MEMOIR 
OF 
HENRY WHEATLAND, M.D. 
BY 
WILLIAM P. UPHAM. 
Reprinted from the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical 
Society for January, 1895.] MEMOIR 
OF 
HENRY WHEATLAND, M.D. 
BY 
WILLIAM P. UPHAM. 
[Reprinted from the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical 
Society for January, 1895.] 
CAMBRIDGE: 
JOHN WILSON AND SON. 
SHnibcrsitg Ijlrcss. 
1895. MEMOIR. 
Among the historical and scientific societies which have 
done so much to bring honor and credit to our country, one of 
the most useful and widely known to those interested in such 
pursuits is the Essex Institute at Salem, Massachusetts. This 
institution, formed in 1848 by a union of two societies pre- 
viously existing, has for its object the collection of material 
and the diffusion of knowledge relating to history, science, and 
the arts. 
With but very slender resources in the way of permanent 
funds, and depending almost wholly upon the immediate sym- 
pathy and interest of the community in which it exists and 
upon the gratuitous services of its officers, it has built up a 
library of over sixty thousand volumes and one hundred and 
seventy-five thousand unbound volumes and pamphlets. It 
has published twenty-nine volumes of " Historical Collections" 
and twenty-eight volumes containing, beside the records of its 
meetings, many scientific memoirs of recognized value. It has 
held innumerable " field meetings " and horticultural and art 
exhibitions, and in conjunction with an allied society, the 
Peabody Academy of Science, has gathered in its cabinets a 
vast amount of material admirably arranged for the study of 
science, history, and ethnology, and forming a collection which 
is open to the public and is examined and studied by many 
thousands of visitors, annually, from all parts of the country 
and indeed of the civilized world. Its influence has spread 
among the people of Essex County, to whose interest it is 
specially devoted, a taste for enlightened pursuits which gives 
character to the whole region. 4 
The principal organizer and promoter of this institution, 
who gave to its objects the whole of his life without stint 
and without any personal remuneration, and who was for many 
years its honored presiding officer, was our late associate, Dr. 
Henry Wheatland. 
The full and elaborate memorial addresses which were de- 
livered by members of the Essex Institute at a special meeting 
soon after his death, and which have been published by that 
Society, render almost superfluous any extended memoir here. 
It is well, however, to place upon the records of this Society a 
sufficient recognition of the life of one of its members who in 
another field did so much to spread abroad an intelligent in- 
terest in historical matters, and whose career as the patient 
upbuilder of a most valuable sister institution is so remarkable. 
I hope to be able to add to a brief summary of the tributes 
already paid to the character of the man some particulars of 
his life and of his family, together with certain reminiscences 
with which I have been favored by friends who knew him in- 
timately. If space allowed, extracts from his correspondence 
and papers would illustrate his early and constant interest in 
matters in any way relating to his favorite pursuits, and would 
show the confidence placed by all investigators, in whatever 
branch of science, history, or genealogy, in his readiness to 
impart freely from the great fund of information which he had 
accumulated. While he leaves no special treatise or published 
work to connect his memory with any particular study, the 
number of those who remember with gratitude his incidental 
aid in their chosen pursuits, or his wholesome influence stimu- 
lating their enthusiasm for intelligent observation or criticism, 
may be counted by thousands, and includes many persons then 
or since of world-wide reputation. 
Henry Wheatland, whose best memoir is thus to be found 
not only in the institution whose present high standing and 
success is, practically, the result of his life work, but also in 
the veneration entertained for his memory by all those who 
have ever co-operated with him, was born at Salem, Mass., 
Jan. 11, 1812, being the youngest of the six children of 
Richard and Martha (Goodhue) Wheatland. For the follow- 
ing account of the family of Richard Wheatland I am in- 
debted almost wholly to a statement given me by Miss Caro- 
line E. Bemis, of Salem, his granddaughter, supplemented 5 
by some autograph memoranda which I find among Dr. 
Wheatland's papers. 
Richard Wheatland was born at Wareham, Dorset County, 
England, Oct. 20, 1762. His parents were Peter Wheatland, 
who died in 1784, aged 75 years, and Bridget (Foxcroft) 
Wheatland, who died in 1817, aged 84 years. They were 
married about the year 1752, and had seven sons, John, 
George, Stephen, Peter, Richard, Robert, and a second John, 
and three daughters, Bridget, Margaret, and Anne. 
Richard, in early life, went to London to learn the trade 
of a leather-dresser, which he soon abandoned for the sea. 
Having served three years in the British Navy, being sta- 
tioned principally in the West Indies, he was discharged at 
the close of the war. In 1783 he came to Salem, and sailed 
from that port as sailor, officer, and commander of a merchant- 
vessel in the India trade. In 1801 he retired from the seas, 
and resided in Salem as a merchant until his decease, March 
18, 1830. He married, first, Margaret Silver, who died June 
13, 1789, leaving no child. He married, secondly, in 1796, 
Martha Goodhue, daughter of Stephen and Martha (Prescott) 
Goodhue, of Salem.1 They had six children, namely: - 
1. Stephen, born at Salem, Aug. 5, 1796, graduated H. C. 
1816, died at sea Feb. 19, 1818, from a fall on board ship " Per- 
severance " on his second voyage, being unmarried. Dr. 
Wheatland states that by tradition he was very fond of music, 
" was a favorite and very popular with his companions. It 
seems as if the music of the family centred in him." 
2. Richard Goodhue, born at Salem, Feb. 10, 1799, H. C. 
1818. He was interested throughout his life in commercial 
pursuits either as owner or commander of vessels. " In 1837, 
having lost his ship (the ' Boston ') on the Bahamas, he returned 
home with impaired health and was confined to his chamber 
for five years." He died at Salem, Feb. 6, 1842. He married, 
Feb. 23, 1823, Mary Bemis Richardson, daughter of John and 
Anna (Bemis) Richardson, of Newton, Mass. She was born 
Feb. 17, 1795, and died at Newton, Dec. 31, 1834, leaving two 
children, Stephen Goodhue and Richard Henry. 
3. Benjamin, born at Salem, May 27,1801, H. C. 1819, stud- 
ied law in the office of the Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, of Salem 
"practised law for some years in Salem, then removed to New 
1 For additional particulars see the Goodhue Genealogy and Prescott Memorial. 6 
Market, N. H., where he resided as agent of the manufacturing 
company in that town for about twenty years. Having been 
chosen treasurer of the same company, he returned to Salem, 
and continued in this position until a few months preceding 
his decease, which occurred Dec. 28, 1854." He married, 
April 9, 1827, Mary Eddy Bemis, daughter of Luke and 
Hannah (Eddy) Bemis, of Watertown, Mass., born July 4, 
1801, died at Salem, June 23, 1864. They left one daughter, 
Martha Goodhue Wheatland, born March 12, 1828, died June 
6, 1885. 
