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Ne ^h© act of incori)oratlon, constitution,
and "by-laws .».
Concord, 1823.

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Acquired by Exchange
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THE
ACT OF INCORPORATION,
HfiNSTITUTION, AND BY-LAWS,
OF THE
j^t^a^^l^umpufiivt fBiiutoxitnl Society.
WITH
A LIST OF ARTICLES, ON WHICH THE SOCIETY WISH FOR
INFOKMAttON ;
BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, &c. WANTED BY THE SOCIETY.

©oncortf :
PRINTED BY jACOB B. MOORE,
For the Society.
^823.

ACT OF INCORPORATION.

W THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED
AND TWENTY-THREE.
Jin Act to incorporate certain persons by the name
of the New-Hampshire Historical Society.
Whereas the persons hereinafter named have
associated for the laudable purpose of collecting
and preserving such books and papers as may il
lustrate the early history of the State; and of ac
quiring and communicating a knowledge of the
natural History, the botanical and mineralogical
productions of the State ; as well as for the gen
eral advancement of science and literature : and
whereas the ohject of their association is of pub
lic utility, and deserves public encouragement :
Therefore, Section 1. Be it enacted b^ the Senate and
House of Representatives in General Court con
vened. That Ichabod Bartlett, William Plumer,
jun., Bennet Tyler, Jeremiah Smith, Jereraiah
Mason, Richard Bartlett, James Bartlett, Jacob B.
Moore, Andrew Peirce, William Smith, jun., and
Nathaniel A. Haven, jun., with their associates,
and such other persons as shall from time to
time he admitted members of said association,
according to such by-laws as the members of said
association may establish, be, and they hereby
are, created a body politic and corporate, and shall

4 Act of Incorporation.
forever hereafter continue a body politic and cor
porate, by the name of the New- Hampshire His
torical Sodety, aM for the purposes afor^iSaid ; and
with all the powers, privileges, and liahilities in
cident to corporations of this nature.
Sec. 2. And be it further macted, That the
said corporation may receive and take by giftj
grant, devise, or otherwise, and hold, possess and
enjoy, exclusive of the building or buildings which
may be acttially occupied and used for the safe
keeping of their books, papers and records, and
of their cabinets of natural history, and mineral
ogy, and exclusive of their hooks, papers and cabi
nets aforesaid, real arid personal estate, the yeiarly
value of which sHall not exceed three thousand
dollars; provided aMays, that the estate afore
said be appropriated for the purpiOses aforesaid.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said
corporation shall have full power and authority
to determine at what place their lihrary and cabi
nets shall be, established ; at what times and
places their meetings shall be holden ; and in
what manner the memhers shall he notified of
such meetings ; to elect frx)m among the mem
bers of said corporation such officers, with such
powers and dutie^, as they shall judge expedient ;
and also to ordain arid eriact any by-laws for the
government of said corporation, provided the same
be ribt repugnant to the constitution and laws of
this State.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the said
Ichabod Bartlett, William Smith, jun. and Na
thaniel A. Havens jun., or any two of them, shall
have power to call th€ first meeting of said cor-

Act of Incorporation, 5
poration, at such time and place, and may notify
the members of said association in such manner,
as they may deem expedient.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
In the House of Representatives, June 11, 1823.
The foregoing bill, having had three several
readings, passed to be enacted.
Sent up for concurrence,
ANDREW PEIRCE, Speaker.
In Senate, June 12, 1823.
This bill, having had three several readings,
was enacted. DAVID L. MORRIL, President.
Approved, June 13, 1823.
LEVI WOODBURY, Governor.

A true copy —
Attest, Samuel Sparhawk, Secretary.

THE CONSTITUTION
Of the New-Hampshire Historical Society.

