The creation of an official Seal for the Town of Kingston was authorized by Town Meeting vote on March 18, 1950. On August 8, 1950, The Board of Selectmen formally approved the Seal itself. The Seal was designed and drawn by Helen Foster, a native of Kingston, and a direct descendent of Francis Cook, who came over on the Mayflower. Its design was based on the early shipbuilding industry, which flourished along the banks of the Jones River in Kingston. Ms. Foster, one of the first recognized female commercial artists in Boston, illustrated the design with the Brig Independence, built in Kingston. The Brig’s anchors were forged at the New Forge on the Forge Pond privilege off the Jones River. The Brig is encircled within a rope formed at the Cordage Company in North Plymouth. The anchor, which is part of the Seal design, is representative of the smelting of abundant, native iron ore found along the bogs of the Jones River and its tributaries. Mills and foundries developed as early industries in Kingston. Iron ore was processed into tacks, nails, augers, stives, shovels, spades and anchors. Kingston anchors were know far and wide. In fact, when the Independence was rebuilt during the War of 1812, the anchors were remade at the New Forge. The largest of the three anchors produced weighed 9,300 lbs. The Town Seal appears on all official documents as well as on the official Town Flag. |