USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Narrative history of South Scituate-Norwell, Massachusetts > Part 2
USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Scituate > Narrative history of South Scituate-Norwell, Massachusetts > Part 2
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In 1888 the high school was established and located
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"THE MOWER"
Photographie Study by Jared Gardner, made on his home place on Pine Street, Norwell. This picture has been published in Country Life in America, in the Capper's Weeklies, and in the Youth's Companion.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
in the District No. 2 school house. Edward J. Cox was the first principal. For a time there was only one assis- tant. In 1896 the school was moved to the new town hall building and the teaching force was gradually increased. A high school building was attached to it in 1922. This was burned in December 20, 1935, and was replaced by a new building during 1936 and 1937.
In old times school houses were very small and only one story high, one room with two little cloak rooms. Later larger ones were built and about forty-five years ago second stories were added to two of these to accommo- date grammar schools. The buildings at Districts No. 1 and No. 5 are still used for the primary grades.
There are still many fine old colonial houses in town, many others have been destroyed. The Cape Cod cottage type is well represented. Some of the houses have a very interesting history and hark back two hundred years and more. Few are nationally famous like some of the Massachusetts houses but their story and the story of the generations that lived in them is that of an industrious, thrifty and intelligent people.
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CHAPTER II DIVISION OF THE TOWN
A BOUT the year 1847 the people living in the westerly part of the Town of Scituate became obsessed with the idea that it would be to their advantage to have the town divided that they might become a separate town. Like most of the towns in this section, the original town- ship covered a large extent of territory. Portions of this were lost at various times as the "Two-Mile" in Marsh- field, a little on the Abington line and much more was lost when the Town of Hanover was incorporated in 1727, but there were still over twenty thousand acres, and the thick- ly settled parts of the two sections being quite widely separated the people along the shore were content to have the people in the inland territory have their wish. The interests of the two parts were dissimilar and the west- enders usually held more than their share of the offices. They, on their part, with their bank, their shipyards along the river, their well kept and thrifty farms and heavy pine forests, a source of taxable income, rather looked askance at the long line of barren beach and waste land which they were very glad to be rid of. They could not know that in less than fifty years the expression that "God made only a certain amount of sea shore" would be a common saying and that shore land would be measured in feet and not in acres as their fathers were wont to measure it, also that it would yield revenue from taxation far in excess of what anybody could possibly dream.
This is the reason, that, at the annual meeting in 1848 it was voted, very amicably, to separate and a committee was chosen to carry the vote into effect by arranging the bounds and petitioning the Legislature.
The act incorporating the new town of South Scituate was signed by Governor George N. Briggs, February 15,
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RUNNING THE LINE 1849 Pageant scene at town line near Sherman's Corner, Sept. 2, 1936. (Photograph by Ace Photo Service, Boston)
DIVISION OF THE TOWN
1849, and attested by W. B. Calhoun, Secretary of the Commonwealth.
In accordance with section five of the Act, Ebenezer T. Fogg, a Justice of the Peace residing in South Scituate, issued a warrant to Nathaniel Clapp, one of the inhabi- tants, to notify and warn all the inhabitants qualified to vote in town affairs to meet at the South Parish meeting house, Monday the 5th day of March, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon to choose a clerk and all necessary officers. This was done, Anson Robbins being chosen Moderator and James Southworth, Clerk pro tem.
The new town of South Scituate started on its way with the following board of officers:
Clerk, James Southworth; Selectmen, assessors and overseers of poor, Ebenezer T. Fogg, Samuel Tolman, Loring Jacobs, Samuel A. Turner and Abial Turner were added to the above gentlemen on the board of overseers of poor; constables, Nathaniel Clapp, Stephen Bartlett; field drivers, Charles H. Farrow, Charles Whiting, Nath- thaniel Brooks and Ephraim Stetson ; pound keeper, John Corthell; school committee, Rev. Caleb Stetson, Lemuel Waterman, Perez Turner, 2nd; highway surveyors, Rufus Farrow, Piam Jacobs, Michael Jacobs, Daniel Damon, Nathaniel Clapp, Charles Stockbridge, Paul Clapp, Elijah Brooks, Joseph P. Litchfield, Alfred Litchfield, Henry Merritt, Melsar Hatch, Elijah Cudworth, Samuel Foster, Nathaniel Turner, William Winslow, John Gardner, Wil- liam Sylvester 2nd, Philip Curtis, Cyrus Stoddard.