After Benjamin Wheatland's return to Salem, he interested 
himself in municipal affairs. He held various official positions, 
among others that of President of the Common Council. 
4. George, born at Salem, Nov. 10, 1804, H. C. 1824. He 
also studied law in the office of the Hon. Leverett Saltonstall. 
In early life he was active in politics, and was always charac- 
terized by an earnest, independent, and liberal expression of 
opinion and by good judgment. "To his intimate friends he 
was known as eminent in his charity, cordial in his friendships, 
and helpful to all around him. ... As a lawyer Mr. Wheat- 
land ranked high in the Essex Bar, and perhaps no one was 
more frequently consulted than he was by young lawyers who 
needed sound advice and safe counsels."1 He held several 
positions in the City Council, and was a member of both 
branches of the Massachusetts Legislature. He married, 
Feb. 6, 1833, Hannah Bemis Richardson, daughter of John 
and his second wife, Hannah (Bemis) Richardson, of Newton, 
Mass., born Dec. 23, 1811, died at Salem, March 15, 1840. 
George Wheatland died at Salem, Feb. 20, 1893, leaving one 
child, George Wheatland, of Boston. 
5. Martha, born May 29, 1807, married, Sept. 18, 1827, 
Robert Eddy Bemis, son of Luke and Hannah (Eddy) Bemis, 
of Watertown, born June 4, 1798, died at Chicopee, Mass., 
March 15, 1873. Martha died at Chicopee, Dec. 26, 1872, 
leaving one son, Robert Wheatland Bemis, and four daughters, 
Caroline E. Bemis, of Salem, Mrs. Mary W. Whitney, wife of 
Henry M. Whitney, of North Andover, Mrs. Sarah D. Fiske, 
of Malden, and Mrs. Martha G. Smith, of North Andover. 
6. Henry (the subject of this memoir), born Jan. 11, 1812, 
H. C. 1832, married, Feb. 3, 1858, Mary Catherine Mack, 
1 Salem Observer, March 4, 1893. 7 
daughter of Elisha and Catherine Sewall (Orne) Mack, of 
Salem, who was born Sept. 25, 1816, and died in Salem, Feb. 
13, 1862. They had no children. Henry died Feb. 27, 1893. 
It will be noticed that all the five brothers graduated from 
Harvard College. 
The high character of Dr. Wheatland's family, both on his 
father's and on his mother's side, had no doubt much to do in 
forming those excellent qualities so early and so constantly 
apparent in his life. Through his mother he was descended 
from Rev. Francis Higginson, the first minister in Salem, and 
was related to Prescott, the historian, and to the distinguished 
descendants of the Hon. Roger Sherman, William M. Evarts, 
and the brothers Judge E. R. Hoar and Senator George 
F. Hoar. 
The ancestry of Richard, the father of Henry, has not been 
traced beyond his father, Peter Wheatland, of Wareham, Eng- 
land. Dr. Wheatland, in a letter to John W. Dean, April 15, 
1885, speaking of his family and that of Stephen Wheatland, of 
Winchester, England, says: " Possibly there may exist some 
connection between the families, but at present it is only 
conjectural." 
Little is known as to the particulars of the life of Richard 
Wheatland prior to his coming to Salem in 1784, other than 
that he had honorably served in the British Navy. During 
his residence in Salem of nearly half a century, he acquired 
the esteem of the community, and attached himself to his 
friends by many excellent traits of character. Ina notice of 
his death, which happened by an accidental fall while on an 
errand of charity, the " Salem Gazette," of March 19,1830, says 
of him : " For many years he was an active and enterprising 
merchant, and was universally esteemed as a public-spirited 
citizen and a most kind and benevolent man." 
In this connection it may not be inappropriate to reprint in 
full an account which I find in the " Salem Gazette" of March 
5,1799, of a naval battle between the ship " Perseverance," com- 
manded by Capt. Richard Wheatland, and a French vessel of 
war. While presenting a vivid picture of the fierce encounters 
to which American shipping was then exposed, it shows the 
resolute character of Captain Wheatland. His success in the 
affair was perhaps largely due to his experience in the British 
Navy. The matter-of-course though "polite" way in which 8 
his ship was overhauled on the high seas by a British frigate, 
and his papers examined, is an interesting bit of history. 
A Sea Fight 
Gallantly and victoriously maintained by the ship Perseverance, Capt. 
Richard Wheatland, of this port, against one of the vessels of war of 
the " Terrible Republic." The French rascals, contrary to the laws of 
war & of honour, fought under false colours, whilst the Eagle, true to his 
charge, spread his wings on the American flag. - 
The following is Captain Wheatland's Letter to his Owners. 
Ship Perseverance, Old Straits of 
Bahama, Jan. 1, 1799. 
Gentlemen, - Conceiving we may possibly meet an opportunity of 
forwarding this immediately on our arrival at the Havana, or perhaps 
before, induces me to give an account of our voyage thus far. 
Until 26th. Dec. met nothing very material, except heavy disagree- 
able weather, off the coast; and having the wind so far to the West- 
ward as to preclude the possibility of making our passage round the 
Bank, were compelled contrary to our wishes to go through the Old 
Streights of Bahama. On the afternoon of the 27th. were boarded by 
the British frigate Romilla, Capt. Rolles, our papers examined, and we 
treated with great politeness. They purchased (at our own prices) a 
number of articles from the cargo and of the people. Three days before 
they had captured a French privateer sloop, of 10 guns and 60 men, 
and retook an American brig, her prize. After two hours detention, 
we were permitted to proceed, which we did, without meeting any inter- 
ruption, till Monday, 31st. December - for particulars of that day we 
give an extract from a journal kept on board. 
Dec. 31st. Key Romain in sight, bearing South, distance 4 or 5 
leagues - A schooner has been in chase of us since 8 o'clock, and has 
every appearance of a privateer. At 1 o'clock, P. M., finding the 
schooner come up with us very fast, took in steering sails, fore and aft, 
and royals; at half past 1 about ship and stood for her; she immedi- 
ately tacked and made sail from us; we fired a gun to leeward, and 
hoisted the American ensign at our mizen peak ; she hoisted a Spanish 
jack at main topmast head, and continued to run from us. Finding 
she outsailed us greatly, and wishing to get through the narrows in the 
Old Streights, at 2 o'clock P. M. we again about ship and kept on our 
course. The sch'r immediately wore, fired a gun to leeward, and kept 
after, under a great press of sail. At half past 2 she again fired a gun 
to leeward; but perceiving ourselves in the narrows above mentioned 
we kept on, to get through them if possible before she came up with us, 
which we effected. 9 
At 3 o'clock, finding ourselves fairly clear of Sugar Key and Key 
Laboas, we took in steering sails, wore ship, hauled up our courses, 
piped all hands to quarters, and prepared for action. 
