Written in 1888, Howe revises his early version, doubling its length by including twelve more years of research. Scare for many years, this volume includes material not found in other Methuen histories. Joseph Sidney Howe was born in 1832 and was a direct descendant of one of Methuen's founders. He later became Town Clerk and served in that position probably longer than any other clerk. Was one of the founders of the original historical society and became its first president and wrote a number of Methuen History articles for various publications. In 1876 he wrote "Historical Sketches of Methuen and in 1888 revised this material into his longer work "History of the Town of Methuen" In 1923 Joseph Howe died at the age of 91. This edition has a preface by Stephen N. Zanni, Mayor of Methuen.