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1875: April 8. SS II/5: 58. “THE PROPOSED SPIRITUAL INSTITUTE.… A meeting was held at Rochester Hall, Sunday afternoon, on a call issued by some of the leading Spiritualists of Boston ‘for the purpose of opening the way for establishing in this city a conservatory of spiritual philosophy’ … H. S. Williams as Chairman, E. Gerry Brown as secretary … Messrs S. P. Morse, M. Miller and Mrs. Hattie E. Wilson were appointed as a committee to retire and nominate. Voted. That the committee, when reported [by the committee to retire and nominate], be an Executive Board for temporary organization; and that they be instructed to draw up a plan of organization.” Wilson was not elected to this executive board. The Spiritual Scientist followed this institute’s attempts to establish a “Spiritual Temple” closely, until its apparent fractious collapse, accompanied by a welter of resignations, with “only $45 in the Treasury,” as reported in September 1875 (“THE AMERICAN SPIRITUAL INSTITUTE,” SS III, no. 3 [September 23, 1875]: 34).
1875: April 10. XXXVII/2: 4. At a meeting held in honor of Maud E. Lord, “Hattie Wilson” was among those delivering speeches.
1875: May 1. XXXVII/5: 4. At a “Testimonial to Sarah A. Byrnes,” “appropriate words” were spoken by “Hattie Wilson,” among others.
1875: May 8. XXXVII/6: 4. At a “Farewell Testimonial to Mr. and Mrs. Hardy,” leaving for Europe, the speakers included “Hattie Wilson.”
1875: May 15. XXXVII/7: 5. “Rochester Hall”: “Mrs. Hattie Wilson named as one of those in attendance at the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1.”
1875: May 29. XXXVII/9: 4. “Meetings at Rochester Hall”: At a meeting of the Boston Spiritualists’ Union aimed at establishing the “American Spiritual Institute,” “Mrs. Hattie Wilson” was selected as its “Director—Educational Department.” See SS April 8, 1875, above.
1875: June 12. XXXVII/11: 5. At a party at Rochester Hall, “to surprise Dr. Samuel Grover on his birthday, congratulatory remarks” were delivered by “Hattie Wilson,” among others. At the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1 the Sunday before, a speech is delivered by “Hattie Wilson” at a Civil War memorial event.
1875: June 26. XXXVII/13: 5. “Rochester Hall”: “Mrs. Hattie Wilson presents bouquets to the members of the school [lyceum] in commemoration of the anniversary of the birth of her child into spirit-life”; Wilson also makes “remarks” to the lyceum.
1875: September 25. XXXVII/26: 8. “Mrs. Hattie Wilson” is one of those “furnishing readings” at the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1 the Sunday before.
1875: November 13. XXXVIII/7: 5. “Rochester Hall”: “Mrs. Hattie Wilson” delivered a “reading and [or] recitation” in the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1 the Sunday before.
1875: November 20. XXXVIII/8: 5. “Rochester Hall”: “Hattie E. Wilson” elected “leader” of “Lake Group,” Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1.
1875: November 27. XXXVIII/9: 5. “Rochester Hall”: “Mrs. Hattie Wilson” delivered a “reading and [or] recitation” in the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1 the Sunday before.
1875: December 4. XXXVIII/10: 4, 5. “Social Celebration”: At the wedding anniversary celebration for Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Hayward, “Mrs. Hattie Wilson” is one of those delivering a speech. (4) Wilson appointed to collect money for the Christmas tree and presents for Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1 (5). Her address is given as “46 Carver st.”
1875: December 18. XXXVIII/12: 3. A further appeal, giving Wilson’s name and address, is made for the Christmas tree and presents fund for Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1.
1876: January 1. XXXVIII/14: 8. “Rochester Hall”: Julia M. Carpenter, “Christmas Festival.” This note records the success of this Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1 Christmas event, organized by “Mrs Hattie Wilson,” and that Wilson “spoke a few appropriate words, thanking the Soliciting Committee of which she was Chairman, for their efficient labor, and also the people who had so nobly responded to the call.”
1876: March 25. XXXVIII/26: 4. “The residence of Hattie E. Wilson, (trance lecturer) was the scene on the evening of Wednesday March 15, of a large gathering of friends, who met to express their good wishes at the attainment by their hostess of another birthday in the form. Speeches by Dr. A. H. Richardson, Dr. John H. Currier, J. B. Hatch and others, songs by Misses Cora Hastings and Maria Adams, instrumental music by Miss Annie Folsom, the reading of an original poem by Dr. Grover, social conversation and the partaking of refreshments, comprised the order of exercises.”