The sch'r immediately took in sail, struck the Spanish jack, hoisted 
an English union flag, and passed under our lee at considerable dis- 
tance. We wore ship, she did the same, and passed each other within 
half musket. A fellow hailed us in broken English, and ordered the 
boat hoisted out, and the Captain to come on board with his papers, 
which he refused: he again ordered our boat out, and enforced his 
orders with a menace, that in case of refusal he would sink us! I! using 
at the same time the vilest and most infamous language it is possible to 
conceive of. By this time he had fallen considerably astern of us : he 
wore and came up on our starboard quarter, giving us a broadside as he 
passed our stern, but fired so exceedingly wild that he did us very little 
injury, while our stern chasers gave him a noble dose of round shot 
and langrage. We hauled the ship to wind, and as he passed us poured 
a whole broadside into him with great success. Sailing faster than we, 
he ranged considerably ahead, tacked and again passed, giving us a 
broadside and a furious discharge of musketry, which they kept up 
incessantly till the latter part of the engagement: his musket balls 
reached us in every direction ; but his large shot either fell short or 
went considerably over us: while our guns, loaded with round shot 
and square bars of iron six inches long, were plied so briskly and 
directed with so good judgment, that before he got out of our reach we 
had cut his mainsail and foretopsail all to rags, and cleared his decks so 
effectually that when he bore away from us there were scarcely 10 men 
to be seen. He then struck his English and hoisted the flag of the 
" Terrible Republic," and made off with all the sail she could carry 
much disappointed no doubt at not being able to give us a fraternal 
embrace. The wind being light, and knowing he would outsail us, 
added to a solicitude to complete our voyage, prevented our pursuing 
him : Indeed we had sufficient to gratify our revenge for his temerity ; 
for there was scarcely a single fire from our guns but what spread 
entirely over his hull - The action, which lasted an hour and twenty 
minutes, we conceived ended well; for exclusive of preserving the 
property entrusted to our care, we feel a confidence we have rid the 
world of some infamous pests of society. - We were within musket 
shot the whole time of the engagement and were so fortunate as to 
receive but very trifling injury ; not a person on board met the slightest 
harm. Our sails were a little torn, and one of the quarter deck guns 
dismounted. The privateer was a schooner of 80 or 90 tons, copper 
bottom, and fought five or six guns on a side. 
We are now within 48 hours sail of Havana, where we expect to 10 
arrive in safety: indeed we have no fear of any privateers preventing 
us, unless greatly superior in force. 
The 4 quarter deck guns will require new carriages ; one of them 
was entirely dismounted. 
We remain with esteem, Gentlemen, your humble Servant, 
Richard Wheatland. 
Capt. Wheatland, in a letter from the Havana, adds - 
" The Gentleman we brushed in the Old Straits, 3 days after captured 
a brig from Charleston, and detained the Captain 16 days on board, 
and then gave him the boat and set the crew adrift. The Captain has 
since arrived here and informs us that the privateer was a schooner of 8 
six pounders and 50 men ; that a number of her people were danger- 
ously wounded; that she had four round shot through her bottom,a bar 
iron through her counter, and four feet water in her hold, when she 
got away ; that her sails were cut entirely to pieces, and the boat on 
her deck was shattered by our discharge of our bar iron. The villain 
fought under English colours. In fact they capture under English and 
American flags altogether. It is impossible to discriminate ; and every 
armed vessel that approaches us (under whatever colours), if we can 
manage her, shall be fired into. The master of the privateer observed 
to the Captain, while he was detained on board, that his men were 
armed 30 of them with pistols and a short dagger each, and were pre- 
pared and determined to board the ship, but our booms and boarding 
nettings deterred him. The rascals run up along side American ships, 
under English colours, and jump on board, and capture the vessel before 
they are sensible of it. He had no idea we should dare fire into a ves- 
sel with English union hoisted." 
The gallantry of young Mr. Ingersoll, on board the Perseverance, 
we are well assured, contributed greatly to second the determined 
bravery of Captain Wheatland in defending the ship. Indeed, the 
whole ship's company deserve well of their Owners and of their 
Country. 
The story of Dr. Wheatland's earliest years may be briefly 
told. Of a rather delicate constitution, but possessing great 
tenacity of purpose and power of endurance, and surrounded 
by many refining influences, he seems from the first to have 
developed those studious habits which always characterized 
him. 
Mr. Robert Stone, of Salem, writes me, March 18, 1893, 
in answer to an inquiry as to Dr. Wheatland's school days, 
that he remembers him as a schoolfellow in 1822 or 1823 at 11 
Mr. Walsh's school, and that they ever after remained good 
friends. Mr. Stone says: " I do not see that there was any 
change in him from the time of our schoolboy days. He was 
always pleasant and genial, and always had my regard and 
respect." 
Having received a good preparation, especially in the clas- 
sical studies and in mathematics, at the grammar schools in 
Salem, then conducted by able instructors, Henry Wheatland 
entered Harvard College in 1828, at the age of sixteen, 
together with a remarkably large number of boys from the 
same town. In Felt's list of Salem graduates from Harvard 
the following thirteen are named for 1832, the largest number 
on the list for anyone year: Haley Forrester Barstow, Charles 
Timothy Brooks, George William Cleveland, William Fabens, 
William Prescott Gibbs, Charles Grafton Page, Jonathan 
Archer Ropes, John Boardman Silsbee, William Silsbee, John 
Henry Silsbee, Augustus Story, William Henry West, Henry 
Wheatland. 
In a letter which I have received from the venerable 
Charles W. Palfray, editor of the " Salem Register " for fifty- 
five years, he says : - 
It seems to me I must have known Dr. Wheatland from the start ; 
but, probably, I first became acquainted with him the year before he 
entered College, when he was a pupil in our old Latin Grammar School 
and I in our old English High School, both in the same building on 
Broad Street. We were in College together one year, he in his last and 
I in my first year, and we roomed in the same building (Stoughton). 
I regret that I can recall almost nothing of the school-days of Dr. 
Wheatland. But it may be worth noting that among his classmates, 
both at the Latin School and in College, was Charles G. Page, who 
afterwards became such an eminent scientist. I enclose a slip cut from 
the Register of Sept. 29, '92, containing some of my reminiscences of 
Dr. Page ; and if you can find in it the least hint that you can make 
available, you are perfectly welcome to do so. 
I remember the Mr. Walsh spoken of by Mr. Stone. He was John 
Walsh, bachelor, lawyer, and instructor of youth, a graduate of Har- 
vard, class of 1814, and was born in Salisbury, Mass., July 21, 1794, 
and died in St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 3, 1845. He was a Deacon in our 
First Church in 1829. His father, Michael Walsh, came to this coun- 
try from Ireland in 1783, and died in Amesbury in 1840. The father, 
Michael, was quite celebrated as a mathematician, and was the author 12 
of the famous Walsh's Arithmetic which was used in nearly all our 
schools in the first third of this century. 
