Braintree High School - Wampatuck Yearbook (Braintree, MA)

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i c Worship The relifj ' ious history of liraintree dates from the days of John Wheelwii ht and his “(diapel of Ease” at Mt. Wollaston and the quarrels concerning the religious beliefs of Anne Hutchinson. The ideal of religious freedom, cherished and upheld from the early days of colonization, has always been respected and protected as may b( ' witnessed by the many churches of many creeds in our town today. Education One of the first considerations of ovir ancestors was given to the cidtural welfare of their children when the C. ' oddington lands were purchased by the town for the purpose of building a school. From the first the sessions of the public schools were held in the Town Hall until the erection of the Monatiquot School in 1892. The high school was moved there and remained until the present Braintree High School was built in 1927. Thayer Academy was founded by General Thayer who, at his death, left a legacy for the establishment of an academy for the bene- fit of the former town of Braintree — now the towns of Braintree, Quincy, Randolph, and Holbrook. Braintree is proud of the educational opportunities open to her boys and girls in their preparation for a useful life. Prominent Men First among Braintree sons are the illustrious names of John Hancock, Samuel Adams and John Adams. History has already placed these stalwarts in the annals for all time. General Sylvanus Thayer is another Braintree name inscribed among the great. His “consecrated serviceableness” to the finer ideals of life is a lesson which all mankind might do well to consider. It is to the generosity of General Thayer that Braintree owes the Thayer Academy and the Thayer Public Library, among other bequests. The name of Josiah French is remembered for his untiring service to his community and his donation of the land to the town where the Town Hall and French’s Common is now located. The name of Capt. Moses French merits mention for his services as teacher in the public schools of Braintree. Himself an ardent patriot, he instilled into the minds of his pupils the love of country which pervades our community today. Thomas A. Watson, more than any other one man, was responsible for the growth of the telephone in its infancy through his untiring effort and scientific contributions in the field. Then, of recent years, though not a native of Braintree but yet perhaps the most dis- tinguished citizen of Braintree today, is our own beloved Horace T. Cahill, Lieut. Governor of the Commonwealth of Ma.ssachusetts. Little need be written of his sterling character and steady rise in th( ' respect and admiration of his fellow townsfolk. The role of distinguished names of Braintree could go on and on, but the few mentioned here must serve as highlights in our town his- tory. Braintree we salute you!

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300 Years 1640-1940 The Tereontenarv anniversary of the incor))oration of Braintree as the twenty-seventh town in the C ' onnnonwealtli of Massachusetts. Early Settlement The history of the town conunenced with tlie travels of John Smith south from the coast of Maine to sell furs, lie was attracted to these shores and ma) ' )ped this locality. Later came Capt. Wollaston, followed by the roystering Morton of INIerry iMount who was lat( r banished by our Puritan ancestors. After the departure of iNIorton and his band the land about Mt. Wollaston was g:iven out in rants: then came the relif :ious (piarrels caused by John Wheelwright and Anne Hutchinson whose plantations were in Wollaston. In 1640 Braintree was incorporated as a sejiarate town. The name seems to have been derived from the Anglo-Saxon Branchestre meaning “a town near a river.” The former territory of the town covered fifty .square miles but in 1792 Quincy withdrew, Randolph in 1793, Holbrook later on. Prior to this time the town had been divided into three jiarts according to its churches — north, middle, south. At the time of incorimration the town was re-divided, still holding to the three sections which persisted down to the present until recently six i)recincts were created to facilitate our present limited repre.sentative town system. Patriotism Braintree has always been a patriotic community. She sent forth the men chief in causing the Revolution and in all the battles of that wai- she was well re])resented. The jiart which the men of Braintree took in the C ' ivil War is commemorated by the Soldiers ' Monument which stands near the Town Hall. In the War of 1812 Braintree sons took an active part under ( ' ol. Clarke against the British in the harbor at Cohasset. In the Spanish American War Braintree sent her .share of citizens to }5articipate. Likewise for the last great struggle the Braintree role of honor contains the names of many who helped to fight a war to end war. Lieut. John P. Wood was the first Braintree High School graduate to sacrifice his life in this war for humanity. Industries Braintree is the birthplace of many of the nation ' s present-day growing industries. The first iron and glass works were situated here and the rude tramway, built to carry the granite for the Bunker Hill Monument, was the first in the country. Fish, shoes, and paper, among other industries, provided a livelihood for man} ' of our early residents. T I

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Our Faculty PRINCIPAL, James L. Jordan Secretary Kathleen Welch Science Samuel E. Lawrence, Head Paul V. Toolin Almeda M. Walker James M. Dysart Harold IM. Hawkes Mathematics Katherine K. Waldron, Head Alton C. Perrj ' Walter J. Kane Civics William H. Erwin James M. Dysart History G, Vinton Jones, Head Albert J. Murphy Eula I. Hutchins ICdward R. Oakman Constance F. Steelier, Head Charles W. Brooks Marion L. Billings Katherine D. Hearn Bernadine McCusker Mary C. Halloran Eleanor Chace ART Aldo C. Chiesa, Head Katherine D. Hearn Richard W. Johnson Latin Ida Wilsker Hazel M. Summerville Eleanor Chace French Josephine A. Keany, Head Hazel M. Summerville German and Spanish Chester Ullman Hofsehold Arts Ruth J. Bennett, Head Doris Trowt Commercial Raymond L. Strangford, Head Edna M. Parker Richard W. Johnson Mildred B. Ahlgren Viola P. Evans Lili A. Kleinberg Margaret C. Kirby Ruth W. Thrasher Anna M. Tilley Marion J. Simpson G. Kenneth Rogers Mary 1. Bohenko Librarian Ruth P. Strout Instrumental Music Arthur P. Hauck Vocal Music Mae L. Lindsay Physical Education Ellsworth R. Thwing, Head Alice E. Daughraty Nurse Mary E. Collins Cafeteria Doris Trowt PAGE 6