1876: April 8. XXXIX/2: 8. “The Twenty-Eighth Anniversary of the Advent of Modern Spiritualism; Commemorative Exercises at Paine Hall, Boston.… The 31st March, 1876”: This item included a report of an address that Wilson delivered. “Dr. Richardson next called upon Hattie Wilson to address the audience. The intelligence controlling her said it was the duty of the adherents of Spiritualism to endeavour so to live that on the passage of each year they might perceive with their spiritual senses that they had ascended another round in the ladder which led upward to the heavenly heights—that they occupied a position in advance of what they previously held; but it really seemed to the speaker that too many of the Spiritualists were halting just where they were twenty-eight years ago—they were ‘halting on the old camp ground,’ where they had established themselves when the knowledge of the possibility of spirit communion first reached them. The debris of the years passed were not removed from their souls, and how could such Spiritualists expect the angels to endeavour to make their way through to reach them, when it was a plain duty to clear the pathway and extend to them a pure fresh welcome? The spiritual world and those who dwelt therein were only of a finer order of materiality, and spiritual defilement met with in the minds of mortals was just as repulsive to the returning Spirit, as any marked degree of uncleanliness would be to the dweller in the mortal. The process of decease was but the gaining of a new tent in the camp ground of the Infinite, and the character of that tent and its location as to desirability or otherwise depended on the efforts made in this sphere of life to gain knowledge of higher things and to clothe it with deeds done for the good of humanity. The spirit controlling prophesied that great as had been the trials of the spiritual media in the past, there were still more serious ones in store for them and the cause they represented.
“Isaiah C. Ray of New Bedford referred in a highly complimentary manner to the work accomplished by the previous speaker [Wilson], and called attention to the fact that years ago it had been his privilege to introduce her to a Spiritualist audience at her first public lecture.”
Ray had been a prominent Massachusetts abolitionist in the antebellum era, and had been in correspondence in 1843 with Asa Hutchinson of the Hutchinson Family Singers. He may have helped Wilson obtain her entrée into spiritualism by way of these connections.
1876: April 29. XXXIX/11: 5. At Rochester Hall “Hattie E. Wilson” is one of those giving an “address” at the funeral of Luther Stone.
1876: June 24. XXXIX/13: 4. At a picnic at Silver Lake Grove organized by the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1, “speeches” are made by Lizzie Doten, Dr. H. B. Storer, and Hattie Wilson.
1876: August 26. XXXIX/22: 4. In an advanced notice of a Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1 meeting to be held at “Highland Lake,” September 3, it is announced that “Mrs. Hattie Wilson will lecture.”
1876: September 2. XXXIX/23: 5. Wilson’s speaking engagement at Highland Lake Grove is confirmed: “Mr. Linton of England, Mrs. Hattie Wilson and others will furnish the speaking.”
1876: September 9. XXXIX/24: 6. “Gathering at Highland Lake Grove”: Wilson delivers a “trance address mainly upon freedom of thought, showing how this had been upheld or violated in the events of American history, since the landing of the pilgrim fathers.”
1877: February 10. XL/21: 5. “The Women’s Amateur Dramatic Club” announces a production of The Spirit of Seventy-Six, in which “Mrs. Hattie Wilson, the well-known medium, will appear in her fine impersonation
of ‘Tom Carberry.’ The Spirit of Seventy-Six was a popular parlor farce at the time, first published in 1868 and probably written by Ariana Randolph Wormeley Curtis (though possibly with her husband, Daniel Sargent Curtis).
1877: February 17. XL/23: 5. “The Women’s Amateur Dramatic Club” notes a production of “ ‘The Spirit of 76,’ in which Mrs. Hattie Wilson, the well-known medium, appeared in her fine impersonation of ‘Tom Carberry.’ ”
1877: April 14. XLI/3: 3. Gives the address of “MRS. HATTIE E. WILSON” as “Hotel Kirkland, Kirkland st, Boston, Mass.”
1877: May 5. XLI/6: 5. “Rochester Hall”: At a “Complimentary Testimonial tendered to Misses Lizzie J. Thompson and Florence Danforth,” “recitations of the highest merit were delivered,” one of these being by “Hattie Wilson.”
1877: May 12. XLI/7: 5. “Rochester Hall”: “The Lyceum Association will meet in the residence of Mrs. Hattie Wilson, Hotel Kirkland, (corner of Kirkland and Pleasant streets) at 7 ½ o’clock, in the evening of Friday May 11th.”
