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bearing upon the north-eastern boundary question which was then pending. In 1845, he was again commissioned to visit England for this purpose, and spent six weeks there. He then travelled through France, Scotland and Ireland, and on his return to Boston resumed his work on the state-archives, which he completed in the early part of 1846, having been engaged thereon from the spring of 1835, with the exception of a single year.

On the 29th of December, 1836, Mr. Felt was chosen librarian of the Massachusetts Historical Society, but-as the situation was desired by Rev. T. M. Harris, D.D., with characteristic courtesy he stepped aside for him, Oct. 26, 1837. When Dr. Harris died Mr. Felt succeeded him, April 28, 1842, and remained in that office until 1854, with pleasure to himself and satisfaction to his associates.

He published, in 1839, his "History of Massachusetts Currency," which was an enlargement of two lectures delivered at the request of the Massachusetts Historical Society. This was an invaluable work to numismatologists; the edition has long since been exhausted.

For more than nineteen years-viz.: from Dec. 18, 1839, to January 12, 1859 he held the office of recording secretary of the American Statistical Association, of which institution he was one of the founders. In 1841 he was elected a member of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries, and the same year furnished an article on the "Fasts and Thanksgivings of NewEngland" for Coleman's Ecclesiastical Antiquities. In April, 1845, he was chosen a corresponding member of the New-England Historic-Genealogical Society. This membership was changed to resident in June, 1847, and to honorary in October, 1855.

In 1846, he was invited to succeed Rev. William Cogswell, D.D., as president of the Gilmanton Theological Seminary, but declined accepting that trust. He had already declined two invitations to take charge of literary seminaries. In 1847, he finished publishing "Collections for the American Statistical Association on Towns, Population, and Taxation." In 1848, he issued a "Memoir of Roger Conant;" in 1849, printed his second edition of the "Annals of Salem," in two volumes; in 1850, "Genealogical Items for Gloucester;" and in 1851, "Genealogical Items for Lynn," and his "Memoir of Hugh Peters."

Mr. Felt was chosen president of the New-England Historic-Genealogical Society, January 2, 1850, and sustained that relation three years. He edited the January and April numbers of the NEW-ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER for 1852; and his "Kidd Papers," obtained in London, "Memoirs of Francis Higginson," "Sketch of Abigail Brown," and "Memorials of William S. Shaw," were printed in that year. In the succeeding year, 1853, his discussion of the question, "Who was the First Governor of Massachusetts," and his "Customs of New-England," were issued from the press.

He was chosen secretary of the Congregational Library Association in October, 1852; their librarian the next year; and, in 1854, under their auspices, published his first volume of Ecclesiastical History of NewEngland." Of this work a committee appointed by the association say:"We take pleasure in certifying that, in our judgment, it everywhere discloses a thoroughness of research and an accuracy of statement in regard to matters of fact, which the early history of New-England has never before had, and will never again need. No other writer on the subject, among the living or the dead, has devoted the time, or enjoyed the facilities which have been afforded to the author of this work. Twenty years of investiga

tion among the best libraries of this country, and a visit to those of England, together with the overhauling of an incredible mass of old manuscripts in the archives of Massachusetts and elsewhere-undertaken con amore, and pursued with ever-freshening zeal-leaves small hope of original acquisition to those who may glean after him." The second volume of this work—the crowning labor of the author's life-was published in 1861.

In 1857, Dartmouth College conferred upon Mr. Felt the degree of Doctor of Laws.

Mr. Felt's first estimable and talented wife, who had been an encouraging helpmeet and a much valued assistant in all his literary labors for nearly forty-three years, died in Boston, July 5, 1859. In June, 1861, he removed to Salem, and there resided till his decease. He was a second time married, viz., November 16, 1862, to Mrs. Catharine Bartlett Meacham, of Haverhill, Mass., who survives him. He left no issue.

We have thus given but a crude outline of the life of Dr. Felt, who was by many of his associates and friends esteemed one of the most diligent, learned and eminent antiquaries and annalists which America has produced, and whose researches have accomplished much for future historians, and preserved from oblivion many interesting incidents relating to New-England matters. Reserved and retiring in his private life-never showing any desire for notoriety-he was highly exemplary in the various relations of son, husband, brother, pastor, friend and citizen; and constantly illustrated the benevolence of his heart by endeavors to increase the happiness of others. By his willingness to aid any seeker after information, he proved his fitness to be a guide in antiquarian and historical research.

He was a liberal contributor to many public institutions of science and literature. A notable instance of this may be recalled from Quincy's History of the Boston Athenæum, when, as the legal representative of his brotherin-law, William S. Shaw, who died, leaving claims against the Athenæum amounting to ten thousand dollars, Mr. Felt "voluntarily and most liberally executed a release of the whole claim and thereby constituted Mr. Shaw. a benefactor to the institution to that amount." His high appreciation of the literary institutions at Atkinson and Hanover, is manifested by liberal legacies, to each, in his last will and testament.

