The book's first half is extensively annotated, drawing upon original documents to establish the history of the town. Chapters discuss the causes of emigrating and the early patents, merchant adventurers, Quakers, Indians, town government and freemen, customs and town acts against Tories. The second half of the book contains biographies and family histories. Surnames include Bailey, Barker, Barstow, Clapp (Clap), Cudworth, Cushing, Damon, Hatherly, Otis, Peirce, Saffin, Stockbridge, Tilden, Torrey, Turner, Vinal and Williams. Chapters include: Causes of Emigrating-Early Patents, Merchant Adventurers, Incorporation of Town, Controversey Over Town Lines, Conihasset, Division of State and Church, Quakers in Scituate, Town Government and Freemen, The Indians, Customs Previous to the Revolution, Town Acts Against Tories, and Biographical Sketches. Numerous illustrations and a full-name index add to the value of this work.