Troop 109
Founders of Scouting
Hassanamisco District

Troop 109 History

In 1921, Gordon Hurd, son of Dr. Albert G. Hurd, began to organize what was to become the first Boy Scout Troop in the town of Millbury. With the help of Weldon Glover, who acted as the first unofficial Scoutmaster, a group of boys and men started a venture that they never quite imagined would lead to what we know as Troop 109 today.

On March 27, 1922 the Boy Scouts of America issued a formal charter to Troop 1 of Millbury, Massachusetts. On this charter, the sponsoring institution is listed as the March Bible Class of the First Congregational Church. Rev. Ernest Morrill is registered as Scoutmaster. This was the beginning of what was to develop into over 75 years of continuous service in this community.

The early meetings were held in the church vestry of the First Congregational Church and from the beginning the unit began to prosper·by 1923, 18 boys were registered. Also in 1923, the second year of the Troop's formal existence, records indicate that 75% of the Troop spent an average of 61/2 days in a "Scout camp conducted by the Worcester Council." To give some idea of the economic conditions of the times, the cost was $0.71 per day, to attend camp. The sponsoring institution provided $6.00 a year to the Troop. At the next year's Charter review the question was raised as to why more boys did not have uniforms. The reply from the Scoutmaster was, "I have not strongly urged uniforms because I have not been able to afford one myself."

In 1926 Council changed it's Troop numbering system and Troop 1 of Millbury was reassigned a new number and became known as Troop 109, a symbol which has stood with pride for over eight decades. After meeting for several years in the First Congregational Church in Bramanville, the unit moved to several different places within the old Town Hall. For two years, it's meeting place was the old High School located in the building now occupied by the Millbury Youth Center. From 1928 to 1938, the First Congregational Church, Millbury Federated Church, and Millbury Baptist Church sponsored Troop 109. From 1938 to 1947, the Congregational Church and Federated Churches continued to share the responsibility as sponsors. Then in 1947, the Men's Brotherhood of the Federated Church became our sole sponsor.

Today, as it has for many years, the Troop holds its meetings in the downstairs of the Federated Church, known to most as the "Scout Hall."

In 1931 Robert White became the first boy in this unit to attain the high honor of the Eagle Scout Rank. There are currently 92 Eagle Scouts from Troop 109. The five Lowe brothers hold the Mohegan Council record for the most boys from one family to become Eagle Scouts. Several of our Eagle Scouts, over the past 75 years were selected to represent the Mohegan Council as nominees for "Scout of the Year." In the 1960's, Peter Kotilainen was chosen as the National Scout of the Year. He had the honor of presenting, to President John F. Kennedy, the Scout Report to the Nation. In 1987 Richard S. Cole became the first Eagle Scout of Troop 109 not residing in the town of Millbury, as of our 75th Anniversary he also holds the Troop record for most Merit Badges earned, with 43. Scouts have also distinguished themselves by continuing the traditions and spirit of scouting through Troop 109 in many ways. Eagle Scout Ronald Hicks helped by incorporating the Troop's motto "TROOP 109, MOHEGAN'S FINEST" into a neckerchief slide that has been worn with pride by many members of the Troop. He also carried this spirit of scouting further by designing the Pachachaug Lodge 525 pocket flap, that all members of Mohegan's Order of the Arrow Lodge wear on their uniform to this day.

The 30's and 40's saw the usual "ups and downs" associated with any organization of this type. However, during the 75 years of this organization, one of its real strengths has been the tremendous amount of adult participation and dedicated leadership, having only 19 Scoutmasters and 18 Troop Committee Chairmen. Many individuals have helped to keep this Troop strong and growing. It is difficult however, to list the names of every person who has assisted, but we must recognize the valuable contributions of Mr. Arthur S. Lowell who became Scoutmaster of Troop 109 in 1956 and served the longest consecutive term until the spring of 1971.

In 1961, the mothers, who had always played a very important but unofficial role in the Troop, organized what was to became the Mother's Auxiliary of Troop 109, and the help and guidance they have given has been outstanding.

Troop 109 has a long tradition of being on the forefront of community service. Its activities have ranged from helping to find lost children, to delivering town reports, to more than 500 hours of hard labor in salvaging records from the Town Hall disaster. For the past several years we have conducted a monthly "Can Drive." This provides a recycling opportunity for the community and at the same time provides funds for the Troop activities. It would take pages and pages alone to list the activities of the Troop in the area of service. It is interesting to note that on many occasions the boys of Troop 109 have worked hardest at helping others, showing a real understanding of brotherhood.