Prudential committee, Stephen Bartlett, Benjamin Jacobs, Billings Litchfield, Alfred Litchfield, Anson Rob- bins, James Southworth, William Copeland, Elijah Cudworth and Nathaniel Brooks.
Until the next decennial census the town was still con- sidered a part of Scituate for State or National election purposes and the voting was at the Scituate Town Hall near Sherman's Corner, just on the dividing line of the towns.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH SCITUATE-NORWELL
For a number of years the schoolhouses were the prop- erty of the several school districts but were later taken over by the town.
The member of the prudential committee for the dis- trict in which he resided hired the school teachers for his district.
The streets were not officially named until 1870.
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CHAPTER III SOUTH SCITUATE IN THE CIVIL WAR POST 112, G. A. R.
TIPWARDS of one hundred and thirty-five men, natives
of the town, filled the quotas of South Scituate in the Civil War, and of these twenty-four were killed or died in the service. Bounty men from other places made the total about two hundred.
Edward Southworth rose to the rank of First Lieuten- ant and Regimental Quartermaster in the regular service and was attached to a colored regiment, a position of un- usual danger, the Confederates being very severe with officers captured while commanding colored troops. Mr. Southworth was a native of this town.
Frederick H. Curtis was a sailor on board the man of war Congress, when that ship was sunk by the Merrimac, near Hampton Roads, Virginia. He escaped capture by jumping overboard and swimming ashore. Many others from here saw hard service. D. Willard Robinson, a young man for whom the local Post was named, died in prison.
Charles N. Gardner, a South Scituate boy, was awarded a medal for distinguished service in capturing a Rebel battle flag and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.
John H. Prouty received a 2nd Lieutenant's commission for bravery.
Waldo Turner of Weymouth once Department Com- mander of Massachusetts G. A. R. was a native of South Scituate.
Charles W. Reed, artist and illustrator, made his home in Norwell, for a time, and was a resident here at the time of his death. He was a Civil War Veteran and was later connected with Frank Leslie's Illustrated Magazine for some years. He was on the Plains with the troops in
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HISTORY OF SOUTH SCITUATE-NORWELL
several of the Indian campaigns and also in Germany. The illustrations in the old Civil War Book, "Hard Tack and Coffee," which was so popular in the 80s', were from his pen. He died in 1926.
Frank Alger, last surviving member of Post 112, was wounded and taken prisoner at Olustee, Florida, and re- ported dead. A year later he returned to his home, then re-joined his regiment.
Daniel R. Ewell was captured at the Weldon Railroad, and was a prisoner for fourteen months. He was in sever- al of the Rebel prisons, including Libby, Andersonville, Belle Isle and Saulsbury, N. C.
We are printing in full Mr. Fogg's very excellent ad- dress on Memorial day in 1924, in which he told the story of the war, the formation of the Post and dedication of the monument.
ADDRESS OF MR. FOGG
Horace T. Fogg, Esq., spoke before D. Willard Robinson Post 112, G. A. R. on Memorial Day 1924, as follows :
"When I was asked by the Commander of your Post to deliver the address before you on this Memorial Day, while I realized my inability to rise to the high standards required on an occasion of this character, I felt that his invitation was a command, and it was an invitation and a command which no one had a right to decline or ignore. That it is a distinction, I am deeply conscious.
In the many Memorial Days that have passed you have listened to those who were participants in the great strug- gle of the Civil War, to those who were eye witnesses to the going out and the home-coming of the Boys in Blue. You have listened to those who were active in affairs of state, and to many who have been eminent in church or court. You have heard eloquently portrayed the doubts and uncertainties of those early years, the victories and final success have been set forth in glowing words.
