PRESS RELEASE

On September 20, 2003 at 1 PM the Rockland Historical Commission and

the Deborah Sampson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will be celebrating the rededication of the Dr. David Jones DAR plaque. The plaque was originally placed at the historic Market Street home of Dr. Jones in 1912 by the John Pulling Chapter of the DAR: it was subsequently “missing” following the razing of the Jones homestead, and was only rediscovered recently in one of Rockland’s public schools. The rededication ceremony will take place at the 1745 House on Goddard Ave. in Rockland.

The plaque recognizes the service of Dr. David Jones, the first accredited physician to serve historic Abington (which at the time included Whitman and Rockland). Jones studied medicine in Boston and trained with Dr. Joseph Warren, one of the most prominent surgeons in the city and also a leader in the American Revolutionary movement and a General in the army. With Dr. Jones alongside, Dr. Warren was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill while serving as a surgeon. While serving Abington, Dr. Jones is also credited with introducing smallpox inoculations to the residents for the first time.

The rededication ceremony will take place in front of the 1745 House, Rockland’s oldest structure which originally stood within a couple of blocks of the Jones homestead on Market Street. This event will also serve to highlight the historical heritage of Rockland and the efforts of the Rockland Historical Commission, which is trying to restore the 1745 House and preserve as a historical resource and museum for the Town. The structure is a modest farmhouse originally built by Samuel Greene in 1745 on a 19 acre tract near Studley Pond. The structure was typical of homesteads at the time: Cape style with a center fireplace stack. The house was moved a short distance in 1818 and renumbered 94 Market Street, where it stood until 1971 when the townspeople of Rockland joined forces and relocated it near the Rockland High School to avoid demolition.

Speaking at the Ceremony will be: Peter Dow (Chairman of the Rockland Historical Commission); Margaret Alexander (Town Historian of East Bridgewater and direct descendant of Samuel Greene); Dorothy Taylor (past DAR Chapter Regent); Deborah Cormier (DAR Chapter Regent); and Jane Gadaire (DAR Chapter Vice Regent). A reception at the GAR Hall (34 School St) will be held following the ceremony.

Please call Peter Dow for more details and information:

Home: 781-871-5582

Work: 617-228-8780

Email: pdow@independence.com