1877: May 19. XLI/8: 5. “Rochester Hall—The Spiritualist Association connected with the Children’s Progressive Lyceum will meet at the house of Mrs. Hattie Wilson, Hotel Kirkland … on Monday evening, May 21st, at 8 o’clock. It is earnestly hoped by the officers that every member will be present, as business of importance will come before the meeting.”
1877: June 2. XLI/10: 4, 8. “A number of the friends of Mrs. Nellie Nelson—so we are informed—tendered her a testimonial at Rochester Hall, Boston, Friday evening, May 25th, in acknowledgement of her many years of mediumship.… Speeches, songs, recitations and readings, participated in by … Mrs. Hattie Wilson [among others] (4).” Another entry noted “the Children’s Progressive Lyceum”: reading by Mrs. Hattie Wilson (among others) (8).
1877: June 9. LXI/11: 4. “Children’s Lyceum”: “[At a] Reception to Mr. Hatch … [t]he popular conductor of the Lyceum … [e]xcellent readings were given [by, among others,] Mrs. Hattie Wilson.”
1877: June 16. XLI/12: 5. “Rochester Hall … Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1”: A reading is given by “Mrs. Hattie Wilson [among others].”
1877: September 1. XLI/23: 5. “Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1”: “The annual meeting of the Lyceum for choice of officers will be held at the house of Mrs. Wilson, Hotel Kirkland, on Tuesday evening next, Sept. 4th.”
1877: October 20. XLII/4: 5. “Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1”: Wilson is appointed to a committee to draw up “an appropriate resolution” for the retirement of Mrs. Sarah Hartson “from the guardianship of the school.”
1878: January 26. XLII/18: 5. “A Complimentary Testimonial to J. B. Hatch, Conductor of Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1 of Boston took place in Paine Hall on Thursday evening, Jan. 17th,” with “Mrs. Hattie E. Wilson” among those giving readings.
1878: March 2. XLII/23: 5. “Amory Hall”: “At the opening of the Children’s Progressive Lyceum, on Sunday A.M., Feb. 24th, an eloquent bouquet of flowers was presented to George A. Downes, the Assistant Conductor, by his friends, through Mrs. Hattie Wilson.” Following this, “Mrs. Hattie Wilson” was among those delivering “select readings.”
1878: March 23. XLII/26: 5. “On Friday evening, March 15th, Mrs. Hattie E. Wilson was the recipient of a complimentary benefit at Amory Hall … during the time occupied, an array of selections, musical and rhetorical, was brought out to the evident satisfaction of a fine audience … [with] readings [among others] by Mrs. H. E. Wilson.”
1878: April 13. XLIII/6: 5. At a complimentary testimonial for Miss Suzanna Adams, formerly a well-known and hard-working member of the “Children’s Progressive Lyceum of Boston … Mrs. Hattie E. Wilson” was among those giving readings.
1878: April 20. XLIII/4: 5. “AMORY HALL”: “Remarks by Mrs. Hattie E. Wilson … contribute to add interest to the session of the Children’s Progressive Lyceum.”
1878: June 15. XLIII/12: 8. “Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1”: “Mrs. Hattie E. Wilson arranged … [a] dialogue, which was a very attractive feature in honor of the day [Memorial Day]. The groups were represented by delegates bearing in their hands bouquets of flowers; these representatives taking up their line of march to the platform, faced to the front, on reaching it, and after each had recited an appropriate verse, they countermarched, and as they passed a little mound erected on the stage bearing the inscription, ‘In memory of our ascended officers and pupils,’ they dropped upon it their offering of flowers. / At this point, while the band performed a selection, Miss. Lizzie J. Thompson was seen to enter the hall at the rear accompanied by two little misses arrayed in white as aids. Upon reaching the rostrum, Miss. T. recited a poem entitled ‘Heaven.’ ”
1878: August 3. XLIII/19: 8. “Lake Walden Camp Meeting”: “Following opening words by Dr. Currier and J. B. Hatch remarks [were made by] … Mrs. Hattie Wilson and others.”
1878: August 17. XLIII/21: 1–2. “Closing Days at the Lake Walden Spiritualist Camp-Meeting”: “Brief closing remarks were also made by Mrs. H. E. Wilson,” among others.
1878: September 28. XLIV/1: 5. “Amory Hall,” “Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1”: During the elections for officers, “Mrs. Wilson” is elected both to the “Entertainment Committee” and as a “Group Leader.”
1878: October 5. XLIV/2: 5. “Amory Hall”: “Mrs. Wilson” is named as one of those involved with the “Lyceum Sewing Circle.”
