From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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So much talk around protests being carried out throughout the country made me turn to Abraham’s Holmes memoirs. Holmes of Rochester grew up during the prelude to the American Revolution, served as a soldier and was active in the politics of setting up the new country. In his memoirs, he writes of the events he both witnessed and participated in.

            Following Britain’s moves to place new taxes on the colonies (without allowing for any representation), some took the plans in stride while others became alarmed for what the future might hold. In 1775, when Abraham was 11 yrs. old, the Stamp Act was instituted, and it provoked general feelings of anger and disgust. In his memoirs, Abraham writes, “In the populus cities, riots of no small dimensions broke out. In Boston, August 14, 1765, on a large elm tree, near where the Boylston Market now is were suspended the effigies of Oliver (the distributor of the stamp papers and collector of the tax) the Divil and Lord Bite in the figure of a boot. This singular exhibition attracted universal attention.” The rest of the day was passed in “great hilarity.” At the end of the day, the effigies were cut down, placed in coffins and carried throughout the city until they were burned at Fort Hill.

            The tree from which the effigies were hung was “denominated the Liberty Tree” and as anyone who’s ever watched Disney’s “Johnny Tremain” knows, the tree became a gathering place for the Sons of Liberty, though I can’t picture Paul Revere or Joseph Warren singing under its branches.

            Following this Boston protest, “Liberty Poles” (mimicking the Liberty Tree) began to appear throughout the colonies. As Holmes says, ” Liberty Poles were the order of the day. Every town had one.” He goes on to say that the one in Rochester consisted of “two spars spliced and were on a true slope from top to bottom, it stood 6 or 7 rods from the Meeting House.” It was close to 45 feet tall and at the top was a weathervane that was 3 or 4 feet in length. Carved into the vane was the word, LIBERTY, and it was painted white. The pole stood until the end of the American Revolution and Holmes writes, ” It was generally admitted that it was the handsomest Pole that was known.”

            Today, Rochester has a Liberty tree here in town. If you don’t know where it’s located a hint would be “books,” but that’s an article for another day.

By Connie Eshbach

Upcoming Summer Programs with the Marion Natural History Museum

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Butterfly Walk with Andrew W. Griffith of Massachusetts Butterfly Association, July 16, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Join the Marion Natural History Museum for a summer butterfly walk. Andrew Griffith of the Massachusetts Butterfly Association will be leading the walk in Nasketucket State Park, Mattapoisett, MA. We will be identifying local butterfly and moth species while talking about their habitat requirements, life cycles, and migration patterns. Let’s have some fun looking for our summer residents. We will be meeting at the park and please plan to wear appropriate clothing for walking through vegetation. This is a free program provided by the Marion Natural History Museum, however please RSVP at www.marionmuseum.org so that we know how many to expect. Meet at Nasketucket State Park, Brandt Beach Road, Mattapoisett at 10:00 am ‘till noon.

            Large Whale Vocalizations, July 25, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Erin Burke, Protected Species Program Manager MA Division of Marine Fisheries, will be sharing DMF’s new passive acoustic monitoring network in Massachusetts state waters and adjacent areas. These monitors collect information on large whale vocalizations, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale. DMF will use this information to enhance our understanding of the spatial and temporal presence of large whales; inform dynamic management of season fishing gear closures and vessel speed restrictions to protect right whales; and aid in the development of effective and efficient conservation measures. Let’s learn more about how this study will be helpful in protecting our local whale populations. A $10.00 donation to the Marion Natural History Museum is greatly appreciated.

            Learn how to make paper with forester Jim Rassman on July 30, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at the museum – Register at www.marionmuseum.org.

            Amazing Animal Ambassadors with Cape Cod captive wildlife care expert Bethany Jakubson. Monday, August 4 at 2:00 pm. Cost is $10.00/family. Seeing wild animals up close can become a child’s treasured memory, open up a whole new world of wonder, and spark a lifelong love of animals. This is the mission of Amazing Animal Ambassadors. Join owner Bethany Jakubson and some of her favorite members of the natural world including Milo the Fennec Fox, Bailey the African Pygmy Hedgehog, Sydney, Prim and Roo the three Sugar Gliders, Ande the Chinchillia, and Buttercup the skunk among others. This presentation has been partially funded by the Marion Cultural Council.