The lessons of that struggle and the wondrous America which was then born anew as a result of your effort and
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SOUTH SCITUATE IN THE CIVIL WAR
of your sacrifices, it has been your privilege to hear time and time again, and it is a story that these meetings have never tired of hearing. An oft repeated tale, it has been most worthy of repetition. But friends, I speak today along somewhat different lines. To you veterans I may perhaps recall certain incidents, to you younger generations I may recite certain facts to you unknown. The opportunity will not be mine to speak of the devotion and loving care shown by this Relief Corps nor of the loy- alty of these Sons of Veterans or of the American Legion represented here today.
I would speak first of four Massachusetts regiments the 18th, the 39th the 45th and the 43rd.
To the loyalty and patriotic spirit of citizens of Norfolk and Plymouth Counties is due the origin of this excellent infantry regiment, Mass Volunteers. Companies previous- ly formed and drilled in these towns were ordered into camp at Dedham by Governer Andrews in 1861, and made the nucleus of the 18th. The regiment, mustered in August 27, 1861, left August 26 under orders for Washington. Its history was brilliant, it shared in the battles of the Peninsular, Shepardstown, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor and Weldon R. R. The killed and wounded numbered nearly 250. There were at least 38 men from South Scituate, of whom 8 were killed and 10 wounded. None of the number are living today. The last to die was Edward P. Tolman.
The 39th Mass Infantry was recruited from Bristol, Essex, Norfolk and Plymouth Counties. Of those from Plymouth County a large proportion were from the towns of Hingham, Scituate and South Scituate. It was must- ered in September 4, 1862 and June 2, 1865 was mustered out by reason of the close of the war. The 39th served upon picket duty until July 12, 1863 when it was joined to the Army of the Potomac. From May 5, 1864 it was in the thick of the fighting and in nearly all the conflicts that took place in Virginia. The last year of its history was marked by heavy losses. There were at least 19 men in
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HISTORY OF SOUTH SCITUATE- NORWELL
Co. G, of this regiment from South Scituate and of that number one died and 9 were discharged for wounds or other disability, one of the number for disabilities con- tracted in Libby Prison. There are two of Co. G still liv- ing and present today, Benjamin W. French and John H. Prouty.
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1862 was an exciting day in Boston, witnessing the departure of the 45th, the 41st, the 43rd and the 46th Regiments. With the presentation of colors were eloquent patriotic addresses by Gov. John A. An- drew and Hon. Robert C. Winthrop. 18 men at least from South Scituate were present on this occasion of whom Joseph H. Curtis is now living, as well as two members of your own Post, Howard F. Mann, and George A. Hatch. Three of the 45th who afterward reenlisted in the 58th were killed in the service.
I would recall the devotion of those who remained be- hind and the constant and unfailing efforts of the women's organizations to make the lot of the absent ones à bit less hard to bear. Town meetings were frequent and a glance at our records shows the comfort and aid given to those in need. An article in the warrant of a meeting, held August 18, 1862, deserves passing notice. "Will the Town institute a home guard to detect, bring to light and cause to be punished those amongst us who sympathize with, and aid Treason and Rebellion ?" As no action was taken it may be assumed that such activities hardly ex- isted.
We are all familiar with the suggestion that a "crime wave" has to a certain extent followed the World War. That a similar condition existed after the Civil War is evidenced by the fact that in Dec. 1865, letters from the Adjutant General were sent to town officials throughout the state to ascertain what proportion of the returned soldiers had been guilty of any crime since their return home. The response from South Scituate was surely most gratifying. It was evidently written by Samuel Tolman, one of South Scituate's foremost citizens. He
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SOUTH SCITUATE IN THE CIVIL WAR
replied, "No soldier of South Scituate has been guilty of any crime, that as at their country's first call they laid aside the implements of honest industry, grasped the musket, bid a sad adieu to the loved ones at home and hurried to the battle, so when the rebellion was crushed, the Union saved, slavery destroyed, they gladly hastened to their homes, resumed their peaceful avocations and became the same sober, industrious citizens as before. We trust we shall never forget the debt we must forever owe those who have served in the late terrible war and we beg to suggest that some fitting memorial commemorate the names of the young men, who have for Freedom's sake laid down their lives and we believe it our solemn duty at no distant date to erect an enduring monument on which their names be engraved to be read and revered by succeeding generations."
