The firm traces its roots back to the days of the China Trade when merchants left their financial affairs in the hands of trusted fiduciaries as they sought their fortunes around the world. These fiduciaries were fully responsible for the management of property while the merchant was away and expected to be accountable when the merchant returned. These notions of responsibility and accountability continue to be the guiding principles of our trust relationships today.

             Our history began when Nathaniel Bowditch took on his first Trust accounts in 1817. In addition to acting as a private trustee, Mr. Bowditch authored The American Practical Navigator and founded an insurance company that became The Massachusetts Company. He embodied the ideals of service to the community and careful stewardship of the assets entrusted to him that inspire our efforts today.

             Nathaniel Bowditch was succeeded by his son Jonathan Bowditch and his grandson Alfred Bowditch before the office was taken into the modern era by Alfred's son-in-law, Augustus P. Loring, Jr. who associated the office with the Loring & Coolidge law firm. Augustus P. Loring was the pre-eminent probate attorney of his day. In 1893 he wrote the Trustees Handbook, which has gone through several editions and is still in general use among Trustees and as a law school textbook.

             Members of the Loring and Coolidge families continue to be associated with our office. The current principals include Mr. Loring's great-grandson and Mr. Coolidge's grandson who maintain the continuity of the firm's service to our clients. In addition, they carry on the tradition of service to the community by serving on the boards of various businesses, organizations and charities.

             The firm continues to adapt to the changing needs of its clients. Amy Domini, a prominent figure in the socially responsible investing movement, now leads a group of trustees who serve clients who have strong ethical concerns about their investments. Ms. Domini is an author and lecturer on socially responsible investing. She is also a founder of KLD Research & Analytics, Inc., a firm providing socially responsible investing research and Domini Social Investments, which manages mutual funds that provide fixed income, domestic equity and foreign equity investment vehicles for socially responsible investors.

             Today the firm operates as an independent trust office, but many lawyers find that utilizing our services is an attractive way to offer their clients the specialized trust services offered by some of the larger law firms. Financial planning professionals are also realizing that we offer their clients an attractive alternative to the typical bank trust department. As we prepare for the future, we are guided by the principles of the past. We remain committed to our clients and our community. Above all, we are inspired by our founder, Nathaniel Bowditch, to be "practical navigators" of our clients' fortunes.