            Early Life History of Humpback Whales, August 8, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Humpback whale mothers give birth in the Caribbean and travel with their babies to New England waters to feed each summer. This talk will dive into the world of young calves and juveniles of Humpback whales. Associate Professor Kathryn Kavanagh and doctoral student Eman Khwaja will share some recent research on humpback whale behavior. They study the reproductive and developmental biology of vertebrates, including whales. They will share current studies of the humpback whale population – in particular related to maternal care and life history.

            Please go to the museum’s website: www.marionmuseum.org to register or RSVP to any of these programs.

Join Us The Great Community Picnic

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Begin with a summer sunset by the harbor, friends and neighbors, and your own delicious picnic fare. Add great live music by Gary Brown & Bill Santos. Throw in fresh local oysters. Result? The Great Community Picnic on Thursday evening, August 7, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Munro Preserve adjacent to the town wharf.

            Mattapoisett Land Trust and Mattapoisett Museum, the event hosts, will provide tables, chairs, and tablecloths. Bring your own food, utensils & plates. Creatively transform your table with flowers, napkins, etc.

            Tables available for 4 ($160), 6 ($240), 8 ($320) or 10 ($400) diners. A place at the community table costs $40. Buy a ticket for the community table or buy a table. Space is limited – buy a table while they last.

            This year’s picnic is sponsored by Eastern Bank. Tickets are available online: www.mattapoisettmuseum.org/event-info/the-2025-great-community-picnic-1. Ticket sales will end on Monday, July 28 or when we sell out, whichever comes first. Make plans now to join us for this festive memorable evening.

Buzzards Bay Musicfest Open Rehearsal

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The musicians for the Buzzards Bay Musicfest come from around the country and, indeed, around the world. They perform in the finest concert halls, opera houses, and ballet theaters while continuing to collaborate with world-class artists that make their experiences unique and profound. They have played in ensembles that range from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to the New York Philharmonic and from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to the recording studios of Hollywood, the biographies of these players are remarkable and will astound you with their accomplishments and musical pedigree. What is even more astonishing is that they will be performing in the 27th season of the Musicfest at Tabor Academy in Marion from July 9 through July 13. All concerts are free admission.

            On Wednesday, July 9 at 2:00 pm, there will be an open rehearsal. This will be a unique and rare opportunity to observe professional musicians in rehearsal as they prepare for the evening performance. This is a musical event you will not want to miss. The open rehearsal is free for any and all to attend. Music lovers of ALL ages are encouraged to be a part of this special event. All concerts for the Buzzards Bay Musicfest will be held in the Fireman Performing Arts Center on the campus of Tabor Academy, 245 Front Street, Marion. For more detailed information, please visit: www.buzzardsbaymusicfest.com.

Hartley Receives Acclaim, Appreciation

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            The Old Rochester Regional Joint School Committee met on June 12 for a public meeting between Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester elected committee members and ORR Administration. Following the recent end of the academic year, the air was positive, and attendees were excited for a deserved break and prep-time for the coming school year.

            ORR School Committee Chair Michelle Smith and Massachusetts Superintendents Union #55 Chair Nichole Daniel held their respective roll calls for the meeting, and Smith added a note of sadness while acknowledging the retirement of Mattapoisett member Rose Bowman, this being her final meeting. Superintendent Michael S. Nelson then spoke, thanking those in attendance as well as teachers and other staff members for their hard work and a congratulations for successfully completing another school year.

            Smith then read a thank you to former longtime Rochester and Union-side member Sharon Hartley for her over 20 years of service to students, the school districts, and school committees. “I will truly miss you and I thank you for; I feel like you mentored me through, and I appreciate that and I miss you,” she concluded. Hartley was in attendance and was gifted a copy of The Mystery of the Haunted Dance Hall by Charis Cotter, with a thank you note within from the ORR Joint School Committee.

            Hartley thanked the committee and other coworkers and expressed the importance of the joint committee. She spoke of her desire for the committee to continue to use their time together effectively to help one another and work together, saying “this is our time for communication and our time to help each other.”

            Following recognitions, the committee moved on to discuss the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, with the first day of school being Wednesday, August 27 (Kindergarten begins on August 29). Superintendent Nelson also began discussions on the “Vision 2028 Strategic Plan,” being the district’s general plan for the next few years. “We have five objectives; the superintendent’s goals, your school improvement plan goals, the administrator’s goals, teachers, et cetera.” The committee spoke of goals for students as they climb through their academic careers, as well as the importance they place in assessments and the addition of midterms to their assessment calendar.

            The committee expressed satisfaction with progress made during the previous year, while also voicing intentions to revisit certain initiatives in upcoming fall meeting. They also emphasized community and parent involvement, with administrators and the superintendent encouraging parents to remain active in the planning school policy.

