370 History of Hingham. 



To assist and encourage the Post of the Grand Army in its 

 noble work, to aid its charities, and to inculcate and diffuse the 

 spirit of patriotism among the children, a branch of the Woman's 

 Relief Corps was organized here December 17, 1885. Its first 

 president was Mrs. Mary Whiton, who held that office two years ; 

 she was succeeded by Mrs. Martha C. Wakefield during the next 

 three years, and by Mrs. Martha S. Litchfield, who was presi- 

 dent in 1891. The next president was Mrs. Hattie M. Lowe, 

 who was chosen in 1892, and again this year. There is a small 

 relief fund for the benefit of the needy among soldiers' families. 

 The present membership is seventy -six, and monthly meetings are 

 held at Grand Army Hall, which is also the headquarters of the 

 Corps. 



A cam]) of the Sons of Veterans, called the Charles S. Meade 

 Camp, also meets at the hall of the Post. It was organized 

 March 10, 1887, and its successive commanders have been Arthur 

 L. Whiton, C. Sumner Henderson, Gustavus 0. Henderson, 

 Hosea H. Batchelder, J. Arthur Batchelder, and Fred S. Wilder. 

 The Camp numbers about forty -eight at this time, and the mem- 

 bers materially assist in the ceremonies of Memorial Day. 



In the declining hours of the day, near the close of the beauti- 

 ful spring month of May of each recurring year, when the fra- 

 grance of a thousand flowers scents the air with its sweetness, 

 and the bright green of the young grass and new leaves clothes 

 New England in freshness, a little band of blue-coated men fast 

 growing into years, and with ever feebler steps marching under 

 the folds of the flag which to them has been a shield by day and 

 a star by night, to the music which was once an inspiration in 

 battle, which sung paeans in victory, lulled to slumber in weariness 

 and death, whispered ever of home, and to this day is never heard 

 without sending a thrill to the heart, enters the old cemetery, — 

 the village burial-place of the fathers, — and passing beneath the 

 pines which shade moss-grown stones and tombs, through wind- 

 ing paths leading by sunken graves, by the first settlers' monu- 

 ment, down into a quiet valley and up again to the height beyond, 

 ranges itself in line before the resting place and white statue of 

 their friend and comrade, the great War Governor. Here, aided by 

 comrades from a Post bearing his name in the city where his 

 official life was mostly spent, with a few earnest words breathing 

 his spirit, and with simple and brief exercises, the Grand Army 

 lays upon the grave of Andrew its annual memorial. 



A few steps farther, and around the granite pillar inscribed 

 with the names of the sons who so gallantly served her, the 

 people of Hingham await the ceremonies which keep bright the 

 memories of those who fell to sleep in the love of their country. 

 Here are the rulers of the town, the selectmen, chosen each 

 March to guide its affairs through the ensuing year, the constable 

 with scarcely perceptible insignia of office and inspiring little 



