50th Anniversary of Essex Archaeological Society: Transactions n.s. Volume 9 Part 2

Colchester, in the early years of the
twentieth century

This week we celebrate the 160th Anniversary of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History.  The follwing extract comes from 1903, illustrating how times have changed.  Members are no longer elected, but may join. 

An extract from Transactions n.s. Volume 9 Part 2, taken from http://www.archive.org/stream/transactionsess01socigoog/transactionsess01socigoog_djvu.txt

MEETING HELD AT COLCHESTER, ON THURSDAY, 25th JUNE, 1903, TO CELEBRATE THE JUBILEE OF THE ESSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

A special general meeting of the Society was held at Colchester on Thursday, 25th June, 1903, to celebrate the Jubilee of the Society's inauguration. According to strict chronology the meeting should have been held in 1902, the Society having been founded in the year 1852 ; circumstances, however, led to the unavoidable postponement of the celebration until the present year.

The day's proceedings began with a meeting at the Moot Hall over which the President, Henry Laver, Esq., F.S.A., presided.

After the Mayor of the Borough (H. H. Elwes, Esq.) had welcomed the Society in a few cordial and well-chosen words, the President delivered an address, in which, after speaking with regret of the illness of the late President, G. A. Lowndes, Esq., who for 25 years had held that position, he proceeded to give the history in outline of the Society and to urge very strongly the value and interest of the study of archaeology. In alluding to the foundation and growth of the Colchester Museum Dr. Laver acknowledged in grateful terms the help given by the late Charles Gray Round, Esq., and other members of his family, in providing the Society with rooms at the Castle in which the archaeological treasures of the town and district might be stored, and went on to say that the joint arrangement made with the Corporation, had resulted in their being able to preserve in Colchester one of the richest collections of Romano-British relics in the kingdom. Special mention was made of the acquisition of the Jarmin and Joslin collections, and of the fine collection of coins preserved in the Museum. The address concluded with an earnest appeal for an increased membership of the Society, in order that its sphere of usefulness and activity might be enlarged.

Mr. Hercules Read, I'.S.A., of the British Museum, (Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries), proposed a resolution advocating support of the Essex and kindred Archaeological Societies. The resolution was seconded by the Rev. Dr. Cox. The Rev. Canon Raven and Mr. Romilly Allen also spoke, and the motion was then put and carried unanimously.

Mr. G. F. Beaumont, F.S.A., late Secretary of the Society, proposed the election of Mr. G. A. Lowndes as a Vice-President; carried unanimously.

The following were then elected as members of the Society:-

ON THE NOMINATION OF

Lang, Sir R. Hamilton, The Grove, Dedham. The Hon. Secretary.

Young, Col. H. Howlett, 101, Inglis Road, Colchester, i .p. President

Barritt, E. H., 26, Beaconsfield Avenue, Colchester. /

Baskett, H. F., 21, Wellesley Road, Colchester. Mr. Winch.

Coley, H. C, Glengair Lodge, Bishops Stortford. Mr. G. E. Pritchett

A short paper on the history and progress of the Society was read by Mr. F. Chancellor, F.R.I.B.A.

Mr. I. C. Gould addressed the meeting with reference to the contemplated transference of the Union of Saffron Walden from Essex to Cambridgeshire, and proposed a resolution appealing to the Essex County Council to prevent the cession of any more Essex parishes to Cambridgeshire, and protesting against this wanton destruction of ancient landmarks. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Chancellor and unanimously adopted.

The meeting closed with votes of thanks to the Mayor for kindly allowing the Society the use of the Moot Hall, and to the President for his conduct in the chair.

After luncheon at the Cups Hotel, a visit was paid to some of the principal objects of antiquarian interest in the town, under the guidance of the President.

At Holy Trinity Church a paper was read by Professor Sylvanus Thompson on the genealogy of Dr. William Gilberd, who was born at Colchester in 1544 and buried in this church.

Before leaving Colchester the members and their friends were hospitably entertained to tea by the Mayor at the Town Hall.