Bridgewater State College – 1967 – 1st Issue Collage Student Magazine

This magazine was published in Spring 1967 and offered for 25 cents per copy by the Brotherhood of the Alpha Upsilon fraternity and features school talk, political commentary and cartoons.

The ‘General Arnold’ Wreck at Plymouth

Brief Overview:

*On December 24, 1778, the brigantine General Arnold leaves Boston for the West Indies.

*The vessel is carrying a crew of 105, and is commanded by Capt. James Magee.

*Soon after leaving Boston harbor, a blizzard begins – Magee makes for Plymouth harbor, seeking sanctuary from the rough storm.

*Christmas Day: the privateer has made its way to Gurnet Point just outside Plymouth Bay and is anchored. There is no other option but to wait out the storm in hope a pilot might reach them the next morning. Storm grows worse during the night.

*The General Arnold begins to drag anchor and in the very early hours of December 26 and goes aground on White Flats in Plymouth Bay – partially submerged in icy waters, the ship is pounded by violent waves deeper into the sand. Magee orders his crew below deck to wait out the storm but the brigantine doesn’t stand up to the harsh waves and her seams split – allowing for frigid waters to fill the ship – the crew is forced back up onto the deck, exposed to frigid temperatures. The storm continues to grow worse and when tide comes in, waves wash over the main deck, soaking the crew.

*Sunday, December 27, the residents of Plymouth are aware of the wreck in the bay. The townspeople try repeatedly to reach the vessel but each time are forced to turn around.

*Finally, at mid-morning on Monday, December 28, the first rescuer climbs onto the half-submerged, ice-encrusted General Arnold.

Witness description: “Here was presented a scene unutterably awful and distressing. It is scarcely possible for the human mind to conceive of a more appalling spectacle. The ship was sunk ten feet in the sand, the waves had been for about 36 hours sweeping the main deck, the men had crowded to the quarter deck, and even there they were obliged to pool together dead bodies to make room for the living. 70 dead bodies frozen into all imaginable postures were strewed over the deck… Those bodies that were to be deposited in coffins were first put into the town brook; a considerable number were floating on the water, fastened by ropes that their form might be made to conform to the coffin. But about 60 were thrown into a large pit… on the southwest side of the burial ground.”

Read a wonderfully written description of these events HERE

PDF Book: William Bradford of Plymouth

Click on image above to open PDF book.

National Monument to the Forefathers – Plymouth

Hunting Square – East Bridgewater – 1907-2010

Walk-Over Shoe – George E. Keith Company Part 2

Advertisements, Advertisement Post Cards, Shoe Horns & More

: on glass

: on glass

: Actual Size: 2 & 1/2 inches closed 4 & 7/8 inches opened completely

: Top Plate: 2″ x 3.25″ Middle Plate: 1.25″ x 2.25″ Bottom Plate: 1.6″ x 1.75″

Hurricane Bob Hits Wareham, August 19th, 1991

A drive around town as the Hurricane picks up…

Walk-Over Shoe – George E. Keith Company Part 1

Advertisement Watch Key – Bridgewater

The story of this Watch Key begins with a man named Herman Hewett, born October 27, 1833 in Marshfield, MA. At 18 years of age, Herman went to Rockland, where he became an apprentice to Walter B. Gurney, a jeweler and watchmaker. From there he next went to North Bridgewater (currently Brockton), where he worked at his trade for David Studley for several years, then he to Taunton, Massachusettswhere he engaged in the jewelry business on his own account. He remained in Taunton for a short while, removing thence to Bridgewater, where he opened a jewelry store, and continued in business there until September, 1863, when he sold out the business to his brother, Edward Austin Hewett. He then returned to North Bridgewater, now Brockton, and established himself in the jewelry business, opening a store in the Tyler Cobb building at the corner of Main and High Streets, continuing at that location for a few years, when he removed to the Henry L. Bryant building, known as the Old Opera House block, where he carried on business for some years. Finally he leased a piece of land at the corner of Main and West Elm streets, of Henry Cross, and there erected a building to which he removed his business, and where he continued successfully engaged until his death. He was the first in the town to have a street clock, which was lighted by an oil lamp, and was considered the standard timekeep of the town for many years.

from Brockton and Bridgewater Mass Directory of 1906

Edward A Hewett was born in Marshfield on March 30, 1840. Years after purchasing the jewelry shop on Central Square, Bridgewater, he became Town Clerk and took part in the Proceedings of the 250th Anniversary of Old Bridgewater (West Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Bridgewater & North Bridgewater (Brockton).)

Herman Hewett’s name is familiar amongst serious pocket watch collectors as being the man who’s name appears on a run of The American Watch Company of Waltham’s 1872 collection.