            The next meeting of the ORR Joint School Committee will be held in September, following the beginning of the next school year.

ORR Joint School Committee

By Sam Bishop

Damon “Webby” Kenison, Sr.

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Damon “Webby” Kenison, Sr., 91 of Salem, NH passed away on Thursday, November 14th at Parkland Medical Center, Derry, NH.

            He grew up in Salem and after graduating from Woodbury High School, he joined the US Army to begin a 27 year career in military intelligence beginning with the occupation of Japan, the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict. After retiring as a CW4, he proudly continued serving his country for another 15 years as an instructor/advisor for the DoD military intelligence school, totaling 42 years of government service.

            He was a member of the Spicket Lodge Freemasons, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Bektash Shriners, the Scottish Rite, the VFW, the Foreign Legion, the American Legion, the Military Officers Association of America, the All Volunteer Force, the AMVETS, the DAV, the TRUA, the Salem Historical Society, the Salem Men’s Club and the Pleasant St. United Methodist Church.

            Webby enjoyed spending time with family, friends and pets, cruises to Bermuda, Alaska and Panama, traveling throughout Europe, ALL 50 states and Puerto Rico on vacation with family or for duty assignments, bowling (10 pin on base, candlepin and duckpin in NE), spending time at the family cottage on Crescent Beach, Mattapoisett, MA, volunteering with mom at Salem Haven and the Manchester VA or clowning around in local parades, making his famous fruit salad and eggnog for every holiday, eating out whenever possible and enjoying quiet days and nights streaming movies and watching endless Hallmark shows AND when he wasn’t busy, he would read.

            He will be deeply missed by his son, Damon Kenison, Jr., and loving companion Donna Dailey, daughter Mary Lou Gould and husband Frederick, Jr., four grandchildren; Damon Kenison III and wife Jenn of AR, Jamie Kenison of VA, Angela Normyle, Christopher Mata and wife Christina of SC, and six great grandchildren; Jonathan Mata, Brady Normyle, Nathaniel Mata, Carter Normyle, Kennisen Mata and Charlotte Mata, several nieces and nephews and granddogs; Teddy, Toby and Winnie.

            He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Helen Kenison, his siblings Beatrice, William and Maynard and daughter-in-law Heather Kenison.

            Visitation was held on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at Douglas and Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St. Salem, NH 03079. The funeral service was held Friday, November 22, 2024 at Douglas and Johnson Funeral Home with burial following in Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem, NH.

            In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the DAV – Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301

            To send a message of condolences to the family please view the obituary at www.douglasandjohnson.com.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Starting on July 1 – we’ll be offering weekly programs for kids grades 1-6. Kids entering first through third grade can join us for Book Explorers on Tuesdays at 11:00 am or Thursdays at 2 pm. Kids entering grades 4 through 6 can join us for Library Adventurers on Tuesdays at 2 pm or Thursdays at 11 am. We’ll read together, explore library resources, and make incredible creations. No registration is necessary – pick the session time that works best for your child and get ready to Level Up at Your Library all July long.

            Kids can create fun and wearable jewelry at the Kids Beaded Jewelry Workshop, for ages 7-13; Saturday, June 28 at 10:30 am – Spaces are limited, call the library to register

            Jill Pimental brings her 27 years of sewing experience to the Elizabeth Taber Library, offering a practical skill and creative outlet for those who attend. Jill will teach essential machine and hand sewing techniques, promoting sustainability through clothing repair, and encouraging creative expression to adults and young adults. Don’t have a sewing machine? Starting this summer the Elizabeth Taber Library will have sewing machines and supplies available for check out. Workshops will be held Tuesdays in July from 6-7:30. The first class: July 1: Machine-Sewing Basics. Learn how a sewing machine works, safety, how to operate the machine, basic stitches and their functions. Spaces are limited. Register for one or more sessions. For more information or to register contact the library at 508-748-1252 or email ETLibrary@sailsinc.org.

            Join the library on Thursday July 17 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm for an evening with Ben Shattuck, author of The History of Sound (now a major motion picture) and Six Walks. Please call the library to register for this free program, there will be a limited number of books available to purchase starting July 7.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org.

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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College and high school graduations that have filled our local news are now in the rearview mirror and schools have closed for summer vacation. The number of “grammar” schools in Rochester have fluctuated over many years, going from the district system to a municipal system and then beginning in 1902 under a superintendency. Through these changes, one thing remained constant. Graduating from Grammar School after completing eight grades was an accomplishment to be celebrated.

