM CROWNINSHIELD ENDICOTT
REGISTRAR
- ROBERT DICKSON WESTON
MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL FOR THREE YEARS
- HENRY WILDER FOOTE
The President read the following minute of the Council:
The Council wishes to record its deep regret at the retirement of Mr. Alfred Johnson from the position of Registrar, which he has so ably filled since November, 1916. Mr. Johnson’s deep and exact knowledge of New England genealogy greatly aided the Council in the often difficult task of finding suitable ancestors for the gentlemen whom we were eager to elect. His advice was sought and respected by his colleagues both in prudential and scholarly matters; and his presence and conversation will be greatly missed at their board. We hope that a speedy and complete recovery from the illness which has compelled his retirement, may hasten his return to active participation in the Society’s meetings and counsels.
It was voted that this minute be spread upon the Records of the Society, and that a copy be transmitted to Mr. Johnson.
After the meeting was dissolved, dinner was served. The guests of the Society were Professor William Kenneth Boyd, Professor Charles Burton Gulick, Dr. John Huston Finley, Professor Eric Robert Dalrymple Maclagan, Professor Clifford Herschel Moore, Professor Josef Redlich, Professor Alexander Souter, and Professor Edwin Bidwell Wilson.