1. The object of the New-Hampshire Histori
cal Society shall be to discover, procure, and pre
serve whatever may relate to the natural, civil,
literary, and ecclesiastical history of the United
States in general, and of this State in particular.
2. The Society shall consist of resident and
honorary members, the forriaer to be persons resid
ing in the State of New-Hampshire ; the latter, per
sons residing elsewhere. The number of resident
members shall not exceed fifty ; the number of
honorary members shall not exceed the number
of the resident.
3. The election of members shall be by ballot
at the annual meetings. No member shall here
after be elected by less than six votes ; and, in all
cases, the votes of two-thirds of the members pres
ent shall be necessary to a choice.
' 4. Each member (honorary members excepted,
with whom it shall be optional) shall pay, before
the annual meeting next following his election, the
sum of five dollars. The society may assess taxes
at the annual meetings, on each resident member,
not exceeding three dollars in one year. Any per
son neglecting to pay the aforesaid sum of five
dollars, or any tax^for the term of two years, shall
cease to be a member.

8 Constitution of the Historical Society,
5. The annual meeting of the Society shall be
holden at Concord on the second Wednesday in
June. Other meetings may be held at such times
and places as the Society may from time to time
direct. It shall be the duty of the President, and
in his absence, of one of the Vice Presidents, up
on the application of three members, to call a spe
cial meeting of the Society, of which notice shall
be given in a newspaper printed in Concord, and
anottier printed in Portsmouth, at least fifteen 4^^
before (the meeting.
6. The officers of the society, to be elected at
the annual meeting and by ballot, shall be— ^a Pres
ident, two Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, a, Recprd*
ing Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, and ji
Librarian, who shall hold their offices for thcr term
of one year, and until others are el^^ted in their
places ; provided, that the first election of officers
under this Constitution shall be made at such time
and places as the Society may direct.
7. The Constitution may be amended at ^ny
annual meeting, as the Society shall deem proper,
by the votes of two-thirds of the members pres
ent ; provided, notice of the proposed amendment
shall be given in writing, and entered onthe jour
nal at the preceding annual meeting.

Atrae copy of the €opstitHtion of the HisUwical 8ocie(y,
adxjpted June 13, 1823.
Attest.... JQHN KELLY, iieC. &c'»^.

THE BY-LAWS
Of the New-Hampshire Historical Society.

ARTICLE r.

Section I. At the meeting in June, there shall
annually be elected, by ballot, a Standing Com
mittee, a committee to settle with the Treasurer,
and, when necessary, a committee to superintend
the publications of the Society ; provided that the
first election of said committees may be made at
such time and place as the Society may direet.
And if the Society shall deem it necessary, they
may, at any meeting, appoint other committees,
and designate the duties to be performed by them.
2. When less than six members are present at
any meeting, the consent of two-thirds shall be
necessary to pass any vote, except to adjourn.
3. At the request of any three members pres
ent, any motion shall be deferred to another meet
ing, for further consideration, before it is finally
determined, and shall then be taken up.
4. The President, when present, shall preside
in the meeting ; when he is absent, one of the Vice-
Presidents ; but in their absence, the Society shall
elect a President pro tempore, who shall then
preside. 5. The Librarian shall be keeper of the mu
seum.

10 By-Laws of the Historical Society.
6. No alteration or addition to the by-laws shall
be made, unless th^re are eight members present,
and two-thirds of those present vote in favor of
the same. ARTICLE II.
Laws, relating to the Library and Museum.
Section 1. All books and manuscripts which
shall be presented to the library, and every curi
osity presented to the museum, when accepted by
the Society, shall-be with thanks to the donor.
2. Every present received $hall be recorded,
and an account of it rendered to the next meeting
oftthe Society.
3. All books and other articles belonging to
the Society shall be appraised, and the price of
each article shall be mentioned in the catalogue.
4. All pamphlets shall be bound, except dupli
cates, which shall be kept by themselves, and trip
licates shall be exchanged.
5. All manuscripts shall be distinctly marked
and numbered, and kept in cases of paper ; which
shall also be numbered, and the contents of each
registered. 6. A printed ticket shall be pasted on the inside
of the cover of each book, signifying that it is the
property of the Society, arid also the name of the
donor, if it be a present.
7. Newspapers and maps shall not be taken out
of the library, except by the publishing committee.
8. No book or manuscript shall be loaned or
taken from the library without the consent of the

