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Vanderwerker. "The schools of Detroit from 1816 to 1819," being personal reminiscences, was read by B. O. Williams, of Owosso.

Dr. O. C. Comstock, chairman of the committee on invitations, read a letter of regrets received from Dr. James H. Jerome, of Saginaw.

(Note. For notice of the death of Dr. Jerome, see vol. 4, Pioneer Collections, page 542.)

Hon. Witter J. Baxter read a paper on "The rise and progress of Michigan,” prepared by Hon. Thomas W. Ferry.

President Holmes observing that "Father Little," an aged colored man, was present, moved that he be made a member of the society. The resolution was adopted. A sketch of Mr. Little's life was given verbally by Dr. William Haze. It was thought that he was about 90 years of age. Mr. Little being called upon, made a few appropriate remarks and placed his name on the membership book. He stated that Mrs. Berry, of North Lansing, taught him his letters. Mrs. Berry's grandfather owned him as a slave in Wayne county, State of New York.

(Note. A notice of the death of Father Little will be published in vol. 7, Pioneer Collections.)

By request, Rev. M. Hickey sang "He died at his post." The society then adjourned till 2 o'clock, P. M.

Thursday Afternoon

The society met according to adjournment, the President in the chair. The exercises of the afternoon were opened with prayer, offered by Rev. George Taylor, and "Rock of Ages" was sung by the audience.

Rev. Manasseh Hickey read a continuation of his paper of one year ago, entitled "Reminiscences as minister and missionary of the Methodist Episcopal church in Michigan in 1847."

"Recollections of things that occurred in Michigan over 40 years ago," was read by Mrs. S. L. Withey, of Grand Rapids. "The sword of Bunker Hill," a solo, was sung by W. L. Smith, and by request, Mr. Smith also sang "In a hundred fathoms deep."

The following preamble and resolutions were offered by Col. M. Shoemaker, and adopted:

WHEREAS, The Historical Society of Michigan is not now continuing its labors, and has no longer an active existence; and

WHEREAS, That society did, during the time when it was in working order, collect many valuable books, papers, and other articles which are of great historic value, and which are still in the possession of members of that society; and

WHEREAS, It is important that all these collections should be placed where their preservation will be ensured, and where they will be accessible to the reader and historian. Therefore,

Resolved, By the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan, that the members of the Historical Society of Michigan be, and they are hereby, requested to place the valuable collection of books, papers, and articles belonging to it in charge of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan, to be by them placed in the section of the State Library assigned to the society, where the collection will be held as a State charge, and from which no part of the same can be removed without the consent of the Legislature of the State, or used for any purpose except for reference under the rules of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan.

Resolved, That the corresponding secretary send a copy of this preamble and resolution to Judge James V. Campbell and Hon. C. I. Walker, with the request that they will give their aid and influence in procuring favorable action by the Historical Society of Michigan.

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A telegram conveying the regrets of Hon. Thomas W. Palmer for not being able to attend this meeting was read by the president.

Miss Cara L. Peck gave a recitation, "Whistling in Heaven." Talcott E. Wing presented a continuation of his history of Monroe county, and A. B. Copley followed with a paper on the "Early settlement of southwestern Michigan." Hon. Josiah W. Begole read a paper, being "Recollections of our homes, manners, customs, and the way we lived fifty years ago." Henry Fralick read a memorial of Jonathan Shearer, third president of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan, and then a favorite hymn of Mr. Shearer, "Brightest and best of the sons of the morning," was sung by the audience.

Mr. Fralick presented his report as chairman of the committee on the nomination of officers for 1883. The report was accepted, and the nominees were unanimously elected.

(Note. For list of officers elected see pages 3-4 of this volume of the Pioneer Collections.)

The audience joined in signing "Tell me the old, old story," and the society adjourned to meet again at 7:30 in the evening.

Thursday evening

The society was called to order by the President, and the exercises of the evening were opened with prayer by Rev. George Taylor, and the audience joined in singing "All hail the power of Jesus' name." C. B. Stebbins read "The story of another pioneer," and Judge C. A. Stacy presented a paper on "The early members of the Lenawee county bar."

Miss May King favored the audience with a violin solo, "The last rose of summer." A memorial of Rev. John D. Pierce was read by Dr. O. C. Comstock. Miss Jessie Baker sang a solo, "By the sad sea waves." A paper entitled "Early days in Michigan," written by Robert E. Roberts of Detroit, was read by Philo Parsons. W. L. Smith followed with a solo, "The watcher."

Dr. O. C. Comstock offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That_to the State officers for the use of Representative Hall for our sessions, to the Presbyterian choir, the organists, Miss Berridge and Miss Barnard, to Miss King, Miss Baker, and W. L. Smith for the charming and artistic music with which they have enlivened our sessions, to Miss Peck for her eloquent and effective recitations, the thanks of the Pioneer Society are due, and are hereby most cordially tendered.

Dr. O. C. Comstock also offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the thanks of this society are due, and are hereby tendered to retiring president, Prof. J. C. Holmes, for the able, efficient, and impartial manner in which he has discharged the duties of his position, and that his efficiency as an officer assures his continued interest and efficient services as a private while his health and strength remains; and of the long continuance of these his fresh and youthful appearance gives cheering promise.