            Grammar school graduations were big events. Dave Watling donated the program for the 1926 Graduation Exercises of the Rochester Grammar Schools. A picture of the cover is shown with this article. The event was held at the Grange Hall at 8:00 pm on June 17, 1926. The program was extensive, beginning with the entrance of the class and an Invocation.

            This was followed by songs performed by the Glee Club alternating with essays presented by their authors. The first Honor Essay, “the Honey Bee” was read by Priscilla Gifford. The second Honor Essay, “The Haven of Work” was by Avon Howe Gerrish. There were three additional essays as well as a piano solo by Clara Isabelle Garcia and a song sung by Catherine Teresa Walker.

            The music and essays were followed by a cast of students performing the “Trial Scene” from “The Merchant of Venice” and then the awarding of Reading Certificates and the presenting of diplomas. The evening ended with a Benediction.

            This Grammar School graduation ceremony was for 17 students from four schools: Priscilla Gifford, David Lawrence Hartley and Addie Augusta Shurtleff from the Center School; Clara Isabelle Garcia, Avon Howe Gerrish, Arthur Arnold Reed, Myrtle Olive Reed, Edward John Thomas and Gertrude Louise Thomas from the North Rochester School; Chester Albert Rollins, Catherine Teresa Walker and George Edward Walker from the Pierceville School and finally, from the Stuart School, Albert Oscar Bourgault, Florence Gayorski, Mary Blanche Ouelette, Romeo Theophille Ouelette, Edward Tomasik and Agnes Tavares.

            We have a few other graduation programs in the museum collection. The 1934 program lists all the students (including my mother, Maude Sybil Hartley and Dave’s mother, Louise Spenser Hartley) without referencing their school.

            For many of these graduates, this would be the end of their schooling. Some would be going on to work or training for specific skills and some to family farms or businesses. Those going on to high school would do so outside of Rochester. According to research done by Dorothy Mac Gregor, as of 1901, Rochester students went to high school in Middleboro, Fall River or New Bedford. My grandfather born in 1891 attended Fairhaven High School.

            Starting in 1924, Rochester students were transported to Wareham High and in later years went to New Bedford High. This continued until the opening of Old Rochester Regional High School in 1961.

By Connie Eshbach

MYC Invitation to Ensign Owners

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Own an Ensign? Ever wanted to try your hand at racing? Here is your opportunity. The Mattapoisett Yacht Club holds Ensign races on Tuesday evenings off Ned’s Point. This fleet has been active for many years and MYC members also trail their boats to regional and national Ensign regattas. The Mattapoisett Yacht Club has hosted both the Northeast Regional Ensign Championship and the Ensign National Championship which brought 2 dozen boats to town.

            We are inviting all local Ensign owners to join us for low -key racing on July Tuesday at 6:00 pm. These would be non-spinnaker races on courses about a mile in length. They will take 20 to 40 minutes depending on the wind. We will use just 4 basic rules designed to avoid collisions. Experienced MYC racers from our PHRF fleet will be on hand in powerboats to offer coaching and tips while you are on the course. Friends and family can watch the races for Ned’s Point. All you need is an Ensign, a VHF radio and life jackets for your crew. After the race, enjoy a picturesque sail back to your mooring into the setting sun. Then join the regular ensign crews at the MYC clubhouse for some tall tales of racing washed down with appropriate beverages (BYOB). The top finishers will get a trophy glass and bragging rights for a week.

            If you find you enjoy racing, consider joining our regular fleet. If there is enough on-going interest in the low-key fleet, we will set up a regular Tuesday evening series for August. Contact Race Committee members Mike Dahill (mjdahill@verizon.net) or Ed Normand (ednormand@verizon.net) for more information. We hope to see you on the water.

            These races will start on July 8 at 6:00 pm. Make sure to check in with Ed or Mike at the RC boat on VHF channel #71 before the race.

Mattapoisett Town Band

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The Mattapoisett Town Band will kick off its 125th season of weekly band concerts on July 2. The concert season runs for eight weeks from July 2 through August 20. All concerts begin at 7:00 pm at Shipyard Park in Mattapoisett.

            The July 2 concert will be in celebration of July 4. The concert program will include: Marches by John Philip Sousa, E.E. Bagley, Jimmie Dodd & Eric Osterling. Other selections will consist of rock and roll favorites from the 50s and 60s, songs from the American Revolution, and other Americana standards.