The Last Survivors of Grand Army of the Republic Post 168 with Rose Shepard in GAR Memorial Hall Town Hall Southbridge Massachusetts

The Last Survivors of Grand Army of the Republic Post 168 with Rose Shepard in GAR Memorial Hall Town Hall Southbridge Massachusetts

Item Information

Title:
The Last Survivors of Grand Army of the Republic Post 168 with Rose Shepard in GAR Memorial Hall Town Hall Southbridge Massachusetts
Description:
The last three survivors of the Grand Army of the Republic of Massachusetts Malcolm Ammidown Post, No. 168, Southbridge, with Rose Shepard clerk to the G.A.R. Pictured from left to right are: Captain William H. King, Sr. Vice Commander; Rose P. Shepard, G.A.R. clerk; Festus Faughtner, G.A.R. Commander and Isreal Leduc Jr. Vice Commander. The group is seated in the Memorial Hall in Town Hall, surrounded by three flags of the United States. In the background are many framed pictures and certificates and the five pointed star, the emblem of the organization. Commander Faughtner is in a tunic coat and has a medal pinned to the jacket and on his knee is a hat with a medallion. The other gentlemen are in civilian clothing, one with a collar-less shirt and suit, the other with a shirt and tie with a cardigan and dress pants. Mrs. Shepard is dressed in a dark mid-calf dress with a ribbon on the shoulder. She has a medal pinned on her dress. According to the minutes book the post was set up in "Boston June 21st A.D. 1844, Special order #49. A charter having been granted C.E. Lombard and others for the formation of a Post of the Grant Army of the Republic in the town of Southbridge. Department Inspector Samuel A Cushing Jr. is hereby instructed to organize said Post on Friday evening June 27th 1884 to be known as Post No. 168 Department of Mass. and to make a detailed report of his proceedings to this office without delay. C.M. O George H Romey Jr will accompany the Department Inspector and install the officers when the same have been duly elected A.L.M.G. Thomas Barker is hereby instructed to furnish all books and blans for the use of the Post 168. Signed by command of John D Billings Dept. Commander and A.C. Monroe a true copy F (Franklin) Jacobs Adjt. Post" On October 1931 the minutes book records that A meeting of Post 168 G.A.R. was held in Memorial Hall at 2.30 PM for the purpose of electing officers. Mrs. Shepard presided. Mr. Festus Faughtner was elected Commander. Mr. Israel Leduc Sr. Vice Commander and Captain William H. King Jr. Vice Commander. Commander elect Faughtner asked that Mrs. Shepard be elected clerk for the post. She was unanimously elected to serve. The comrades offered to pay her for her trouble and work, but she refused to except (stet.) pay saying she felt it was a great honor to be admitted to the post and to serve her old comrades. Commander Faughtner said she was the only woman to be taken into the post. He said they needed her as they were too old and feeble to do their own work and they wanted to carry on to the last man. Mrs. Shepard was presented with a beautiful G.A.R. sword from the post and a G.A.R. badge and she was also appointed Trustee of Memorial Hall for as long as she lived and to carry on the duties of Memorial Day so that they would not be forgotten and that their graves would be decorated. Records of the Post and Civil War book to be given to the Library at such time as Mrs. Shepard saw fit."
Name on Item:
Litchfield
Date:
December 2, 1931
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Jacob Edwards Library
Collection (local):
Photographic Collection of the Jacob Edwards Library
Subjects:
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Veterans--Societies, etc.
Grand Army of the Republic--History
Grand Army of the Republic Dept. of Massachusetts
Grand Army of the Republic--Massachusetts--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Veterans--Massachusetts
Women clerks
Places:
Massachusetts
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/fb494q11b
Terms of Use:
Rights status not evaluated.
Contact host institution for more information.
Notes:
Is part of the photographic collection of the Jacob Edwards Library, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org
Identifier:
38136000234987
the-last_survivors_of_grand_army_of_the_republic_post_168_with_rose_shepard_in_gar_memorial_hall_town_hall