Yrs. very truly, 
Chas. W. Palfray. 
Some extracts from the " Reminiscences of Dr. Page " may 
be appropriately introduced here as indicating the intelligent 
character of Dr. Wheatland's earliest companions, and as an 
example of the many happy influences which developed in 
him such a supreme love of scientific research, and such ready 
affiliation with all those in any way devoted to exact inquiry : 
" And just here, as we recall the past, in a fragmentary way, it recurs to 
us that about this time,1 often, during a thunder-storm, a small, stubbed- 
built, dark-complexioned, rollicking, Latin School boy, fifteen years of 
age, might be seen on the top of the schoolhouse, equipped with needles 
and other implements, experimenting with the lightning! That boy 
afterward became the eminent expert and authority in electricity and 
electro-magnetism, the late Dr. Charles Grafton Page. He entered 
Harvard College the next year, graduating in due course, and subse- 
quently received the degree of M.D. at the Medical School." 
After mentioning the important positions which Dr. Page 
filled, among others that of Examiner at the Patent Office, 
his inventions towards the use of electricity as a motive 
power, etc., and his valuable publications, Mr. Palfray goes 
on to say : - 
" Nor must we forget to add that, even before he left Salem, we 
think it was, he foresaw and predicted the practicability of the tele- 
phone. And as a graceful and appropriate tribute to his memory, Prof. 
A. Graham Bell, its inventor, gave the first public exhibition and prac- 
tical test of the Telephone in Dr. Page's native city, when, on the 
evening of Feb. 12, 1877, he delivered a lecture on the subject in our 
Lyceum Hall, before the Essex Institute, and a report of it was trans- 
mitted to Boston, and published in the ' Globe ' the next morning." 
As to Dr. Wheatland's life in college, it is said that " he did 
not take kindly to the College curriculum, but preferred to 
follow the bent of his own inclination toward science, natural 
history, and kindred studies ; and, upon informing the Presi- 
dent of the University of his utter distaste for the regular 
course, he was allowed to pursue his own way." 2 
1 In 1827, when the English High School was established at Salem. 
8 Salem Register, March 2, 1893. 13 
Among Dr. Wheatland's papers I find, in his own hand- 
writing, the " Preamble " and " Constitution " of " The Har- 
vard Linnean of 1832," with an account of the first meeting, 
at which were present Abbott, Adams 1st, Adams 2d, Glover, 
Howe, Mason, Nelson, Richardson, Silsbee 2d, Soule, Story, 
and Wheatland ; Bethune, Page, and Russell were also named 
as " expected." Adams 1st was chosen President, Nelson 
Vice-President, and Wheatland Corresponding Secretary. 
The object of the Society is stated to be " mutual assistance 
in the collection and formation of cabinets of minerals and 
insects, herbaria of flowers, &c., by the transmission from one 
member to another of rare specimens in Mineralogy, Ento- 
mology, Botany, &c." 
I do not find any further account of this Society,1 but it 
shows that even then Dr. Wheatland had the same tendency 
towards organized work and co-operation in these pursuits 
which afterwards produced such permanent and valuable 
results. 
After graduating from college, in 1832, he seems to have 
hesitated somewhat as to what course to pursue ; partly on 
account of bis own health, which was never robust, and partly 
on account of special opportunities and temptations towards 
foreign travel which presented themselves at that time. He, 
however, became a student of medicine under the distinguished 
surgeon, Dr. Abel L. Pierson, of Salem, spending his winters 
in Boston attending medical lectures; and, in 1837, received 
his degree of M.D. from the Medical School. It is probable 
that his only object in taking this course was to perfect him- 
self in that branch of knowledge that he might the better 
carry out the purpose, which was almost a passion with him, 
of gathering up and arranging in a useful collection material 
for every kind of scientific research. He does not appear to 
have actually practised his profession at any time. He had 
already become an active worker in the Essex Historical 
Society and in the Essex County Natural History Society, the 
two societies from which the Essex Institute was afterwards 
formed, and his whole life from that time was devoted to the 
objects which those institutions represented. 
Residing always in Salem, from which, indeed, after his 
1 It was only five years later, in 1837, that the Harvard Natural History 
Society was formed, which has since become a flourishing institution. 14 
graduation from college, he was never away except in the 
line of his chosen pursuits, as gathering specimens on foreign 
voyages, or attending meetings of scientific or historical asso- 
ciations, he was for more than half a century known to a con- 
stantly increasing number of persons interested in science or 
history, as a reliable friend, guide, instructor, or co-worker. 
He appears from his earliest youth to have always exhibited 
that happy love of nature and enthusiasm for research, that 
utterly unselfish devotion of all his energies to the accumula- 
tion, arrangement, and preservation of material, which emi- 
nently fitted him to take advantage of the culture already 
existing in and about Salem to carry out what became the 
great object of his life ; namely, the establishment upon a sure 
foundation of an institution which should be unrestricted in 
scope, and which should constitute a permanent centre of 
influence for the enlightenment and instruction of the 
community. 
So entirely was his whole being absorbed in this generous 
impulse and purpose, it seemed to give to his presence a re- 
markably serene and venerable aspect. All who came in con- 
tact with him paid him the tribute of respect, even though 
some might be inclined to ridicule such devotion to the gath- 
ering together of objects to them apparently of no practical 
value. 
It was one of the triumphs of his later years that while 
formerly many, if not most, looked with indifference or slight 
regard upon the work to which he and a few fellow-enthusiasts 
were devoted, now there was a universal interest taken, and the 
institution, which patient and untiling labor had brought from 
a weak beginning to a sound and permanent life, was looked 
upon with pride, as one of the chief ornaments of the city, 
and an honor to the whole county. The Essex Institute, 
with the Peabody Academy of Science, was in constant activ- 
ity, holding friendly correspondence with many persons and 
institutions in all parts of the country, and carrying on regular 
and profitable exchanges with foreign societies. 
It was while thus enjoying the happy results of an accom- 
plished purpose that he was suddenly stricken with paralysis, 
almost completely cutting him off from all power of commu- 
nication with the outer world ; and so he lingered some years 
till his death. But even then retaining his faculties of mind, 15 
though able only with the greatest difficulty to express his 
thought, he still kept alive his interest in the Institute. Every 
day he was visited by the officers of the Society, which, in 
deep attachment, refused to recognize any other head, and as 
well as he could he gave his directions and his advice. 
His countenance never lost that aspect of strangely attrac- 
tive gentleness and wise repose which had ever characterized 
it. He seemed always venerable, yet always in a manner 
youthful. Such was his modesty and self-exclusion, it was 
only after long and earnest solicitation that he could be in- 
duced to have his portrait taken. It was fortunate for the 
Essex Institute that, through the efforts of his nephew, Mr. 
