STOUGHTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOUNDED 1895

Volume II, Number 4 - May 1971

THE FIRST APPEAL of the Canton Historical Society may well apply to our own organization today. It read: "We want to treasure up all the old traditions from the time of the Indians to the present day. We should like, above all things, to rummage in forsaken attics, to ransack those mouldering papers which the good-wife has declared time and time again she will sell to the ragmen. We have reason to believe that bushels of this "old stuff" are yearly given to the flames and we desire to save : it, and that immediately; ^{_{for if we of the present generation allow these precious memorials of the past to be lost, no industry, no wealth, can supply the deficiency." (So DO NOT THROW OUT those bits of our Town's History and Heritage. See to it that they are preserved by our Society; and let your friends know that we will give all such donations proper evaluation and protection until such day as we may have room for respectful display.)}}

A RED MARK encircling the "Box 349" on the front of your Newsletter indicates that our Treasurer had not received your dues as of April 20th. Please disregard this reminder if you have already fulfilled this obligation. . . and thank you.

OUR REFRIGERATOR has finally arrived and was used to cool the refreshments, served, by the Hospitality Hostesses, Helena Blum and Frieda Wade, at the April 19 meeting.

GIFTS in April came from Eleanor Mahoney (a view of the Town House dated about 1888, before the Monk Block was erected), Joseph Pitta (a recording by Margaret Woodrow Wilson presented to us through the Public Library Staff), Carl Smith (a collection of newspapers and an old poster), A. Nonymous (a cash-donation), V. Leslie Hebert (old post card views of Stoughton Square) Thanks to all.

A GROWING ORGANIZATION, we welcomed seven new members in April: Mrs. Elsie Otto, Richard Batchelder, Helen Miller, Mr. and Mrs. James McCormick, Teresa Halliden and Bernice Handy. Let's keep growing.

OUR FEATURED SPEAKER, Mr. V. Leslie Hebert, tree historian, in his lecture "Under the Liberty Tree" held our membership in rapt attention. Dressed in authentic Colonial uniform, Mr. Hebert spoke very knowingly on the many Liberty Trees found in locations throughout the eastern section of the United States. Particularly, he referred to Boston's Liberty Tree and the Sons of Liberty. For full particulars on the text of his address see the excellent write-up in the April 22 issue of the "Brockton Enterprise". At the conclusion of his lecture, Mr. Hebert was unanimously voted an Honorary Member of the Stoughton Historical Society in appreciation.

ALL BUSINESS postponed or tabled at the April meeting will be concluded at the May 17th meeting, including a demonstration.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that we have a full attendance at the trustees' meeting on May 4th.

THE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE this year will be to the Heritage Plantation in Sandwich, Massachusetts. The Society will pay transportation and admission to the Heritage Plantation. From the Plantation we will travel by bus to the eating place (Anthony's) at the East end of the Cape Cod Canal where members will be able to obtain anything from a sandwich to lobster and steamers. An excellent view of the entrance to the canal is afforded from the eating place. Reservations must be made early by phone to either Esther Hill at 344-4952 or to Amy Terrell at 344-2222. Please let them know how many will be in your party; and particularly, how many members (others are welcome but must pay all their expenses.) The ABSOLUTE DEADLINE for reservations is May 15, two weeks preceding the Pilgrimage on May 29.Time of departure and other details will be announced at our regular meeting on May 17th.

WHO WAS LUCIUS CLAPP? Lucius Clapp was the son of a self-educated orphan and was the eighth in direct descent from Thomas (born in Dorchester, England, in 1597). Lucius was born in North Bridgewater (now Brockton), Massachusetts, in 1817; educated in "common" and private schools. He was reared as a farmer, took great pride in this avocation, was one of the representative farmers of his progressive age (the 1880's). He always resided on his father's homestead; married Emily Waters in 1847. Formerly a Whig, he was one of the original Free-Soilers and was chairman of the first Free-Soilers meeting in Stoughton. Later, he supported the Republican party from its inception. Taking an avid interest in town affairs, Lucius Clapp was a member of many school committees and a selectman for several years. He was an attendant and supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Huntoon, local historian, wrote: "We must, however, give the remark made by a prominent citizen concerning him,'He is a SELECTman in the fullest and highest sense of the term, an able man, and honest and faithful as able.' "

WE HAVE A FEW members who are responsible for most of our newest members. Let's follow their fine lead and conduct our own individual membership campaigns this summer. Everyone is welcome.

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