Scope and Content: Following his success against the British forces composed of Brunswick mercenaries, Canadians, Loyalists, and Native Americans at the Battle of Bennington (Aug. 16, 1777), Brigadier General John Stark of New Hampshire presented the State of Massachusetts with several trophies taken from the Brunswick mercenaries: a brass drum (AR21, series A005), a firearm and bayonet (AR25, series A011), a Grenadier’s cap (AR20, series A006), and a Hessian(?) sword (AR7, series A012).  See: Massachusetts Archives. Artifact collection ((M-Ar)A001-A092) –Pursuant to Resolves 1777-78, c 528 (Dec. 4, 1777), a committee of the Massachusetts General Court was appointed to draft a letter of thanks to Stark.  Upon completion of the letter, it was approved by the legislature (Resolves 1777-78, c 529 (Dec. 5, 1777)), and a copy signed by Council president Jeremiah Powell on the foregoing date was sent to Stark stating that the trophies were to be deposited in the archives of the state to memorialize his success.  As thanks for his services, the General Court the same day directed the Board of War to provide Stark with a suit of clothing befitting his rank (Resolves 1777-78, c 530)
Notes: The Secretary of the Commonwealth is keeper of permanent public records of Massachusetts, including this series
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Scope and Content: As record keeper for the Commonwealth, the state secretary has responsibility for administration of elections, maintenance of public records, filing and distribution of regulations and public documents, corporate registration, lobbying agent registration, recording of appointments and commissions, storage of historical data, preservation of historic sites, administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, information and referral on all aspects of state government, and until 1990, administration of the state decennial census.  Series is created to determine publicity strategy on specific issues/events for constituent divisions of the state secretary’s office.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by office holder, thereunder alphabetically by division, and then alphabetically by subject
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Scope and Content: Publication by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the complete and annotated set: The Acts and resolves, public and private, of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, including the years 1692 to 1780, and popularly known as the Province Laws, was authorized by Resolves 1865, c 43, and again by Resolves 1867, c 87.  (See also Resolves 1893, c 12; St 1894, c 387; and St 1899, c 477.)  Under the mandated direction of the governor and council, the twenty-one volumes were issued between 1869 and 1922, with materials relating to the project being deposited with the state secretary.  Volume 6, containing private acts, was published in 1896.  Series contains publisher’s draft of the volume, presumably prepared by the then editor of the Province laws, Abner C. Goodell.
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Scope and Content: Per Resolves 1832, c 30, the governor appointed commissioners to revise, collate, and arrange colonial, provincial, and other general statutes of the Commonwealth, collecting those relating to the same subject matter under appropriate titles, chapters, and sections.  Successive joint committees of the General Court (both known as Committee on the Revised Statutes) appointed per orders of Jan. 22, 1835 and Mar. 18, 1835 respectively, reviewed and amended the report and continuing work of the commissioners.  The resulting codification known as the Revised statutes was enacted on Nov. 4, 1835, and printed with federal and state constitutions per Resolves 1835, Ex Sess, c 107.  Series consists of bound printed proof sheets with ms. annotations showing committees’ final revisions.
Arrangement: Arranged by chapter no
Notes: In keeping with traditions established in the colonial period, the state secretary is custodian of foundation records of the Commonwealth, including this series
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Scope and Content: Per Resolves 1916, c 43, the governor appointed commissioners to consolidate and arrange the general laws of the Commonwealth, collecting those relating to the same subject matter under appropriate titles and chapters, on the plan of the Revised laws then in force.  The report of the commissioners was reviewed and amended by a joint special committee of the General Court appointed in 1920.  The resulting codification known as the General laws was enacted on Dec. 22, 1920 (effective Jan. 1, 1921), and printed with federal and state constitutions per a resolve of Dec. 13, 1902.  Series is signed enacted copy consisting of bound printed proof sheets.
