|
|
About The Farm The home of Esther Griffin, #300 Plymouth Street, is documented as having been built in 1761 and was owned by the Chamberlain Family. An old map dated 1879 shows the presence of this home and the old barn located at #326 Plymouth Street. This is one of the few documents showing structures in Abington during that time. It is believed that the original farm consisted of 28 acres and a post and beam constructed barn. This farm may well have existed after 1761 but there are no historic documents to support any claims. Historical notes reflect that in 1779 Ezekiel Reed (Whitman) made an important improvement in the manufacturing of cut nails and tacks that increased the production of cut nails and tacks from one person producing 1000 per day to 8,000. This increased the availability and lowered the price of nails for the construction of various buildings in town and a change in the post and beam construction that utilized wooden pegs as nails. In 1925 the original 28 acre farm, then owned by Charlotte Dearing of Hingham, was sold to Lawrence and Annie Griffin. Since 1925 the Griffin's purchased abutting properties to build the present day 64 acres of agricultural land that lies partly in the towns of Abington and Rockland. Gone are the days of Holstein cows bellowing in the fields. Silent are the sounds of clinking glass bottles of fresh milk heading to home, school or store. Gone are the days of the Abington dairy farmer as we watch a way of life fade into extinction. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 4 weeks a month, 12 months a year. The days of a dairy farmer are known for its dedication to the herd and to the farm. When was the last time you heard of a cow taking a vacation? It is a way of life that here in the 21st Century we are witnessing its extinction. The land itself is relatively flat and has a gentle north to south slope of less than 3%. Topography ranges from 104 feet above sea level at the southeastern portion of the land to 113 feet above sea level on the northern portion near Pattison Street. The soil, used primarily as grazing land over many years, is rich in organic materials. The USDA Soil Survey currently lists the dominate soils as AuA/Au Gres and ScA/Scarboro soils. Both soils are associated with wetlands. Seasonal springs and seeps can be found in many areas and the vegetation is comprised mainly of facultative wetlands species when the land is not mowed. On the eastern edge of the dairy, within the land contained in Rockland, lies French's Stream. Its point of origin starts in Weymouth within the land formerly known as the South Weymouth Naval Air Station. Thru the center of the dairy, within Abington, lies an unnamed stream that has its point of origin to the north and east of Monroe Street. This area is supported by an area of upgradient wetlands that appears on the Federal National Wetlands Inventory map as well as DEP Wetlands Inventory maps. The stream may be classified as intermittent and at some point within its course of flow to meet French's Stream changes to a perennial stream. There has been no hydrological studies of this area to assess this stream. In 1998 the Town of Abington exercised its "Right of First Refusal" to purchase this 64 acre parcel that was taxed under the provisions of Chapter 61A (Agricultural) land. The original Purchase and Sales Agreement was with the McSharry Brothers Construction Company for the sum of $750,000.00 and the intentions were to construct condominiums on the old dairy. In 1998 the Town of Abington past three (3) Town Meeting Articles. 1. Shall the Town of Abington exercise its right of first refusal on 64 acres of agricultural land. 2. Shall the Town of Abington authorize the expenditure of $750,000.00 to purchase 64 acres of land known as Griffin's Dairy. 3. To authorize the Selectmen to seek grants and/or funds and to establish a study committee to study the best use of the property. In 1998 the Griffin's Dairy Study Committee was created to study the best use of the land known as Griffin's Dairy. This Committee would meet for the next 5 years and in April 2004 they would present to the Board of Selectmen its final recommendations. "We recommend that a group called the Trustees of Griffin's Park be set up to oversee the property" April 2004 The Abington Board of Selectmen have not taken any action on this recommendation. |
|