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(1903.)
SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SECRETARY
OF THE
Society for the History of the Germans in Maryland.
Mr. President and Gentlemen:
In reviewing the events of the closing year, the sixteenth of
the Society's existence, there is very little to report, since
very little, at least in the research of past history, was
accomplished.
But one original article was read and that one by a gentle-
man not a member of the Society. "Whilst this may be con-
sidered a matter of regret, the regular meetings of the Society
were nevertheless of interest, profit and pleasure to those
attending. Many an interesting question was brought up,
awakening earnest discussion and spreading over a wide field.
Our Library has again been enlarged by valuable additions
both by purchase and by donations. Those who kindly
remembered us with donation of their own publications and
otherwise were:
1.
The New York State Library.
2.
The Wisconsin State Historical Society.
3. The Ohio Archæological and Historical Society.
4.
The German-Pennsylvania Society.
5.
The Transallegheny Historical Society.
6.
The Virginia Historic Society.
7.
The German American Historical Society of Illinois.
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8.
The Historical Society of the Bremen Künstler-
Verein.
9.
The Maryland Historical Society.
10.
The Franklin and Marshall College.
11.
The Johns Hopkins University.
12. The Enoch Pratt Free Library.
13.
The Cleveland Wächter.
14.
The German Correspondent.
15.
The Baltimore Journal.
16.
Mr. J. G. Rosengarten.
17.
Mr. H. A. Rattermann.
18.
Dr. Eugene Cordell.
19.
Rev. Edward Huber.
20. Mr. L. P. Hennighausen and
21. Your Secretary.
By order of the Society the Seventh to the Fifteenth Annual
Reports inclusive were neatly bound and each member presented
with one copy in addition to the two paper bound copies
received previously. There being no other papers submitted to
the Executive Committee suitable for publication than the
Secretary's and Treasurer's Annual Reports, the publication of
these were deferred to some later period.
The Society as such during the year became a member of
the National German-American Historical Society, organized
during the preceding year in the City of Philadelphia by a
number of representative gentlemen. The name indicates the
wide field this Society has chosen for its activity. Naturally
the different State Societies will in the course of time become
auxiliaries to the one above in their general objects.
It is to be regretted that the number of active members
of this Society is not on the increase, but rather on the
decrease. Those of Pennsylvania and Illinois number hundreds
of enthusiastic supporters. It is true, the history of the
early German settlers of this State has thus far proven very
meager, so that we cannot boast of achievements equal to those
more fortunately situated, the object of this Society, however,
is deserving of more hearty support on the part of those who
by reason of relationship as well as a pardonable natural pride
should feel an interest in our efforts.
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In all directions we see an unusual activity in the field
of the earlier settlers of this country. If our German fore-
fathers have been robbed of much of their merit in the
development of their adopted country by reason of their
modesty, will the children add to the injury by reason of their
indifference?
During the year one of our active members died, viz:
Mr. N. M. Rittenhouse, who departed this life on May 2nd,
1902. Two resigned and one neglected to pay his dues.
Two active members were added during the same time. We
close the year with forty-four active members.
RESPECTFULLY
,
F. PH. HENNIGHAUSEN, Secretary.
Baltimore, February, 17, 1903.