Post 112, was mustered into the Grand Army, Novem- ber 25, 1869. Of the 11 charter members one is now living, Orlando C. Prouty, whom we met in the cemetery at the Center this morning. He was in Company G, 18th regiment, we had thought until today that all were dead.
Today there are seven surviving members: The largest membership was 126.
At a town meeting held April 1, 1878 it was voted to raise $1000, to complete the Soldier's monument. The dedication of the monument to the memory of the South Scituate's fallen heroes was on July 4, 1878, anniversary also of the battle of Gettysburg.
The program of the ceremonies of dedication included a procession of the Grand Army, several societies and lodges, clubs, and children of the public schools, but the weather was so intensely hot, the thermometer being 99 in the shade, many of the ceremonies were omitted, while the remainder were carried out in the First Parish church, to which the gathering was adjourned.
The line of procession was formed on Main Street.
South Scituate Brass Band David Stoddard, Leader, 20 men
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HISTORY OF SOUTH SCITUATE-NORWELL
D. Willard Robinson Post 112 O. B. Prouty Commander, 60 men
Carriages containing the orator of the day Gen. Horace Binney Sargent, Chaplain Rev. E. G. Babcock, the Presi- dent of the day Samuel Tolman, Esq., Hon. John B. D. Cogswell and Col. Brown of the 3rd New Jersey volun- teers, Post 31, W. H. Osborn, commander 32 men.
The First Division, Alpheus Thomas, Chief
Rockland Cornet Band, Herbert H. Arnold leader; Hart- suff Post 74, Rockland, J. H. Harper commander, 37 men; Joseph E. Wilder Post 83, Hanover, E. A. Mann command- er, 25 men; Joseph E. Simmons Post 111, Pembroke, Myles Sampson commander, 20 men; E. Humphrey Post 104, Hingham, E. T. Bouve commander, 20 men; Theodore L. Bonney Post 127 Hanson, John Barker commander, 40 men.
Second Division-Ezekiel T. Vinal chief, which was to have been made up of various societies did not march; nor the Third Division assigned to J. H. Curtis.
The monument was unveiled by Miss Carrie E. Simmons who, in performing the duty assigned her, drew the cur- tain from in front of a name most dear to her, that of her father Joseph Simmons, who died in the service of his country.
The monument marked the spot of the entrance to the old Town Hall, through whose portals went forward those who enlisted from South Scituate in that great war.
On the front panel of the monument are the words:
Erected In Honor of the Soldiers and Sailors of South Scituate Who Fell in the War of 1861 For the Preservation of the Union
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D. WILLARD ROBINSON MEMORIAL HALL Ridge Hill. Built in 1900
IN MEMORY OF D WILLARD ROBINSON POST 12 GARY
FRECTED 1936 8: " FREDK H CORTIS CAMP 143
OF THE CIVIL VXX
MEMORIAL BOULDER TO POST 112, G. A. R. Placed in 1936 by Frederick H. Curtis Camp 143, Sons of Union Veterans
SOUTH SCITUATE IN THE CIVIL WAR
On the South Panel :
Liberty and Union Established By Our Fathers Preserved Unimpaired By the Patriotism Of Their Sons
At the east and west sides of the monument are cut the names of 22 soldiers and sailors who fell in the war. I would call the roll, the date following the names being the date they were mustered into the service.
William T. Sylvester of Church Hill, mustered in Aug. 24, 1861, Co. G, 18th Reg. aged 40 years, died in hospital at Philadelphia, Aug. 1, 1862.
Josiah Stoddard 3rd of the name, Aug. 6, 1862, Co. K, 38th Reg. aged 23, died Nov. 17, 1862 in Baltimore, at Stewart's Mansion hospital of typhoid fever. His body was interred at Church Hill, Nov. 26.