By-Laws of the Historical Society. 1 1
Librarian, vvho shall take a receipt from the bor
rower to return the same undamaged within four
weeks, or pay a forfeiture of three times the ap
praised value of such book or manuscript, as the
same is appraised in the catalogue aforesaid. A
member shall not have more than three books at
a time, unless by special leave obtained by vote of
the Society. He shall not retain any volume longer
than four weeks, but may renew the same once ;
after which lie shall not immediately have the
same without special leave from the Standing
Committee. Provided this shall not prevent the
Publishing Committee from taking out of the li
brary, with the knowledge of the Librarian, as
many books and papers as they may want.
9. An application in writing, left with the Li
brarian, shall secure any volume or set for a fort
night after it may be returned to the library ; and
if more than one such application be made, they
shall be answered in the order of their respective
dates. ^
10. If books or manuscripts be requested for
public uses, or for the peculiar benefit of persons
whom the Society is disposed to objige, the ap
plication shall be made to the Librarian, through
the medium of some member, who shall be re
sponsible, in a written obligation, for the return
of each article borrowed, within such time as shall
be stipulated by the Librarian, not exceeding three
months. 11. AH persons who take books from the libra
ry, shall be answerable for any injury to the same,
which shall be estimated by the Standing Com
mittee.

12 By-Laws of the Historical Society.
12. The privilege of using the library shall be
suspended, as it respects the person who neglects
to pay any forfeiture, fine, or assessment of dam
ages, longer than one month after he shall receive
notice from the Librarian.
13. At each meeting of the Society, every mem
ber shall, in person, if present, and in writing, if
absent, give an account of the books and manu
scripts, or whatever article belonging to the Socie
ty, he may have in his possession.
ARTICLE in.
Laws, relating to the Librarian and Keep&r of the
Museum.
Section 1. The Librarian and Keeper of the
Museum, hereafter to be elected, shall annually
give such security to the Society as the Standing
Committee shall require, for the faithful perform
ance of his trust ; the security to be deposited
with the Recording Secretary.
2. He shall receive and have in his custody all
books, papers, and productions of nature 4nd
art, the property of the Society, and which apper
tain to, the library and museum. These he shall
arrange in classes, and register in a book, with a
proper description of each article, and frequently
examine the whole, and keep them in good order.
3. He shall record in a book, to be provided for
that purpose, every donation presented and ac
cepted by him for the use of the Society, express
ing the article given, the time, and name of the
donor.

By-Laws of the Historical Society. 13
4. He shall communicate the thanks of the
Society to each donor, for all articles presented
and by him accepted for the use of the Society.
5. He shall, under the direction of the Stand
ing Committee, bind the pamphlets in volumes ;
and mark and number the manuscripts.
6. He shall paste a printed ticket in the inside
of the cover of each book, signifying that it is the
property of the Society, with the name of the
donor, if it be a present.
7. He shall, at every annual meeting of the
Society in June, present to the meeting a cata
logue of all the books, manuscripts, and maps in
the library, and curiosities in the museum, belongr
ing to the Society. ARTICLE IV.
Laws, relating to the Standing Committee.
Section 1 . The Standing Committee shall re
commend plans for promoting the objects of the
Society ; digest and prepare business ; inquire
for, and endeavor to obtain, on the best terms,
manuscripts, books, and articles of curiosity, and
solicit and receive donations for the Society.
2. They shall inspect the records, and inquire
whether all the orders of the Society are carried
into effect with precision and promptitu4e ; and
also the library and museum, and make report of
them to the annual meetings in June, and what
books are particularly wanted. '
3. They shall appraise all books and other ar
ticles belonging to the -Society ; and the price of
each shall be mentioned in the catalogue.

