2002.016.006

The series contains four books of meeting minutes and information kept by the Ladies' Aid, an organization of the Progressive Spiritualist Society of Lawrence, later named the First Spiritualist Church of Methuen, MA. The first book was kept by Mrs.Barry, Secretary of the Ladies' Aid, who lived at 35 Gilbert Street, Lawrence, MA. The book has scant minutes of the meetings and a brief accounting of money raised and money spent. It covers the years from September, 1900 through November 20, 1902. At the back of the book is a hand-written poem about baseball. The second book is titled: "The Ladies Aid of the First Spiritual Church of Methuen, Mass." The book is dated from September 12, 1907 through 1920. The entries include minutes of meetings and information about monies raised. The third record book,entitled "Ladies Aid Society First Spiritual Church," begins with November 10, 1919 and concludes on December 8, 1941. The entries include minutes of meetings and an accounting of monies raised. The fourth book of the "Ladies' Aid of The First Spiritual Church Methuen" begins with a December meeting in 1941 and concludes in May, 1950. Ruth Shaw was the secretary at this time. The minutes of the meetings are lengthy and included is a listing of members of the Ladies' Aid and their birthdays.

admin: The Ladies' Aid Society was mentioned in the Clerk's Record book of the Progressive Spiritualist Society of Lawrence (later,of Methuen)1900, stating the following,'"A resolution was also passed asking the ladies of the Society to form a Ladies' Aid Society." On February 28, 1900 the request to form the organization is mentioned again, with a written request sent to the ladies of the Society for the purpose " that they might help the Society financially." By April 4, 1900 the Ladies' Aid had been organized.

Collection came from Mary Hagopian.The records were given to the donor by Mr.Thomas Hadfield, President of the Spiritualist Church, 1 Peaslee Terrace, #2, Methuen, MA.

4 books. The first book is a soft-cover paper book with the word "Composition" on the cover. The pages are un-numbered and about half are blank. The entries are hand-written. The second book is a hard-cover book, with hand-written entries, with pages numbered up to #104 with the first 20 pages having been removed. Book #3 is a hard-cover book with the word " Record" on the front cover. The cover and first few pages are in poor condition. The book has 252 pages, with entries up to page 125. Book #4 is a soft-cover, spiral bound copy book " Student School Series Composition Book" on the cover. The entries are handwritten in pencil and ink.

Inventory, created in October 2002 by B.Brown, with one copy in the box and a second copy in the archivist's office.

The first book is a soft-cover paper book with the word "Composition" on the cover. The pages are un-numbered and about half are blank. The entries are hand-written. The second book is a hard-cover book, with hand-written entries, with pages numbered up to #104 with the first 20 pages having been removed. Book #3 is a hard-cover book with the word " Record" on the front cover. The cover and first few pages are in poor condition. The book has 252 pages, with entries up to page 125. Book #4 is a soft-cover, spiral bound copy book " Student School Series Composition Book" on the cover. The entries are handwritten in pencil and ink.