Hon. Philo Parsons gave some account of Michigan at the Yorktown centennial, and in connection therewith made a most noble and manly defense of the character and acts of Governor David H. Jerome. Mr. Witter J. Baxter also denounced the statements made in certain quarters against the Governor as pure fabrications, from his personal knowledge of facts.

Many anecdotes were told and remarks made by the old pioneers during the

various sessions of this meeting, and the exercises were finally closed by the audience joining in singing the "Old folks' song," (Auld Lang Syne). The benediction was pronounced by Rev. George Taylor.

DONATIONS

The donations made to the society since the last report are not large in numbers but are of great historical value. They are recorded in detail on the record books of the society, and are in numbers as follows:

Historical manuscripts

Bound volumes of books

Unbound books

Pamphlets

Newspapers containing historical articles.

Posters of the Central Michigan Agricultural Society.

MEMBERSHIP

30

9

5

26

22

4

The increase in the membership of the society is not as large as usual. The names are as follows: Charles Grant, A. D. P. Van Buren, Dr. William H. Haze, Florus S. Finley, Mrs. Jane M. Finley, David H. Jerome, George H. Cannon, James Little, Mrs. Florence (Bagley) Sherman, George H. Hopkins, Goodenough Townsend, Martin V. Montgomery, George M. Parks. Eaton Branch, John L. Mitchell, Mrs. Marian L. Withey, Artemas J. Dean, John T. Goodman, Joshau Manwaring, Alexander B. Leeds.

These make an addition of twenty members during the past year, and the total number of names now enrolled upon our membership book is five hundred and sixty.

HARRIET A. TENNEY,
Recording Secretary.

REPORT OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

LANSING, June 13, 1883.

To the Officers and Members of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan: In conformity to custom I herewith submit the file of letters and communications received during the year, all of which have been promptly answered or acknowledged. No correspondence of a special character has occurred since my last annual report.

Immediately after the close of our last annual meeting I sent notices to all the vice presidents elect, informing them of their election and instructing them in their duties; the principal of which is to procure biographical sketches and obituary notices of all pioneers of their county who have died during the year, and report the same either in person or by letter, at the annual meeting. On the 14th of May, I again sent them notices reminding them of the approaching meeting and of their duties, requesting them if possible, to be present with their report; or if they could not come, to forward it in time to be presented at this meeting. I have received several of these reports, which will be presented at the proper time.

Since our last meeting, as far as I have been able to ascertain, nine mem

bers of this society have been taken away by death; viz.: George W. Lee of Ypsilanti, died June 8, 1882; Mrs. Abigail Rogers Pratt of Lansing, Sept. 20, 1882; Hon. J. Webster Childs of Augusta, Washtenaw Co., Nov. 9, 1883; Ebenezer F. Wade of Corunna, vice president for Shiawassee county, Nov. 13, 1882; Cyrus Hewitt of Lansing, Nov. 23, 1882; Samuel F. Drury of Olivet, Feb. 13, 1883; Duncan A. McMartin of Allegan, vice president for Allegan county, April 10, 1883; Gen. Ralph Ely, vice president for Gratiot county, April 12, 1883; and William H. Horton of Vevay, June 12, 1883.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

GEORGE H. GREENE, Corresponding Secretary.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

To the Officers and Members of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan: Your treasurer submits the following report:

E. LONGYEAR, TREASURER, IN ACCOUNT WITH THE SOCIETY

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The committee of historians beg leave to report that the manuscript for volume 4, "Pioneer Collections," was arranged and made ready for the printers early in December, 1882, but the State printers, by whom the volume is to be printed, were very busy at that time printing the annual reports of the State officers, and from the time the legislature convened in January until the close of the session on the 9th inst. they were so crowded with work for

various sessions of this meeting, and the exercises were finally closed by the audience joining in singing the "Old folks' song," (Auld Lang Syne). The benediction was pronounced by Rev. George Taylor.

DONATIONS

The donations made to the society since the last report are not large in numbers but are of great historical value. They are recorded in detail on the record books of the society, and are in numbers as follows:

Historical manuscripts

Bound volumes of books

Unbound books

Pamphlets

Newspapers containing historical articles..

Posters of the Central Michigan Agricultural Society.

MEMBERSHIP

30

9

5

26

The increase in the membership of the society is not as large as usual. The names are as follows: Charles Grant, A. D. P. Van Buren, Dr. William H. Haze, Florus S. Finley, Mrs. Jane M. Finley, David H. Jerome, George H. Cannon, James Little, Mrs. Florence (Bagley) Sherman, George H. Hopkins, Goodenough Townsend, Martin V. Montgomery, George M. Parks, Eaton Branch, John L. Mitchell, Mrs. Marian L. Withey, Artemas J. Dean, John T. Goodman, Joshau Manwaring, Alexander B. Leeds.

These make an addition of twenty members during the past year, and th total number of names now enrolled upon our membership book is five h dred and sixty.

HARRIET A. TENNEY,

Recording Secrete

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REPORT OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

To the Officers and Members of the Pioneer Society of the State of In conformity to custom I herewith submit the file of letter munications received during the year, all of which have b answered or acknowledged. No correspondence of a special occurred since my last annual report.

Immediately after the close of our last annual meeting T the vice presidents elect, informing them of

them in their duties; the principal of

sketches and obituary notices of all

during the year, and report the

annual meeting. On the 14th

them of the approaching m

possible, to be present wit ward it in time to be pre these reports, which will Since our last meeting

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