Since its incorporation, the Town of Wareham has been governed by town meeting. Did you know that the first town meeting was held on August 6, 1739 and was called and conducted by Edward Bumpus? Citizens of the Town were notified by a warrant that was posted on the meetinghouse door. The warrant read that the purpose was to “Know the Town’s mind” and to “make choice of a town clerk, and all other town officers, and to do whatever other business may properly come before the meeting.”

The citizens at the first Town Meeting voted Edward Bumpus as the Moderator, Jonathan Hunter as Town Clerk, and Jirah Swift, Jeremiah Bumpus and Jonathan Hunter as the first Board of Selectmen. The Town Treasurer, Constables, Highway Surveyors, Tithingman and Fence Viewers were also appointed at that meeting.

It was believed to be held at the first meetinghouse/church which was built in 1735 and stood on the corner lot of Center Park. A few farmers began building the meeting house in 1735 as a place of worship. The project was a slow one, and in 1739, after the incorporation, the town took it over and finished the building which was then used as a church and a place for town meeting. Three years later the town finally bought the land that the meeting house stood on from Isaac Bump, the miller.