George Wheatland, he finally yielded, since it now possesses 
a most admirable likeness by Vinton,1 to be without which 
would deprive it of one of its most essential elements of charm 
to visitors as well as to members. 
Those who had always known Dr. Wheatland often re- 
marked that they could not remember his appearance as ever 
much differing from that of his latest years, aside from the 
whitening of the hair and the somewhat decreased elasticity 
of movement inseparable from old age. At more than three- 
score and ten he seemed hardly older in expression of coun- 
tenance and in general demeanor than in those first days 
when he was ever' intent upon his beloved pursuits, ever 
ready to lead or join in the " rambles " in search of rare speci- 
mens of natural history, or visits to the hidden nooks where 
the first wild-flowers were known to show themselves, in 
dredging expeditions, or again in the patient work of properly 
preparing and cataloguing the accumulated store of material. 
At the memorial meeting, already referred to, our associate, 
Abner C. Goodell, Jr., in his address as Vice-President of the 
Essex Institute, describing him as the founder of that Society, 
says : - 
" The invariable reserve and quiet with which he pursued his labors 
for the good of mankind through two generations attended him to the 
close of his peaceful life of more than eighty-one years. . . . Nothing 
that he gathered in his mind, or had in store in the library and cabinets 
of the Society, was ever withheld from the needy inquirer. In the 
1 Frederic P. Vinton, of Boston. The heliotype which accompanies this 
memoir is from Vinton's portrait. 16 
organization of the Institute it was his choice that no barriers of age 
or sex should limit the enjoyment of its privileges." 
At the same meeting Prof. Edward S. Morse, the present 
Director of the Peabody Academy of Science, gave a highly 
interesting account of the personal appearance and manner of 
Dr. Wheatland, stating that - 
"his profile bore a marked resemblance to that of Dante, as pictured 
by Scheffer. This resemblance has been repeatedly remarked upon by 
many who saw him for the first time. . . . While having a wide and 
varied knowledge in many branches of learning, the reserve and 
modesty with which he imparted knowledge were proverbial. . . . 
" A serenity of manner, a sweet, almost coy way of imparting in- 
formation, and a peculiar pursing of the lips when speaking of some 
quiet triumph of the Institute, or when the Institute, with its then 
limited resources, had anticipated other societies more richly endowed, 
are vividly remembered by those who knew him. 
" He had seen the Institute grow from a few members, occupying 
a small hired room, possessing a few specimens and books and an 
empty treasury, to an organization of nearly four hundred members, 
occupying a large building of its own, with invested funds of over one 
hundred thousand dollars, and a library of sixty thousand volumes. In 
his view such a growth could not be arrested. . . . He looked ahead 
hopefully to the ultimate development of a large historical museum in 
which would be properly displayed the provincial and colonial records 
of the county, as well as records of the commercial history of this his- 
toric city." 
Professor Morse well expresses the sentiment of all the 
people of Salem and its vicinity when he says: - 
" Dr. Wheatland's identification with the Essex Institute is so com- 
plete that it is impossible to think of him and of the Institution sepa- 
rately. He was not only its father, but for many years he was the 
Institute, so far as being secretary, treasurer, editor of its journals, 
cabinet-keeper, and night-watchman could make him. ... It is not too 
much to say that the Essex Institute, and indirectly its sister institu- 
tion, the Peabody Academy of Science, may be looked upon as the 
results of Dr. Wheatland's life-long devotion to the cause of science and 
history in this community." 
Mr. George D. Phippen, the first librarian of the Essex Insti- 
tute, an able botanist and a " contemporary with Dr. Wheat- 
land throughout his scientific life," gave an account of the 17 
early days of the Doctor's career, which one is tempted to 
quote in full. I must content myself with the following brief 
passages: - 
" My first recollection of Henry Wheatland was in the summer of 
1831, or possibly a year earlier, and I well remember the youthful cast 
of that same classic face that has ever since so strongly impressed all 
who have made his acquaintance. His figure was then striking, of 
erect yet slender build, with light brown hair falling in loose locks 
nearly to the collar of his coat. He had a rather weak voice, quiet 
manners ; was guileless and attractive in all his ways. . . . 
" Amongst the earliest effective work of the Natural History Society, 
after the commencement of its museum and library, were the fruit and 
flower exhibitions, which tended strongly towards the improvement of 
our gardens by the discrimination and cultivation of choice hardy fruits 
and flowers, in great variety. This demonstration of popular zeal has 
since reached both its climax and decline, and now exists only in the 
fancied reputation of the ' old-fashioned gardens of Salem.' 
" The unique feature of ' field meetings,' in which the public as well as 
members of the Society participated, was not introduced until 1848. . . . 
For many years, however, prior to this date, small parties of the more 
devoted members of the Natural History Society were accustomed to 
make excursions in the neighboring woods and fields for botanical and 
other purposes of investigation. . . . These pleasant occasions will 
long remain in the memory of those who participated in them. We 
were young then, and Dr. Wheatland could outwalk us all, when we 
sought out, perhaps to some of us for the first time, localities where 
grew the Trilliums, Pyrolas, Arethusas, and the frosted Droseras, or, 
from the borders of brooks and ponds, the floating Utricularias, Brase- 
nias, or Dortman's Lobelia which tempted us and dared our acquisi- 
tion of them by a partial bath. . . . Minerals interested some of us, 
while others collected fresh-water shells and rare ferns, as we invaded 
the haunts of the turtle and the newt. 
"We were fresh and impressible then, and a new 'find' filled us 
with a thrill of enthusiasm and a healthful glow of spirits that gold, 
gems, or honors in later days would have failed to excite. 
" Dr. Wheatland was primarily a botanist, and knew well the localities 
of our native plants, and an array of their flowers, accurately named, 
always embellished a corner of our frequent local exhibitions ; but this 
pursuit he gradually relinquished to younger members. As a student 
of medicine he was fond of comparative anatomy, and here he obtained 
the title of Doctor, which has always with, perhaps, profounder mean- 
ings distinguished his name. On the proper shelves of the Institute 18 
are many specimens, particularly of the smaller animals, prepared by 
his own hands. 
" He was interested in the study of conchology, and was fond of 
dredging the harbor for specimens. . . . He was at one time a devoted 
entomologist, and we have seen him throw the net for his brilliantly 
colored prey, which he immediately killed by a poisonous puncture 
before pinning them into his collection box. He also knew well how to 
throw the net for the capture of young men, whom he infused with his 
own glowing spirit; and their names, not a few, now adorn the scientific 
institutions of the land." 