14 By-Laws of the Historical Society.
4. They shall aid the Librarian and Keeper of
the museum, when he shall require it, in the ar
rangement of the books, pamphlets, maps, and
manuscripts, and the articles belonging to the
museum ; and especially attend to the preservation
and binding of books and pamphlets.
5. They shall regulate all the common ex
penses of the Society ; make the necessary pro
vision of such small articles as may be wanted ;
draw upon the Treasurer for the payment there
of, and for all such sums as the Society may from
time to time vote and appropriate for specific pur
poses. 6. They shall, when the state of the treasury
will permitjdirect the Treasurer to loan the money,'
belonging to the Society, on interest, taking suffi
cient security for its re-payment, or vest the money
in such funds as vvill be safe and productive.
7. They shall, in case of the death, resignation,
incapacity, or removal out of the State of New-
Hampshire, of either of the Secretaries, or Treas
urer, or Librarian and Keeper of the museum,
take charge of the official books, papers, and effects
belonging to the office so vacated, one or more
of the committee giving a receipt for the same ;
which books and property they may deliver to
some member of the Society, whom they may
appoint to fill the office until the next meeting of
the Society, when there shall be a new choice.

By-Laws of the Historical Society. 1 5
ARTICLE V.
Laws, relating to the Committee of Publications.
Section 1. When the funds of the Society will
defray the expense, and sufficient materials are
collected for the purpose, the Committee of Pub
lications are authorized to make such publications,
from time to time, as they shall deem expedient.
, 2. The contributions for such publications shall
be voluntary ; and of those made, such only shall
be printed as the committee shall direct.
ARTICLE VI.
Laws, relating to the Recording Secretary.
Section 1. The Recording Secretary shall at
tend all meetings of the Society, record in a book,
provided for that purpose, all their proceedings,
and keep the records in his custody ; and he shall
keep all letters he receives respecting the Society,
and the securities given by the Treasurer, and
Librarian and Keeper of the museum, and the
same preserve on file, under the direction of the
Standing Committee.
2. He shall record the names of all the members
of the Society, and the time of their admission ;
and transmit to each of them, as soon as may be,
a printed copy of the Act of Incorporation, the
Constitution and By-Laws of the Society.
3. He shall notify every officer whom the So
ciety shall hereafter elect, unless such officer was
present at the time of his election.

1 6 By-Laws of the Historical Society.
4. He shall notify all meetings of the Society, ,
annual and special, in one newspaper printed in
Concord, and another printed in Portsmouth, fif
teen days previous to the day of meeting ; in
which notification, the hour and place of meeting
shall be designated ; but any neglect in this par
ticular shall not prevent the annual meeting in
June, or annul its proceedings. )
ARTICLE VII.
Laws, relating to the Corresponding Secretary.
Section 1. The Corresponding Secretary shall
receive, and, at the next meeting after, read all
communications made to the Society ; he shall
conduct and manage all the correspondence of
the Society.
2. He shall, in books provided for the purpose.
keep copies of all letters written by him for the
Society, and deliver over the same, witkthe letter
books, when filled, to the Librarian.
ARTICLE Vin.
Laws, relating to the Treasurer and Committee
to settle with him.
Section 1. The Treasurer, hereafter to be
elected, shall annually give such security to the
Society, as the standing committee shall require,
for the faathful performance of his trust ; the se
curity to be deposited with the Recording Secre
tary. 2, He shall give seasonable notice to each mem
ber of the Society of each and every assessment

By-Laws of the Historical Society. 17
or tax, the time when it was raised, and request
them to pay it ; and also give notice to such oth
er persons as may otherwise be indebted to the
Society, whenever it may be necessary to collect
such debts,
3. He shall receive all monies and evidence of
property belonging to the Society ; pay all orders
of the Standing Committee drawn by them on
him ; keep a record of his receipts and expendi
tures, and exhibit the same, when requested to, and
settle with the committee appointed for that
purpose. 4. He shall, under the direction of the Stand
ing Committee, when the state of the treasury
will permit, loan the money, belonging to the
Society, on interest ; taking sufficient security for
its re-payment, or vest it in such funds as will be
safe and productive.
5. The committee to settle with the Treasurer
shall annually examine his accounts an^ vouchers,
and make a report thereon to the Society every
year at their June meeting, exhibiting a full and
particular account of the state of the treasury and
funds belonging to the Society.

a true copy of the By-Laws adopted by the Neiv-Hampshire
Historical Society, Sept. 17, 1823. \ ^
Attest.... JO^N KELLY, i?eip. See>ry.

