VI INTRODUCTION. 



thus having the benefit of suggestions throughout. Entering into the 

 work with unbounded enthusiasm, he has wrought with painstaking 

 thoroughness, exhausting all documentary sources of information, 

 delving with rare tact into the early experiences of the oldest inhab- 

 itants now living, and giving to the combined product a vivid and 

 romantic portrayal. 



The Committee record with deep sorrow the death of their honored 

 Chairman, Rev. Joseph Osgood, .d.d., on August 2, 1898. Dr. Osgood 

 felt the keenest interest in the work of the Committee, and especially in 

 the preparation of this history. His lifelong association with the 

 town and his devotion to its moral and intellectual advancement made 

 this work very dear to his heart. He attended every step of its 

 production with careful oversight, and it was one of the satisfactions 

 of his last days to have a part in the writing of the history, which he * 

 himself, in his fifty-six years here, had been a large factor in making. 



We mourn his loss and sorely regret that he could not live to see 

 the publication of the history ; but he has jjassed to his reward, and his 

 faithful, earnest, steadfast life will ever be held in grateful remembrance 

 by the people of Cohasset, with whose lives his own was so intimately 

 associated. 



Under the new Chairman, the work of the Committee has been con- 

 tinued and the details of publication have been carried out. The com- 

 pletion of this history should not be regarded as the end of all historical 

 work in the town. It ought i-ather to result in an awakening of the 

 public mind to the value of all particulars of our local history. IVIany 

 of the older residents in reading the book will probably recall to mind 

 other occurrences not yet recorded. These should form the subjects 

 of short articles or sketches and be given to the public through the 

 newspapers or otherwise. The Committee will endeavor to have all 

 such matters brought forward, and will also care for the collection of 

 historical relics and carefully preserve such documents of historical 

 value as from time to time are found. 



Another important work for the future is the production of a com- 

 prehensive genealogy of the town. This branch of the work has 

 already been committed to competent hands, but it will be a laborious 

 task for several years, and the cordial support of the town, already 

 given, will be relied upon to carry this to completion. 



The Committee desire to give public expression of their gratitude to 

 all those who have furnished them with documents and other historical 

 data, who have contributed to the collection of relics, or who, by their 



* Those interested in the career of this venerable pastor will find an interesting 

 account in the volume published in 1892, entitled A Fifty Years' Pastorate, being 

 a report of his fiftieth anniversary. 



