Kingston was originally known as the "lands around the Jones River or the North Precinct of Plymouth".
The town was named in honor of King George II.
Kingston's first schoolhouse was built in 1714. Establishment of a church and school was instrumental in the
1717 petition to the General Court to be set off from Plymouth as a separate township.
The 42nd Parallel runs directly through Kingston. A marker is located on Landing Road.
Ship building began on the Jones River in 1810. Three major shipyards built more that 300 vessels. The
Brigantine Independence was the first warship commissioned for the Revolutionary Provincial Government of
Massachusetts. It was launched at the Drew Shipyard in Kingston in July 1776. It was commanded by Captain
Simeon Sampson, a Kingston resident.
One hundred and fifty four men from Kingston served in the Civil War, as well as Miss Martha Sever, who died
while serving as a nurse.
In 1887, 120 years ago:
Population - 1600
Tax rate - $6.00 per $1000
Number of homes - 370
Total value of all real estate - $800,000
Kingston Fire Department was organized
Appropriated for Kingston's police protection - $200
In the 1970's, free band concerts were held on the Town Green. Bands included The Dixieland Band and the
Plymouth Legion Band.
Silver Lake used to be named Jones River Pond.
The Ah De Nah was earlier known as the Nook. It is a western Indian name meaning "a good place to stay" or
" good campground". This area was named by Waldo and Edgar Loring.
In 1950 the Kingston Fire Department, Engine Company #1, was granted permission to use a plot of town
owned land at the junction of Main and Summer Streets for a Fire Department memorial.
Kingston once had its' own "Frog Pond". In 1922, approximately nine acres was acquired by the town for
playgound purposes. It was described as "the land in the rear of the Public Library property, including Frog
Pond, so-called, and extending through to the Landing Road in general. It follows a line parallel to the (illegible) of
Abram's Hill on the south side and reaches the railroad on the north side". That land is now the recreational
fields and playground behind the Reed Community Building.
The Jones River was named after Christopher Jones, Captain of the Mayflower.
The first Kingston Town Report was published in 1860, 42 years before state law made it a requirement.
Center Street was formerly known as Mutton Lane.
John Washburn is credited with being the "inventor" of the screw auger. After seeing an in illustration of an auger in
an English magazine, Washburn developed his own version which was used extensively in the building of ships along
the Jones River.
The first tavern in Kingston was opened by Sarah Little, widow of Charles Little one of the original petitioners who
founded the town of Kingston. In 1728, with no means of income, she opened the Widow Little's Tavern in her
residence, now 191 Main Street.
In 1909, the Jones River Village Club was organized with the goal of advancing the encouraging the growth,
welfare and prosperity of the Town of Kingston. The Club is now known as the Jones River Village Historical
Society, which preserves, protects and maintains the Major John Bradford Homestead.
Information from the following publications and authors: -Bailey, Sarah Y. and Drew, Emily F. A Civic Progress of Kingston and A History of Her Industries. Plymouth, 1926.
-Kingston Fire Department. The History of the Kingston Fire Department 1887-1987. Kingston, 1987
-Human Relations Association of the Silver Lake Area. Your Town...Kingston Massachusetts. Unknown
-Melville, Doris Johnson. Major Bradford's Town: A History of Kingston 1726-1976. Kingston, 1976.
-Tucker, Norman P. Images of America: Kingston. South Carolina, 2001.
To view these publications or for more information regarding Kington's history, visit the Local History Room at the Kingston Public Library, 6 Green Street, Kingston, MA 02364 |