Charles L. Stoddard, Aug. 24, 1861, Co. G, 18th Reg., aged 24, died Sept. 22, 1862.
Walter Foster, 2nd, 11th Infantry, July 20, 1864, died at Sickles hospital Oct. 8, 1864, aged 41.
Nathaniel W. Winslow, Aug. 5, 1861, Co. G, 18th Reg., aged 22. Killed in battle, Shepardstown, Md., Sept. 20, 1862.
Addison F. Nichols, Sept. 26, 1862, Co. G, 45th Reg., aged 19 years, re-enlisted Co. I, 58th Reg., killed before Petersburg, Va., June 26, 1864.
Elias Oliver Nichols, brother of Addison, Aug. 20, 1863, taken prisoner and never heard from.
Of Winslow and the two Nichols boys well may it be said:
"They died away from home and friends, our loved ones true and brave,
They have fallen for their country, they fill an unknown grave."
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HISTORY OF SOUTH SCITUATE-NORWELL
Lemuel Freeman, Oct. 7, 1862, Co. K, 45th Reg., aged 32, re-enlisted Co. I, 58th Reg., sergeant, died July 1, 1864 at Washington, from wounds received before Peters- burg. "He died to make his own race free."
George H. Merritt, Aug. 9, 1862, in the Navy, on the ship Brandywine, later on the Heitzel, transferred to the Louisiana, died Feb. 7, 1863 at the age of 20 years 3 months, buried from the hospital in Little Washington, North Carolina.
On a monument there are these words :
"Is his sleep less sweet in the land where the wild winds swept him,
Than if soothed to rest at home, and kin and friends had wept him ?"
Henry Currell, tried to enlist at 17, later enlisted in the Navy, Feb. 24, 1864, and died in the Naval hospital at Brooklyn, March 12, 1865, aged 1912 years.
Edward Dover, Aug. 24, 1861, Co. G, 18th Reg., died in South Scituate, March 1, 1862.
William J. Whitcomb, June 15, 1861, Co. F, 7th Reg., died March 20, 1862, in Washington, D. C., aged 18.
Clifton C. Vose, Sept. 12, 1862, Co. D, 44th Reg., re- enlisted April 1864, was at Andersonville prison, could not withstand the hardships of prison life, died Charlestown, South Carolina, Oct. 28, 1864, aged 21 years.
Gustavus Jacobs, Aug. 24, 1861, Co. G, 18th Reg., age 18 years, died at hospital, Hall's Hill, Va., Jan. 12, 1862.
Sidney Gardner, Aug. 6, 1862, Co. G, 18th Reg., aged 19, killed at Petersburg, Va., June 30, 1864.
Abial Farrar, Oct. 27, 1864, Co. M, 1st Reg., H. A., aged 18, died March 1, 1865, in Field hospital.
Joshua S. Damon, Aug. 29, 1864, Co. D, 2nd Reg., Heavy artillery, age 44, died of yellow fever at Newbern, North Carolina, Oct. 2, 1864.
Henry H. Gardner, Aug. 4, 1862, Co. G, 18th Reg., aged 21, died Dec. 18, 1862, of wounds received in battle of Fredericksburg.
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SOUTH SCITUATE IN THE CIVIL WAR
Henry W. Harlow, Aug. 24, 1861, Co. G, 18th Reg., aged 20, died Oct. 9, 1861 at hospital at Hill, Va.
Of the ten last named nine were but boys with average age of barely 19.
"What though brief their date,
We reckon life by deeds, not years,
That life is long which answers life's great end."
Herbert Graves, West Scituate, left Hingham, May 16, 1861 at the first call aged 26. I find no record of his death.
Joseph Simmons, Co. D, 39th Reg., Sept. 2, 1862, aged 33, died at Washington, March 3, 1864. He left a widow and three children.
Beza W. Drake, Dec. 7, 1863, Co. H, 2nd Reg., H. A., aged 19, died at Andersonville prison, Georgia, July 25, 1864. In the Soldiers Story of Captivity at Andersonville by Warren L. Goss, he speakes of B. W. Drake, a lad about 18 years of age a victim of despondency and star- vation. He wasted away to a mere skeleton and finally died.