In regard to the " field meetings " which Mr. Phippen 
mentions, and which, in the particular form of free popular 
gatherings at various places for local research and an accom- 
panying meeting for mutual discussion and information, were 
of Dr. Wheatland's suggestion, and owed their success to 
his peculiar genius for bringing people into co-operation, I 
quote the following most excellent description from a com- 
memorative sermon by Rev. Edmund B. Willson at the North 
Church, Salem, on the Sunday following Dr. Wheatland's 
death : - 
" I remember most distinctly how much I was impressed when I first 
became a citizen of this place by the aspect of things here, and how 
soon I observed this man's influence in much which interested me most. 
. . . Perhaps nothing filled me with greater admiration at that time 
than the- to me - novel and original institution called a 'field meet- 
ing ' of the Essex Institute. I had never seen or heard of anything 
like it. . . . It seemed to me the most thoughtfully devised and simply 
managed method of extending and popularizing knowledge, of quicken- 
ing mental life, of teaching the value of observation and of opening the 
book of nature to the study of the young and curious of all ages, of 
which I could conceive. Here came a little group of specialists to a 
country town of the county, few, perhaps none of them, very learned yet, 
even in their own department of science; but, though rating themselves 
as students and collectors only, possessing so much knowledge that they 
could study the locality and discuss its history and its natural history 
intelligently. And this they did. After a morning spent in exploring 
the vicinity, divided into parties according to their tastes and special 
studies, and accompanied by any one who chose to join them in the 
walk and the search, they assembled at mid-day, and after partaking of 
the refreshments they had brought with them, they made their reports 
to an audience composed half of members of the Essex Institute and 19 
their friends and half of such dwellers in the vicinity, old and young, 
as were interested enough to attend. 
"The more expert we will say in geology, mineralogy, and archaeo- 
logy now gave their interpretation of the geological formations of that 
locality, finding on that little spot of the earth's crust the signs of how 
it had come to be, hill and stream, rock and soil, the processes of pre- 
historic times by which it was being made fit for man's habitation; 
with mineralogical specimens before them they gave interesting infor- 
mation of the order of rock-making, the succession of deposits, the 
agencies of sun, rain, and weather, and of internal and external tem- 
peratures, in shaping this bit of the world to its existing contour and 
consistency. 
" The botanist followed in turn with talk of the forests, the flowers, 
the plants, the vegetable growths of that same territory ; made known 
the methods of identifying families and species of trees and plants, with 
leaf and bud and plant in hand to illustrate the lesson, all given in the 
simple and familiar conversational style. 
" Then came the zoologist, whether ornithologist, entomologist, ich- 
thyologist or ophiologist, with their accounts of the animal life of the 
region, with specimens gathered from the waters, the woods and fields, 
to give flavor and color by illustration, and thus deeper impression to 
their discourse. 
" From fossil implements, graveyard inscriptions, family and town 
records, the antiquarian and local historian brought interesting frag- 
ments of early settlement, family history, the developments and changes 
of industries, the statistics of schools and literary associations, of inven- 
tions and architecture, and whatever else would diversify, instruct, and 
entertain the meeting. 
" Now, the most significant thing about all this was, to my mind, its 
simplicity and efficacy as an educational agency. ... It opened eyes to 
see; it set minds to thinking. Without other text-book or teacher than 
this open book of nature, it became possible for each one to enter on a 
course of observation and experiment for himself by the roadside, in 
his dooryard, in the brooks, pastures, and woods of the homestead; 
everywhere were these most interesting and curious facts open to the 
discovery of one who had eyes and would use them, who had powers of 
thought and would think. The learned book would follow in time, the 
more perfect science would come later. Here was the start, the quick- 
ening of mind, the faculty and the thirst for observation and comparison 
set going, the foundation and beginning of all knowledge. And this 
far-seeing man perceived here the means of impulse and guidance, in 
line with all wise educational methods from Kindergarten to University." 
At a field meeting at Manchester, July 18, 1856, Dr. 
Wheatland states that the first Essex Institute Field Meeting 20 
was held at North Danvers, in June, 1849, and that " the pro- 
gramme of this meeting was taken from the perusal of an 
account of the Berwickshire Naturalist Club in Scotland," 
which held similar meetings. The wide scope of subject, how- 
ever, and the popular character of the Institute Field Meet- 
ings gave it an originality of its own, and it is doubtful 
whether just such an institution has existed anywhere else. 
Professor Morse mentions some singularly antithetic traits 
in Dr. Wheatland. He describes him as never enthusiastic, 
(meaning of course never demonstratively so) - 
" yet he always kindled enthusiasm in others. While abstemious in 
the last degree, he never found fault with others for being otherwise. 
. . . While abstaining from tobacco and spirits in every form, he never 
interfered with the enjoyment of others in these matters. With un- 
wavering devotion to the Institute, he never solicited aid for it or asked 
any one to become a member. . . . He dwelt in the past, and yet con- 
tinually planned for the future." 
Mr. Henry M. Brooks, Secretary of the Essex Institute, and 
one of its first members, whose quick perception and skilful 
portrayal of the quaint and curious are well known through 
his numerous publications, says of him : - 
" The Doctor was always very neat in his dress, which was quite 
simple and inexpensive. . . . From the time I first knew him he had 
but one fashion for his coat. It was always made with numerous and 
capacious pockets, in some of which he had a store of waste paper and 
twine, so that he was ready to wrap up anything that might be given to 
him for the Institute, and thus save some delay. He even carried the 
scissors to cut the twine. He was very careful to keep his feet warm 
and dry, and wore rubber overshoes well into the summer. Some one 
said, referring to this habit, ' he left his rubbers off in July and put them 
on in August.' Of an economical and saving turn, he used small scraps 
of paper and old envelopes to make memoranda on, when there was 
plenty of paper at his disposal, but his early habit of saving clung to 
him through life. He had an old lead pencil which looked as if it had 
been used for years and not mended often. But all this saving was 
not for his own benefit." 
I may add as another peculiarity that though he does not 
appear to have had any taste for music, poetry, or the fine arts 
in general, he spent liberally of his means for the encourage- 
ment of these branches of culture, and took great pains to add 
departments to the Essex Institute specially devoted to them. 21 
In a letter of Oct. 17, 1893, from the well-known numisma- 
tist and antiquary, Matthew A. Stickney, since deceased, he 
says of the Doctor: - 
" He was of a delicate frame, and with his student-like habit, would 
have been taken by a stranger for a member of the Society of Friends, 
as in fact he was, in his love for peace and harmony. . . . He did not 
excel in public speaking, but, like myself, was a collector. He disliked 
contention, in law, politics, or religion, and did not often converse on 
those subjects." He was " a skilful planner of whatever he undertook, 
and in some respects resembled William Smith Shaw, one of the found- 
ers of the Boston Athenaeum." 