In addition to local camping trips, Scouts from Troop 109 have had the opportunity to travel to National and International Jamborees. In July of 1987 the Troop traveled to France, touring Paris and camping for two weeks in western France with a group of French Scouts. Over the years, some scouts have attended the Philmont Scout Reservation located in Cimmaron, New Mexico. The trip includes a 30-day cross-country tour of 20 states and a Canadian province, along with a minimum 50-mile hike through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at the Scout Reservation.

During our history, Troop 109 has adopted the motto of which we are proud, "TROOP 109, MOHEGAN'S FINEST." This motto should be considered a challenge for years to come. Current and future scouts and leaders of 109, may you continue to use this motto proudly.

Founders of Scouting and the BSA

Baden-Powell

Robert S. S. Baden-Powell
As a youth, Robert Baden-Powell greatly enjoyed the outdoors, learning about nature and how to live in the wilderness. After returning as a military hero from service in Africa, Baden-Powell discovered that English boys were reading the manual on stalking and survival in the wilderness he had written for his military regiment. Gathering ideas from Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter Beard, and others, he rewrote the manual as a nonmilitary nature skill book and called it Scouting for Boys. To test his ideas, Baden-Powell brought together 22 boys to camp at Brownsea Island, off the coast of England . This historic campout was a success and resulted in the advent of Scouting. Thus, the imagination and inspiration of Baden-Powell, later proclaimed Chief Scout of the World, brought Scouting to youth the world over.

Seton

Ernest Thompson Seton
Born in Scotland, Ernest Thompson Seton immigrated to America as a youth in the 1880s. His fascination with the wilderness led him to become a naturalist, an artist, and an author, and through his works he influenced both youth and adults. Seton established a youth organization called the Woodcraft Indians, and his background of outdoor skills and interest in youth made him a logical choice for the position of first Chief Scout of the BSA in 1910. His many volumes of Scoutcraft became an integral part of Scouting, and his intelligence and enthusiasm helped turn an idea into reality.

Beard

Daniel Carter Beard
Woodsman, illustrator, and naturalist, Daniel Carter Beard was a pioneering spirit of the Boy Scouts of America. Already 60 years old when the Boy Scouts of America was formed, he became a founder and merged it with his own boys' organization, the Sons of Daniel Boone. As the first national Scout commissioner, Beard helped design the original Scout uniform and introduced the elements of the First Class Scout badge. "Uncle Dan," as he was known to boys and leaders, will be remembered as a colorful figure dressed in buckskin who helped form Scouting in the United States.

William D. Boyce
In 1909, Chicago publisher William D. Boyce lost his way in a dense London fog. A boy came to his aid and, after guiding the man, refused a tip, explaining that as a Scout he would not take a tip for doing a Good Turn. This gesture by an unknown Scout inspired a meeting with Robert Baden-Powell, the British founder of the Boy Scouts. As a result, William Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910 . He also created the Lone Scouts, which merged with the Boy Scouts of America in 1924.

James E. West
James E. West was appointed the first Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America in 1911. Although orphaned and physically handicapped, he had the perseverance to graduate from law school and become a successful attorney. This same determination provided the impetus to help build Scouting into the largest and most effective youth organization in the world. When he retired in 1943, Dr. West was recognized throughout the country as the true architect of the Boy Scouts of America.

Hassanamisco District Name History

April 10, 1975

John Eliot, born in England in 1604, was one of the first white men to venture into this area. He had the ambition to educate and Christianize all the Indian tribes in New England. One of his churches was to be established at Hassanamisco in 1671. One of the chief assistants in translating the Bible into the Indian tongue, was a young Nipmunk, born at Hassanamisco. Eliot's Indian followers were called "Praying Indians". A few of the last survivors (13 in all) were buried in a little plot of ground just east of the Blackstone River in Grafton.

This four and one-half acre Indian Reservation, known as Hassanamisco or Hassanamesit is located on Brigham Hill Road in Grafton. This land has never been owned by white man, having been set aside in 1728 as an Indian Reservation by the forty proprietors who purchased the praying Indian town of Hassanamesit, now Grafton.

Because Hassanamisco was the old Indian name for this area, I think it would be a good name for the new district.

Steven Pierce • Millbury, MA

On April 16, 1975 the New District Nominating Committee reviewed the names submitted for the new district name. At that time this committee was very impressed with the above history and we certainly agree with this choice.

Origin of the Turtle Totem of the Hassanamisco District

After the adoption of our district name, it was learned that the turtle was the totem for these American Indians. In honor of these first residents of the area, Hassanamisco District likewise adopted the turtle as its totem.

It is a fitting totem. Just as the turtle has survived since prehistoric times, Scouting in Hassanamisco District continues; not only to survive, but to flourish. As in the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare, we rely on steady progress. With our eye on the goal, each year we come closer to the prize: the best possible Scouting for every young person who wants to join.