1879: April 12. XLV/3: 5. “Spiritual Meetings in Boston … Armory Hall Meetings”: The formation of a new lyceum, the “Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2 Charleston District, Boston,” is announced at Armory Hall, where, during its first meeting, “remarks” were made by Mrs. Hattie E. Wilson.
1879: April 26. XLV/5: 5. “Spiritual Meetings in Boston … Armory Hall Meetings”: The lyceum also announced the inauguration of “a course of Saturday evening lectures and concerts under the direction of Mrs. Hattie E. Wilson.”
1879: May 3. XLV/6: 5. Details are provided of the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2 Charleston District, Boston’s “organization,” naming J. B. Hatch as “Conductor,” C. F. Rand as secretary, and, on the “Standing Committee,” Mrs. Hattie Wilson.
1879: May 10. XLV/7: 5. The new “Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2 Charleston District, Boston” claims an attendance of “over 200 children” at its May Day celebration.
1879: May 24. XLV/9: 5. “An Entertainment given by the Ladies Amateur Dramatic Class for the pecuniary benefit of Lyceum No. 2 … took place at Armory Hall [Charleston] … Thursday evening, May 15th, being carried out under direction of Mrs. Hattie Wilson. The exercises consisted of two farces, ‘Love of a Bonnet’ and ‘Courtship under Difficulties,’ characters were sustained by [among others] Hattie E. Wilson.”
1879: June 14. XLV/12: 5. “Armory Hall,” “Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2”: “Decoration Sunday … Mr. J. B. Hatch, president, made a few remarks appropriate to the occasion and closed by introducing Mrs. Hattie E. Wilson, who offered a feeling invocation” (5). Another entry, under the heading “Armory Hall,” gave details of a letter of invitation from the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2 to the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1, “to invite you as guests, and extend to you the hand of love.… [L]et us show to the world that our actions can be in harmony with our words … [we invite] you to participate with us in our exercises on the occasion of Decoration Day, Sunday June 8th.” The letter was signed by “Conductor F. Rand, Mrs. Hattie Wilson and Mrs. Josephine Stevens / Committee.” The report then notes that this invitation was declined, but that the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 1 wished the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2 “unbounded success” (5).
1879: September 13. XLV/25: 8. “Ivanhoe Hall [Charleston],” “Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2”: A move of the Lyceum No. 2 to Ivanhoe Hall in Charleston, Boston, occurs for the first meeting after the summer break. At this meeting, “Mrs. Hattie E. Wilson” offered “words of encouragement.”
1879: October 1
1. XLVI/3: 5. “Ivanhoe Hall,” “Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2”: “Mrs. H. E. Wilson” delivered a recitation, “Great Heart and Giant Despair,” the previous Sunday. The recitation derived its title from John Bunyan’s much reprinted The Pilgrim’s Progress (London: Nathaniel Ponder, 1678).
1879: October 18. XLVI/4: 5. “Ivanhoe Hall,” “Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2”: “Mrs. Hattie E. Wilson” delivered a recitation, “Outward Bound,” the previous Sunday. A move to Amory Hall within Boston itself is announced.
1879: November 1. XLVI/6: 8. “Amory Hall [Boston],” “Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2”: Mrs. Wilson delivered a “select reading,” “Think and Do This,” the previous Sunday.
1879: November 15. XLVI/8: 8. A special meeting of the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2 committee, including its conductor, J. B. Hatch, and “Hattie E. Wilson” compose a resolution offering condolences to Mrs. C. Fannie Allyn following the death of her son, Lovernest Allyn.
1879: December 20. XLVI/13: 5. Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2 reports that “Hattie E. Wilson” delivered a “recitation” the previous Sunday.
1880: January 17. XLVI/17: 5. Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2 reports that “Hattie E. Wilson” gave a “reading” the previous Sunday.
1880: February 7. XLVI/20: 5. Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2 reports a visit by its committee, upon which Wilson at the time served as treasurer, to New York. The committee visited spiritual lyceums in New York and Brooklyn. It seems probable Wilson traveled to New York on this visit.
1880: March 20. XLVI/26: 1, 5. Under the headline “A Gala Week for Spiritualism,” the Banner features the first of three front-page reports of the two-day return visit by the spiritual lyceums of New York and Brooklyn to the Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2 in Boston, which had ended on Sunday, March 7. Hattie E. Wilson, named as Lyceum No. 2’s treasurer, was one of those who provided “choice flowers” to celebrate the delegation’s arrival on Saturday March 6 (1). In another notice, Children’s Progressive Lyceum No. 2 reports that “Hattie E. Wilson” gave a “recitation” at their meeting on Sunday March 14 (5).