Page images
PDF
EPUB

to finish and complete said building or structure, to be known as Hodgson Hall, on the plan prepared for that purpose, or as nearly so as practicable; to have and to hold the said lot of land and improvements, now and hereafter to be put upon the same, to him the said Alexander R. Lawton, his executors and administrators forever.

"In trust nevertheless, to permit the Georgia Historical Society to have the exclusive use, possession, control and management of said building and lot; Provided, said Society will, through its proper officers, accept the same on the following terms and conditions to-wit: That the said building shall be known as, and called, Hodgson Hall; that no public speaking shall be permitted within the walls of said building, except under the auspices or connected with the business of said Georgia Historical Society; that no entertainments or amusements of any kind, which include or involve eating, drinking or smoking, be permitted within the walls of said building; that the building is never to be rented or lent out for any purposes whatsoever; and, further, that under the portrait of the said William Brown Hodgson, which is to be hung on the wall of said building, shall be inscribed, in permanent letters, the following words: 'In Memoriam, William Brown Hodgson; this building is erected by Margaret Telfair Hodgson, A. D., 1873,' or other words of similar import; and that the other conditions, on which the use and control of the building are committed to the Georgia Historical Society shall also appear conspicuously on the wall of the principal Hall in the building.

"In witness whereof, the said Mary Telfair hath hereunto set her hand and seal this tenth day of June, in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-four.

"MARY TELFAIR. (L. S.) "Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of

"WILLIAM J. MARSHALL.

"D. R. GROOVER, Notary Public, C. C., Ga."

Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences

EXTRACT FROM WILL OF MARY TELFAIR*

"Fourteenth. I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the Georgia Historical Society and its successors, all that lot or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon, fronting on St. James Square, in the City of Savannah, and running back to Jefferson street, known in the plan of said City as lot letter 'N,' Heathcote Ward, the same having been for many years past the residence of my family, together with all my books, papers, documents, pictures, statuary and works of art, or having relation to art or science, and all the furniture of every description in the dwelling house and on the premises (except bedding and table service, such as china, crockery, glass, cutlery, silver, plate and linen), and all fixtures and attachments to the same, to have and to hold the said lot and improvements, books, pictures, statuary, furniture and fixtures, to the said Georgia Historical Society and its successors, in special trust, to keep and preserve the same as a public edifice, for a Library and Academy of Arts and Sciences, in which the books, pictures and works of art herein bequeathed, and such others as may be purchased out of the income, rents and profits of the bequest hereinafter made for that purpose, shall be permanently kept and cared for, to be open for the use of the public, on such terms and under such reasonable regulations as the said Georgia Historical Society may from time to time prescribe; but this devise and bequest is made upon condition that the Georgia His

*Miss Mary Telfair died June 2, 1875.

Will of Miss Mary Telfair dated June 1, 1875.

Will of Miss Mary Telfair probated June 5, 1875.

Messrs.

Wm. Neyle Habersham and William Hunter qualified as ex

ecutors June 7. 1875.

torical Society shall cause to be placed and kept over and against the front porch, or entrance to the main building on said lot, a marble slab or tablet, on which shall be cut or engraved the following words, to-wit:

TELFAIR

ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

the word 'Telfair' being in larger letters and occupying a separate line above the other words; and on the further condition that no part of the buildings shall ever be occupied as a private residence or rented out for money, and none but a janitor and such other persons as may be employed to manage and take care of the premises shall occupy or reside in or upon the same, and that no part of the same shall be used for public meetings or exhibitions, or for eating, drinking or smoking, and that no part of the lot or improvements shall ever be sold, alienated or encumbered, but the same shall be preserved for the purposes herein set forth. And it is my wish that whenever the walls of the building shall require renovating by paint or otherwise, the present color and design shall be adhered to as far as practicable. For the purpose of providing more effectually for the accomplishment of the objects contemplated in this item or clause of my will, I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the Georgia Historical Society and its successors, one thousand shares of the capital stock of the Augusta and Savannah Railroad, of the State of Georgia, in special trust, to apply the dividends, income, rents and profits arising from the same, to the repairs and maintenance of said buildings and premises, and the payment of all expenses attendant upon the management and care of the institution herein provided for, and then to apply the remaining income, rents and profits in adding to the Library, and such works of art and science as the proper officers of the Georgia Historical Society may select, and in the preservation and proper use of the same, so as to carry into effect in good faith the objects of this devise and bequest."

The Georgia Historical Society

Constitution and By-Laws as Amended to February

14th, 1910.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1.

Name.

The Society shall be called The Georgia Historical Society.

ARTICLE 2.
Objects.

Its object shall be to collect, preserve and diffuse information in relation to the History of the State of Georgia in all its various departments, and American history generally, and to create an historical library for the use of its members and others.

ARTICLE 3.

Classes of Membership.

The Society shall consist of Active, Life, Corresponding and Honorary Members. Active members embracing those within the State and such others as may be elected as such; Life members, those who pay one hundred dollars; Corresponding members, those at home or abroad who are, or may be, of service to the Society and its objects; and Honorary members, those distinguished for their public services, or literary, artistic, or scientific attainments, particularly in the department of history throughout the world.

ARTICLE 4.
Officers.

The officers of the Society shall be a President, two Vice-Presidents, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian and a Board of Twelve Curators, and such other officers as may from time to time be provided for by the Curators.

At the annual meeting in 1910 Curators shall be elected as follows: Four to serve for one year, four to serve for two years and four to serve for three years. At each subsequent annual meeting four Curators shall be elected to serve for three years, and others shall be elected for such terms as may be necessary to fill existing vacancies. Election of Curators shall be by ballot. The Board of Curators may fill all vacancies in their number pending the next annual meeting.

All other officers shall be elected by the Board of Curators, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board. The President, Vice-Presidents and Corresponding Secretary shall be elected from among the Curators.

ARTICLE 5.

Regular Meetings.

The Society shall meet annually on the 12th day of February, but if said day fall on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, the anniversary shall be celebrated on the following Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. The Society shall also meet on the first Mondays of May, August and November.

ARTICLE 6.

Special Meetings.

Special meetings of the Society may be called by the Board of Curators, by the President, or by either of the Vice-Presidents and shall be called by the President or

« PreviousContinue »