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UNIVERSITY

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MEMOIR OF HON. JOSHUA THOMAS, OF PLYMOUTH, WHO DIED JANUARY 10, 1821.

It is now almost thirty years since the formation of the Historical Society of Massachusetts. Its enlightened and liberal founders were past the meridian of age. The persons first chosen members of the association were also generally selected from among those who had attained some celebrity as men of information, and had reached the same period of life. The most of them, therefore, have been called away from these scenes of labour and enterprize. Sullivan, Belknap, Eliot, Thacher, Minot, Tudor and others, have received our parting regrets; and their memories are cherished as patriots, and as benefactors of mankind. The institution they founded has already been attended with great advantages, in collecting and preserving materials necessary for a perfect history of America; and its objects are justly appreciated by the intelligent part of the community.

It is now our melancholy duty to record the death of another highly esteemed member of our Society. The Hon. Joshua Thomas, late of Plymouth, who died in January, 1821, was early chosen one of the association. His attachment to the principles and manners of the first settlers of New England, his general and extensive information, and his particular taste for the early history of Massachusetts, were qualifications which justly entitled him to this election.

Mr. Thomas was born in 1751, in the ancient town of Plymouth, hallowed as the early abode of our pilgrim fathers, who fled to this new world, in 1620, to avoid the

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