4th of July in Old Dorchester [oversize], 1858 July 3

The Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society Collection consists of records created by the Society itself as well as documents concerning the town and people of Dorchester, Mass. The Society records include notifications and minutes of meetings, committee reports, member nominations, and a visitor’s book. There are notes and a draft version of the history of Dorchester that the Society published in 1859. The papers include a group of correspondence from various dignitaries indicating whether they would attend the 225th anniversary of the settlement of Dorchester as well as the letter sent by the citizens of Dorchester requesting Edward Everett to speak at the celebration and a manuscript copy of his oration. Absent from this collection is the incorporation papers and by-laws which are among the papers held by the Massachusetts Historical Society. However, the bulk of the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society Papers at NEHGS consists of original documents concerning the town and people of Dorchester, Mass.

The original documents fall into several general groups: church, financial, marriage intentions, military, real estate, school, and town records as well as the records of several societies, clubs, associations of Dorchester. The church records include proprietor meeting minutes, correspondence concerning the Second Parish controversy involving the Rev. Codman resulting in the formation of the Third Parish, and programs of services, exercises, etc.

The financial records include tax lists, bills, receipts, lists of payments and contributions, etc. The military records include alarm lists, muster roll, soldier lists, documents relating to Castle William (i.e. Fort Independence), and an orderly book for the First Regiment, First Brigade of the Massachusetts Militia. The political records consist primarily of party tickets and broadsides announcing future rallies, meetings, etc. The real estate records are primarily deeds from the 18th century and copies of a few 17th century deeds. The school records include notes on town meetings concerning school issues, supplies, teacher applicants and resignations, student lists as well as documents concerning Milton Academy. The Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society Collection includes some school records of the North School District in Medfield, Mass. The Medfield documents contain an account book with entries from 1728-1735 that document payments for rattlesnake tails, the killing of a wild cat, payments to schoolmasters, etc. The town records include notices of town meetings, lists of voters, warrants, etc.