Samuel Spencer, June 26, '61, Co. B, 12th Reg., aged 20, mortally wounded in trenches, died at City Point, Va., June 25, 1864, the day preceding the expiration of his service.
"He rests with those who every danger braved
Unmarked, untrophied, mid the soil they saved."
And last of the number:
David Willard Robinson, Dec. 7, 1863, Co. H, 2nd Reg., H. A., aged 18. His father David P., was a corporal in the same company. The story of his short, sad, but glorious life has often been told. A prisoner with his father at Andersonville, who when the offer was made to him to go out to work, replied, "No! I know for what I enlisted and have been fighting for, the boy and I may die, but we will never desert the cause." This was in July of '64. In Sept. they were moved with many other prisoners to Florence, South Carolina. It was dark and
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HISTORY OF SOUTH SCITUATE-NORWELL
raining hard when they arrived. Water and mud com- bined to make the ground an uncomfortable bed. During the first night a large number died, among them D. Willard Robinson, while lying under the same blanket as his father.
The father was refused permission to bury the body, he spread the poor remnants of his handkerchief over the face of his dead son, it was all that he could do. He left him there never to meet until the glory of a brighter morning.
The graves of many of these have not been decorated today by you, but they have been decorated with a crown of everlasting glory. The cause for which they suffered and died has triumphed.
A glorious immortality is theirs, They have not died in vain.
You have borne with me very kindly, but I would tres- pass on your patience a moment longer, and I would call the roll of the living.
Eight names I had on this list a week ago, one of that number Jacob B. Sulham, died Sunday last, aged 88 years. He enlisted July 2, 1861, Co. A, 16th Reg., Cambridge, aged 22, transferred Jan. 1, 1864 to the 10th Mass Bat- tery.
But seven remain:
Alfred B. Litchfield, your commander, enlisted Sept. 15, 1862, aged 25, Co. G, 45th Reg. We trust he may be your commander often in the future as he has been in the past.
Edwin R. Studley, enlisted Aug. 25, 1862, 11th Mass Battery. Hale and hearty at 90 odd.
George A. Hatch, enlisted Sept. 2, 1862, Co. F, 43rd Reg., aged 24. He listened to Robert C. Winthrop on Boston Common, Sept. 1862.
Howard F. Mann, enlisted from Hanover, Co. F, 43rd Reg. Sept. 1862, aged 18, re-enlisted May 30, 1864, Co. I, 58th Reg.
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SOUTH SCITUATE IN THE CIVIL WAR
Frank Alger, Aug. 31, 1862, Co. I, 40th Reg., aged 18. He served until the end of the war. He was taken pris- oner, and was with D. Willard Robinson, when he died.
Benjamin W. French, Sept. 2, 1862, Co. 8, 39th Mass Reg., aged 18. We are proud of his presence today, he carried the flag about as well as the boys.
John H. Prouty responded to the first call May 18, 1861, in the Lincoln Light Infantry of Hingham, re-enlisted sergeant in Co. F, 39th Reg., aged 23 years, promoted to 2nd lieutenant and discharged after the close of the war.
Long may all of you live and prosper.
After all the sadness of these Memorial Days has in great measure vanished.
The ties of kinship, friendship, love and affection are now almost all on the other side, and sadness and mourn- ing may well be turned to happiness and rejoicing, and now for all who have gone before well may we say:
"'Ten thousand times ten thousand,
In sparkling raiment bright, The armies of the ransomed saints,
Throng up the streets of light,
'Tis finished, all is finished, Their fight with death and sin
Fling open wide the golden gate, And let the victors in."
(From Rockland Independent of June 6, 1924)
Following is a list of men who served from South Scituate including, so far as we have been able to obtain them, those who were non-residents, but helped fill the quotas of this town:
Bates, Lorenzo, 39th Regt. Bowker, Joseph B., 18th Regt. Bassford, David, 7th Regt.
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