On Sunday, Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. at the Gazebo in Shipyard Park Seth Mendell will detail the life and achievements of one of Mattapoisett's most prominent individuals: Joseph Meigs.

Born in 1776, Meigs became a master carpenter in the shipyards at the turn of the 19th century, and invested in land on the waterfront.

He established a tavern, now the Inn at Shipyard Park, and his own shipyard.

Interested in law and politics, Meigs earned a law degree and became a circuit judge for the Great and General Court of Plymouth.

Later he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Represenatives and then the State Senate.