Articles on which the Society wish for Information.
Among the subjects to which the members of the New-Hamp-
shire Historical Society will direct their attention, and on
which they request information, may be enumerated the fol
lowing. 1. The circumstances attending the early settlements formed
in New-Hampshire ; the history of the settlement of each town ;
the number and condition of the first settlers ; the names of the
principal persons and their biography ; the contests with the ab
originals, and all the important events which have occurred
since the first settlenient.
2. An account of ecclesiastical transactions ; — the time when
the churches of different religious denominations were formed ;
the names of all the ministers who have had pastoral charges ;
the dates of their settlement and removal, whether by death or
otherwise ; the name of the college at which they were educa
ted, the year, and their literary publications.
3. The time when schools and other setninaries of learning
were instituted ; their funds and patrons ; — the different literary
publications by residents of the several towns ; the time and
place when and where printed ; the form and number of pages.
Under this article may be comprised all information relating to
libraries and the publication of newspapers.
4. Information concerning the Indian tribes inhabiting differ
ent parts of the state ; their number and condition when first
visited by the whites ; their trades, disputes, wars, and treaties,
either among themselves, or with the white people ; their char
acter, customs and general history ; — the Indian names of moun
tains, rivers, lakes, and every Indian word which can be recov
ered. 5. Any remarkable laws, customs, or usages, either local or
general at early periods of our colonial establishment ; all an
cient documents and manuscript letters illustrative of the hab
its of the early settlers.
6. Records of the state of the atmosphere ; the influence of
the climate and seasons on the human constitution ; observa
tions on diseases ; accurate bills of mortality, shewing the num
ber of deaths each month, the sex, age, disease ; — ^instances of
longevity over 90 years.
7. Description^, drawings, or other communications concern
ing ancient fortifications, caverns, mountains, or any natural cu
riosities, together with minute information concerning the dates
of their discovery, or of any remarkable events respecting them,.

20 Books, 8fc. wanted by the Society.
and in general, every fact which may throw light on their origin
and history.
C. Topographical descriptions of the sfeveral 'towns, including
au account of tSe mountains, 'rivers, ponds, animals, vegetable
productions ; their mineralogjr and geological appearances.
9. Copifcs of the early recbrds of the four first towns settled
in the state, viz., Portsmouth^ Dover, Exetfcr and Hampton,
would probably furnish many interesting facts, and Would be
highly acceptable to the Society.

Books, Pamphlets, ^c.j wanted by the Society.
In order to promote the objects for which the Historical Soci
ety was instituted, the members are anxious to collect the mate
rials for the civil and ecclesiastical history of the country. Among
the Books, &c., which the Society wish to collect and preserve,
may be mentioned — ¦
Every publication, of whatet^er description, issuing from the
press in New-Hampshire ; and also in other states.
Copies of rare books in the Civil, or Ecclesiastical History
, of this State, or of the United States.
Books of any kind, printed in this or other countries, which
may be worthy of preservation.
,Sermons, On the discovery of America.
On the completion of one century from the discov
ery or settlement of any state, town^ or other
place in the United States.
Delivered before the General Court.
At the anniversary conventions of the clergy, Epis
copal, Presbyterian, Congregational or Baptist.
On annual and special Fasts and Thanksgivings.
To militia companies or to troops in camp.
On viotory^or defeat in war.
On the raturn of peace.
On remarkable events, as fires, earthquakes, epi-
demick sickness, fcc.
At town meetings and on other popular occasions.
Orations, Sermons, or Poems, On the anniversary of the first
landing of our ancestors at
Plymouth.
On the anniversary of the 5th
of March.
On the anniversary of the 4th
of July.

