By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Sir Robert Walpole made a special appearance at the Walpole Public Library (WPL). Portrayed by local historian and historic interpreter Michael Lepage, along with his colleague Matthew Mees, Walpole detailed who exactly he was and why the town of Walpole was named after him.
He started his life story right at the beginning, stating that he was born in 1676 as the third child out of nineteen siblings. He realized from a young age that with so many siblings, he was not going to inherit much and thus went into politics. When the time came, he attended both Eton and King's College, and later married his love Catherine in which they had six children together.
As time went on, Sir Robert Walpole gained much popularity and trust within British rule. The WPL website went on to state, “In 1724, this country squire and civil servant [Sir Robert Walpole] was more powerful than the King. His control of the House of Commons set Great Britain’s economic and foreign policy for twenty years. He was the first ‘Prime Minister.’ As Whigs and Tories fought never ending battles over who would rule, Walpole tried to keep the peace at home and in Europe, while making profit for the nation.”
Wanting and being able to keep the peace was one of Walpole’s greatest traits. As tensions began to rise in Massachusetts during the 1720s, Royal Governor Samuel Shute made it a point to make his way over to see King George I. When there, Shute told them that he believed Massachusetts did not need to be under British rule anymore, which ultimately struck a nerve.
Sir Robert Walpole quickly stepped in and calmed everyone’s nerves when it came to this matter. It was because of Walpole’s actions that Britain did not revoke the charter of Massachusetts Bay Province and thus saved the state.
This act resonated deeply with the folks of Dedham. “Robert Walpole’s allowance,” Mees stated, “to that sort of autonomy boated well for those living near the old sawmills in southern Dedham. After two rejections by the town of Dedham, and much debate in the general court of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in Boston, it came to pass on December 10th, 1724 that the town of Walpole was born. It was announced in Boston on September 28th, 1724.”
Together with Sir Robert Walpole himself, attendees read aloud an excerpt from the Act of December 1724 Incorporating Walpole, “Whereas the South Part of the Town of Dedham … Settled with inhabitants who labor under great difficulties by their remoteness from their place of public worship … Be it resolved … that the Southerly Part of the said Town of Dedham Be and hereby is set off and constituted a separate Township by the name of Walpole.”
Towards the end of his presentation, Walpole thanked the good townspeople for this incredible honor and exclaimed that he would keep the taxes as low as possible for as long as he was around. Audience members were then encouraged to ask questions and give any comments.
This incredible and highly populated event was sponsored by the Friends of the Walpole Library and was in honor of Walpole’s 300th Anniversary this year. For more information about upcoming events like these happening at the WPL, please visit their website at www.walpolelibrary.org.