Arrangement: Arranged by chapter no
Notes: In keeping with traditions established in the colonial period, the state secretary is custodian of foundation records of the Commonwealth, including this series
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Scope and Content: Per Resolves 1855, c 9, the governor appointed commissioners to consolidate and arrange the general statutes of the Commonwealth, collecting those relating to the same subject matter under appropriate titles and chapters, on the plan of the Revised statutes then in force.  The report of the commissioners was reviewed and amended by a joint special committee of the General Court appointed in 1859.  The resulting codification known as the General statutes was enacted on Dec. 28, 1859, and printed with federal and state constitutions per Resolves 1859, Ex Sess, c 140.  Series is signed enacted copy consisting of bound ms. vellum sheets.
Arrangement: Arranged by chapter no
Notes: In keeping with traditions established in the colonial period, the state secretary is custodian of foundation records of the Commonwealth, including this series
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Scope and Content: Per Resolves 1880, c 46, the governor appointed commissioners to consolidate and arrange the General statutes of the Commonwealth, collecting those relating to the same subject matter under appropriate titles and chapters, on the plan of the code then in force.  The report of the commissioners was reviewed and amended by a joint special committee of the General Court appointed in 1881.  The resulting codification known as the Public statutes was enacted on Nov. 19, 1881 (effective Feb. 1, 1882), and printed with federal and state constitutions per Resolves 1881, Ex Sess, c 72.  Series is signed enacted copy consisting of bound printed proof sheets.
Arrangement: Arranged by chapter no
Notes: In keeping with traditions established in the colonial period, the state secretary is custodian of foundation records of the Commonwealth, including this series
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Scope and Content: Per resolves 1896, c 87, the governor appointed commissioners to consolidate and arrange the Public statutes of the Commonwealth, collecting those relating to the same subject under appropriate titles and chapters, on the plan of the code then in force.  A joint committee of the General Court was appointed by order of Feb. 26, 1901 to review and amend the reprt of the commissioners.  The resulting codification known as the Revised laws was enacted on Nov. 21, 1901 (effective Jan. 1, 1902) and printed with federal and state constitutions per a resolve of Nov. 21, 1901.  Series is signed enacted copy consisting of bound printed proof sheets.
Arrangement: Arranged by chapter no
Notes: In keeping with traditions established in the colonial period, the state secretary is custodian of foundation records of the Commonwealth, including this series
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Scope and Content: Per Resolves 1832, c 30, the governor appointed commissioners to revise, collate, and arrange colonial, provincial, and other general statutes of the Commonwealth, collecting those relating to the same subject matter under appropriate titles, chapters, and sections.  Successive joint committees of the General Court (both known as Committee on the Revised Statutes) appointed per orders of Jan. 22, 1835 and Mar. 18, 1835 respectively, reviewed and amended the report and continuing work of the commissioners.  The resulting codification known as the Revised statutes was enacted on Nov. 4, 1835, and printed with federal and state constitutions per Resolves 1835, Ex Sess, c 107.  Series is signed enacted copy consisting of bound ms. vellum sheets.
Arrangement: Arranged by chapter no
Notes: In keeping with traditions established in the colonial period, the state secretary is custodian of foundation records of the Commonwealth, including this series
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Scope and Content: Resolutions of the General Court deal with matters of a temporary nature, such as congratulations or memorials to Congress, and may be passed jointly or by a single chamber.  Copies engrossed on parchment may be made for presentation to parties mentioned in the resolutions or for other ceremonial or archival purposes. Such copies may be signed by the House speaker, House clerk, Senate president, Senate clerk, sponsoring legislator, and/or state secretary.  Original papers are found in: House unpassed legislation ((M-Ar)230) or: Senate unpassed legislation; see also: Resolutions ratifying amendments to the U.S. Constitution ((M-Ar)37) –Series currently includes resolutions: –(1) In recognition of the honor conferred by the Republic of France upon certain soldiers of Massachusetts; joint, 1918 –(2) On the observance of the bicentennial of the State House; House, 1998. –(3) On the observance of Performance Recognition Day (state and local employees); Senate, 2001. –(4) Supporting private property rights in Massachusetts; House, 2005.
Notes: The state secretary is custodian of this and other foundation records of the Commonwealth
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