In the letter from Mr. Palfray, already quoted, he further 
writes, after referring to his early relations with Dr. Wheatland : 
" Our intimacy in after years is a memory to be treasured. I am glad 
you recall the regularity of his visits to the dingy old editorial den on 
the corner of Essex and Central Streets, which your father, of blessed 
memory, who so frequently honored and illuminated it by his presence, 
was accustomed to regard as a local curiosity shop, one of the oddities 
of our old Puritan City as people are now fond of styling it, and 
occasionally introduced a stranger from abroad to view the unique 
spectacle. How many the nights which never failed at a certain hour 
to bring the Doctor and Caleb Cooke, too early lost to science, and, 
later, Kingsley or some other incipient scientist, for a social chat before 
retiring ! Ah I those were ' the days that are no more.' 
" And then, too, our constant companionship in meetings, excursions, 
rambles, &c., under the auspices of the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science, in many parts of the country, - the first at 
Dubuque, Iowa, in 1872, - how the scenes rise up before me, and how 
I wish I could do justice to them! But old age is merciless, and I 
forbear. 
" Excuse the garrulousness and wandering of a dilapidated veteran in 
his 80th year, and believe me to be 
" Very truly your Friend, 
" Chas. W. Palfray." 
It was a peculiar experience, conveying the strongest im- 
pression of Dr. Wheatland's devotion and watchful zeal, to 
accompany him at the close of the evening on his regular 
round about the Essex Institute building where his treasures, 
the institute libraries and cabinets, were stored, and which 22 
seemed dearer to him than his own life. He would pass 
through or look into every room from cellar to attic, with- 
out light of any kind, to make sure that no lurking fire or 
other danger existed, and, all being found safe, would resign 
the charge to the ordinary street watch. On the way home 
he would generally stop at " Palfray's," where the serene editor 
was always to be found surrounded by what seemed to the 
stranger an unfathomable abyss of confused books and papers, 
but which really was a collection most admirably arranged for 
his purpose, since he could place his hand at once upon what- 
ever might be needed for the moment. Here the Doctor, aided 
by the hearty co-operation of the editor and free from inter- 
ruption, prepared innumerable notices and accounts of meet- 
ings, exhibitions, excursions, etc., held or to be held, or wrote 
articles calculated to create a public interest in the ever vary- 
ing enterprises of the Institute. 
Professor Alpheus Hyatt, President of the Boston Society 
of Natural History, writes me, May 16, 1893, referring to Dr. 
Wheatland's unremitting self-sacrifice to the public interests 
of humanity and of science: - 
" Our little community of scientific men were held together, perhaps, 
more largely by these qualities of his character than by any other sin- 
gle means. I well remember how completely he seemed to lay aside 
all personal interest for those of science when we first came to Salem ; 
how studiously he avoided making himself prominent while helping 
every one to take that place for which he seemed best fitted, and finally 
cheerfully surrendered all the natural history collections, and the local 
influence of the administration of that division in the work of his 
beloved Essex Institute, to the newly formed Peabody Academy of 
Science." 
He further pays a warm tribute to the many excellent traits 
so generally recognized in Dr. Wheatland, and concludes by 
expressing the " love and admiration " which he has for his 
memory. 
The writings of Dr. Wheatland on scientific and historical 
subjects are scattered through the Essex Institute publications. 
Professor Morse, referring to his scientific communications, 
written and verbal, remarks that they indicate " a very general 
knowledge of natural science " and a special taste for zoology 
and comparative anatomy. His skill in dredging was well 23 
known to scientists. He is stated to have first taught the 
eminent zoologist Stimpson the use of the dredge, as early as 
1850. 
Among many historical papers the following are particularly 
valuable: - 
Historical Sketch of the Philosophical Library at Salem, with Notes, 
Hist. Coll., vol. iv. p. 175. 
Materials for a Genealogy of the Higginson Family, vol. v. p. 33. 
Extracts from Records of two Aqueduct Corporations in Salem and 
Danvers, vol. vi. p. 43. 
Baptisms in the First Church in Salem, vol. vi. p. 227. 
Baptisms by Rev. Benjamin Prescott, etc., Salem Middle Precinct, 
vol. vi. p. 258. 
Address, as presiding officer, at the 250th Anniversary of the Land- 
ing of Governor Endicott at Salem, vol. xv. p. 114. 
Baptisms at Salem Village Church, vol. xvi. p. 233. 
[Some of the above are continued in subsequent numbers.] 
Account of the Essex County Natural History Society, with Notes, 
at the Field Meeting at Topsfield, June 21, 1856, Proceedings, vol. ii. 
p. 24. 
Report on the History and Progress of the Essex Institute at the 
Field Meeting at Manchester, July 18, 1856, vol. ii. p. 36. 
Account of the Social and Philosophical Libraries of Salem, April 
10, 1857, vol. ii. p. 140 ; continued, July 18, 1868, vol. vi. p. 33. 
From the latter I quote the following admirable passage, 
showing in a succinct form the remarkable development of 
culture in the pursuit of history and science in Salem, and 
concluding with sentiments nowhere better exemplified than 
in the life and history of Dr. Wheatland himself. 
" Some one hundred and ten years since,1 at a meeting of the Mon- 
day Evening Club, composed of the leading spirits of that day, - the 
Brownes, Pickmans, Ornes, Higginsons, Lyndes, and Olivers, - the 
plan of organizing the Social Library was matured. Some twenty 
years later the Philosophical Library was called into existence by 
Holyoke, Prince, Barnard, and Orne of Salem, Willard and Fisher of 
Beverly, and Cutler of the Hamlet, now Hamilton. Thirty years pass 
away, and we behold Bowditch, Story, Pickering, Silsbee, and Putnam 
organizing the Athenaeum, taking the two libraries above named as the 
basis of the new institution. Ten years later, White, Tucker, Salton- 
1 In 1758. 24 
stall, King, and Ward are interested in the formation of an historical 
society to preserve the rich materials everywhere then abundant to 
elucidate the history of this section of our good old Commonwealth. 
Another decade of years pass, Peabody, Webb, Cole, Phillips, and 
Peirson are preparing courses of lectures on literature and science 
adapted to the popular mind, and hence arose that system of lectures 
which has been so prevalent throughout the country for the past thirty 
or forty years, and which has been a great auxiliary to the cause of 
general education. After the lapse of some three or four years, Nichols 
of Danvers, Oakes of Ipswich, Perry of Bradford, Page and Ives of 
Salem, laid the groundwork for a society of natural history to develop 
a taste for this study, and to extend researches into the various depart- 
ments of nature. 
" In this connection let us allude to the labors of Hodges, Lambert, 
Carpenter, Osgood, Crowninshield, Nichols, and others in organizing 
the East India Marine Society in 1799, and consequent thereupon the 
forming of the valuable Museum which has had a world-renowned 
reputation, and which, with the scientific collections of this Society, is 
being rearranged in the East India Marine Hall, recently obtained and 
fitted up with galleries and cases for their reception through the lib- 
erality of a son of Essex, whom governments and crowned heads 
delight to honor. 