Books, Sfc. wanted by the Society. 21
Orations, Sermons, or Poems, On the death of eminent char
acters in church or state.
Before any literary society.
Journals, Laws, Resolves and Protests, Of Congresses.
Of Assemblies, Con
ventions, and other
legislative and de
liberative bodies.
Conferences and Treaties of public Commissioners, appoint
ed to treat with Indians.
Tax Acts of an older date than 1775.
Proclaipations by authority, and other single printed sheets.
Proceedings of Episcopal conventions. Ecclesiastical councils,
Presbyteries, Synods, General Assemblies, Baptist associ
ations ; Circular Letters of the societies of Friends ; and
of other denominations of christians.
Indian exploits, speeches, anecdotes, &c.
Narratives, Of battles with the Indians.
Of captives, their exploits, sufferings, escapes,
fcc.
Of missionaries and itinerant preachers of all
denominations.
Journals, Of voyagers and travellers, for discovery, curiosi
ty, or other causes.
Minutes, or other doings of political clubs.
Magazines, museums, newspapers, &c.

ALPHABETICAL LIST
Of the Resident Members of the New-Hampshire
Historical Society.
[Those followed with {| are Members of the American Antiquarian Society— (Jiose
with t are Corresponding Members of the Massachusetts Historical Society.]
Benjamin Abbot, LL D. |{, of Exeter.
Ebenezer Adams, Esq. {| of Hanover.
Nathaniel Adams, Esq. {| of Portsmouth.
David Barker, jun. Esq. of Rochester.
Hon. Ichabod Bartlett, of Portsmouth.
James Bartlett, Esq, of Dover.
Richard Bartlett, Esq. of Concord.
Rev. Charles Burroughs, of Portsmouth.
Peter Chadwick, Esq. of Exeter.
Charles W. Cutter, Esq. of Dover.
John Farmer, Esq. ||t of Concord.
Asa Freeman, Esq. oi Dover.
Charles B. ^ladduek, A. M. of Hanover.
Nathaniel A. Haven, jun. Esq. t of Portsmouth.
Hosea Hildreth, A. M. of Exeter.
John Kelly, Esq. || of Northwood.
George Kent, Esq. of Concord.
Mr. Alexander Ladd, of Portsmouth.
Hon. Jeremiah Mason, LL. D. of Portsmouth.
Stephen Mitchell, Esq. of Durham.
Mr. Jacob B. Moore, [| of Concord.
Parker Noyes, Esq^j. of Salisbury.
Rev. Nathan Parker, D. D. of Portsmouth. •
Oliver W. B. Peabody, Esq. of Exeter.
Hon. Andrew Peirce, of Dover.
Hon. William Plumer, ||t of Eppitig.
Hon. William Plumer, jun. of Epping.
Rev. Israel W. Putnam, of Portsmouth.
Hon. Jeremiah Smith, LL. D. {| of Exeter.
William Smith, jun. Esq. of Exeter.
Rev. Bennet Tyler, D. D. of Hanover.
Gen. Timothy Upham, of Portsmouth.
His Exc. Levi Woodbury, LL. D. of Portsmouth.

president.
Hon. WILLIAM plumer; Epping'.
VICE-PRESIDENTS.
His Exc. LEVJ WOODBURY, LL. D. Portsmouth.
Rev. BkNNiET TYLER, D. D. President Dart. College.
, ... ;EiEC0IlDIN9 SECBpT.4^. , .
JOHN KELLY, Esq. Northwood^ .
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
NATHANIEL A." HAVEN, jm- Esq. Portsmouth.
TREASURER.
GEORGE KENT, Esq. Cpncord.
LIBPAMAN.
Mr. JACOB B. MOORE, Concord.
STANDING COM^TTEE. .^ .
NATHANIEL ADAMS, Esq. Poctsmojithi
Rev. NATHAN PARKER, D. D. do; ;
Prof HOSEA HILDRETH, Exeter.
-'committee of publication.
Hon. WILLIAIjt PLUMER, jun. Epping.
PARKER NOYES, Esq. Salisbury.
JOHN FARMER, Esq. Concord.

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