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Perhaps some have thought that Dr. Felt was too prone to press his religious views upon the notice of his readers; but it may well be said that his life illustrated his moral teachings. There was such amiableness, living conscientiousness, and saintly sincerity in his conversation and daily life, that one who has known him long and intimately may well be pardoned for applying to him the words: Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile." On Sunday, September 3, 1865, Dr. Felt, upon returning home from religious service, sat down, as was his daily custom, to write in his diary. He had written the text of the afternoon sermon: James, 4th chap. 14 verse"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away." With the last word of the text his pen wandered over the page in random scrawls, and he fell back in his chair paralyzed and apparently lifeless. The shadows of coming death had already gathered upon his brow and extinguished his usefulness forever. For, although he partially recovered from that state of insensibility, it was only to live lingeringly for four long years, wholly incapacitated for literary labor, but ever cherishing "the hope," as he once expressed himself, that "his Saviour would soon take him home." Thus, in unshaken confidence of a better portion hereafter, his

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body gradually yielded to disease, and on September 8, 1869, at the age of 80 years, he gently departed this life, full of years and honors; having lived the life of an earnest Christian, an amiable gentleman, a diligent scholar, and a useful citizen.

ACTION OF DEERFIELD, N. H., IN 1776, ON THE QUESTION OF ARMED RESISTANCE TO THE CROWN.

[Communicated by Mr. E. WORTHEN JAMES, of Boston, Mass.]

DECLARATION by the Inhabitants of New-Hampshire, Colony of NewHampshire, in Committee of Safety, April 2, 1776.

To the Selectmen of Deerfield: In order to carry the underwithin Resolves of the honorable continental congress into execution you are requested to desire all Males above twenty-one years of age-Lunaticks, Idiots, Negroes excepted-to sign the declaration on this paper, and when so done to make return thereof, together with the name or names of all who shall refuse to sign the same to the General Assembly or Committee of Safety of this Colony. M. WEARE, Chairman.

In Congress: March 14, 1776. Resolved, that it be recommended to those honorable Assemblies, Conventions, and Councils in Committees of Safety of the United Colonies, immediately to cause all persons to be disarmed within their respected Colonies who are notoriously disaffected to the cause of Americans, or who have not associated, and refuse to associate and to defend by Arms the United Colonies against the hostile attempts of the British Fleets and Arms. Extracts from the Minits.

CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.

In consequence of the above Resolves of the Continental Congress and to show our determination in joining our American brethren in defending the lives libertys and properties of the inhabitants of the United Colonies, We the subscribers do here by solemnly engage and promise that we will to the utermost of our power at the risks of our lives and fortuns with Armes oppose the hostile procedings of the British Fleets and Armes against the United American Colonies.

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Zebolan Ring

Daniel Robinson

Levi Harvey

Joseph Young

James Young

Jonathan Robinson
John Robinson
John Merrill
John James'
Sanborn Cram
David Batchelder
Jedeiah Prescott
Jonah Prescott
John Mead
Samuel Pulfier
Joshua Leavitt
Ezekiel Gilman
William Mos
Benjamin Bere
Thomas Jeneress
Joseph Currier
Joseph Judkins
Joshua French
Benjamin Judkins
Daniel Ladd
Joshua Young
Nathaniel Philbrick
Jonathan Watson
Jonathan Philbrick
Simon Batchelder
Ephram Batchelder
Moses Barnard
Jonathan Judkins
Abraham Prescott

Samuel Prescott Jonahan McCluer Samuel McCluer John Grifree James Mason Andrew Freese Thomas Leavitt Enock Robie Samuel Perkins Joseph Kinnison James Griffon Jonathan Batchelder Edmand Dearborn S. Batchelder Jr. Joseph Walles Joseph Hilton Samuel Hoitt Joseph Hoitt John Thurstin Benjamin Folsom Phineas Tilton Trastram Sanborn Joseph Cram Joel Cram Jesse Prescott Josiah Smith Timothy Gowing Pedo Webster Thomas Blasdell John Pearsons Cotton Haynes Nat Batchelder John Philbrick Nathan Philbrick

To the Hon the General Assemblys as a committee of safety for this Colony Gentlemen we have complied with your request in desireing all males to sign the declaration on this paper excepting a few who were gone out of the Parish, the men who refuse to sign are those whose names are here underwritten.

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THE FIRST RECORD-BOOK OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN CHARLESTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS.

[Communicated by JAMES F. HUNNEWELL, Esq., of Charlestown.]

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