" Some of the above-named persons were interested in several of 
these institutions ; thus, for instance, the venerable Dr. Edward Au- 
gustus Holyoke was one of the original members of the Social Library 
in 1760, and at the time of his death, in 1829, was President of the 
Athenaeum, and also of the Historical Society, having held that office 
in both of these institutions from their respective organizations, thus 
taking an active part in the institutions of this place for a period of 
seventy years. 
" These have all passed away, leaving deep traces of their influence 
upon the institutions of this day, which are modifications of the pre- 
ceding to conform to the wants and requirements of the age. 
" Although much has been accomplished, yet we have only entered 
upon the threshold of the domain of science. More remains to be done 
before the objects which these pioneers have labored for can be said to 
be in a good working condition. This duty is never finished ; the more 
an institution does, the wider the vista opens, and a greater amount of 
labor is found necessary to be done, increasing as it progresses in a 
geometrical ratio. It is a law of nature when any institution or organic 
object ceases to grow, decay commences, and a gradual dissolution 
follows. 
" Let all who revere the memory of the departed, and desire to have 
accomplished, or at least greatly advanced, the objects that were dear 25 
to them, come forward and extend a helping hand to those who bear 
the heat and burden of the day. Though dead, they yet speak in the 
recollection of their zeal and energy in all worthy undertakings; truly, 
their good works follow them." 
Of the seventy-two members of Dr. Wheatland's class at 
Harvard (1832), but seven survived him, and of these two 
have since deceased, George T. Curtis and John S. Dwight. 
The latter, in a letter in answer to an invitation to attend the 
meeting of the Essex Institute in memory of Dr. Wheatland, 
writes thus of his classmate : - 
" When I recall his venerable and Dantesque profile, his uniform 
sweetness and simplicity of nature and of character, his sincere devo- 
tion and regard for truth in his favorite sciences, his fine powers of 
thought and observation, his friendly interest in all about him, and his 
zealous efforts to rescue from oblivion all precious bits of personal his- 
tory ; and when I think how heartily he used to come to the reunions 
of our little remnant of a class, each time renewing the impression of 
these lovely traits of mind and character, I feel how much we have lost 
in these last years by his involuntary absence.'' 
One of the present survivors of that class, Dr. William W. 
Wellington, of Cambridgeport, writes me that Dr. Wheatland 
" was regarded by all his classmates as a man of high moral 
excellence, a careful student, and a pleasant companion. He 
retained in after life the look of his younger days. . . . My 
recollections of Wheatland are all of the most pleasant 
character." 
The large mass of personal papers, correspondence, etc., 
which Dr. Wheatland had accumulated became somewhat 
disarranged, during the last years of his life, owing to their 
being necessarily consulted and handled by others in order 
to answer frequent inquiries. The preparation of this memoir 
has been delayed by the work, which seemed desirable, of first 
restoring these to something like the methodical arrangement 
in which it is evident he kept them, so long as he was able to 
attend to them personally. 
Though he seldom kept copies of his own letters, he care- 
fully kept the letters written to him, and they will be found 
a valuable source of information on many subjects. 
His genealogical memoranda were kept in alphabetically 26 
arranged envelopes and in books, and make a large and valu- 
able collection which will no doubt be very gladly consulted 
by genealogists. 
There are also, besides many original manuscripts, minutes 
of record and memoranda relating to the organization and his- 
tory of numerous local societies with notes as to the lives and 
families of their members. 
Among his papers are diplomas and certificates from which 
the following partial list is made of the societies of which he 
became a member, resident, corresponding, or honorary. 
Massachusetts Medical Society Aug. 30, 1837. 
National Institute for the Promotion of Science, 
Washington, D. C Oct. 12, 1842. 
American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Boston 
(a Fellow) Feb. 26, 1845. 
New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston March 7, 1846. 
Concord (N. H.) Society of Natural History . . . May 2, 1846. 
American Statistical Association, Boston .... Jan. 13, 1847. 
Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston .... Jan. 27, 1848. 
La Real Sociedad Economica Filipina Aug. 29, 1848. 
Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society . . May 10, 1849. 
State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison . . March 7, 1854. 
California Academy of Natural Sciences .... April 7, 1856. 
New York Historical Society Nov. 2, 1858. 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia . Nov. 12, 1860. 
Vermont Historical Society, Montpelier .... Feb., 1862. 
Portland Society of Natural History Jan. 1, 1863. 
Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences Feb. 3, 1865. 
New York Genealogical and Biographical Society . May 8, 1869. 
American Antiquarian Society, Worcester . . . April 30, 1871. 
Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Boston . . . June, 1871. 
Humboldt Collegiate Association, Humboldt County, 
Iowa Sept. 1, 1871. 
American Social Science Association Nov. 15, 1871. 
Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence . . . May 6, 1873. 
Virginia Historical Society, Richmond June 2, 1880. 
Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia March 4, 1881. 
Bunker Hill Monument Association June 17, 1887. 
Besides the above, Dr. Wheatland became a member of the 
American Association for the Advancement of Science at its 
first meeting, in September, 1848, was chosen a Fellow in 27 
1874, and was for many years one of its Auditors. He was 
an original trustee and Secretary of the Board of the Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Cambridge, and an 
original trustee and Vice-President of the Peabody Academy 
of Science for the County of Essex. He was Superintendent, 
from November, 1837, to October, 1848, of the Museum of the 
Salem East India Marine Society, an honorary member of 
the Danvers Historical Society, President for a long time of 
the Salem Fraternity, and was a member of many other local 
associations of Salem and its neighborhood. 
He was always actively interested in the schools of Salem, 
and did much service on committees and as a friend and 
co-operator with the teachers. In 1854 he was appointed 
a member of the Massachusetts Board of Education by Gov- 
ernor Washburn. In 1856 he became, by the appointment of 
Governor Gardner, a member of the board of the first Com- 
mission for the " Artificial Propagation of Fish." The other 
commissioners were Reuben A. Chapman, of Springfield, and 
Nathaniel E. Atwood, of Provincetown. 
Dr. Wheatland resided during the last years of his life until 
near its close on Chestnut Street in Salem. A few months 
before his death, having been for two years helpless from para- 
lysis though happily without suffering, he was removed to the 
house of his brother George on Essex Street, where he passed 
away peacefully on the morning of Monday, February 27,1893, 
in his 82d year. Thus ended a long life, full of usefulness and of 
honor. To recount its history, however inadequately, has been 
a pleasing task to the writer, enabling him to do some service 
to the memory of one whom he regarded with an almost filial 
love and esteem.