Hamilton History Buffs Can Look Back Centuries Online

The Hamilton Historical Society is in the business of the past, but it is embracing the future to do the work.

In a letter posted on the Hamilton town website, Historical Society President Annette Janes and Vice President Emily Cook announced that annual town records dating back to the 1800s are now available via a simple online search. The fastest way to search is with the “this just in (more)” box.

A quick search of the online archive revealed the oldest record to be the Town of Hamilton Annual Report: Volumen 1840-1846. There’s also a school committee report dating back to 1856, among hundreds of other records.

Among the things curious history buffs can find:

• From March 1939 to March 1940, the town paid a “Wm. Brown” $10 for services as ”selectman, assessor, overseer of the poor and preambulating lines.”
• In 1863, the Hamilton School Committee report noted that all seven teachers in the town were quite successful and they accomplished all their teaching with a school budget of just $800.

And not to be outdone, there’s plenty to search when it comes to historical records of Wenham as well.

The letter from the Hamilton Historical Society leadership also invites residents to become involved in the work of the society.

“We are much in need of workers for labeling, filing, arranging, and many other small tasks. For those of you who are helping out on a regular basis, Thank you! Thank you! For those of you who would like to join us, you will have so much fun!”

Check out the full letter on the town’s website and the online archive here.