Plymouth County, Massachusetts - Chapter 1: Topography - Early Records, Etc, 1884

The town of Hingham lies in tlie northern part of Plymouth County, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Massachusetts Bay and Hull ; on the east by Cuhasset ; on the south by South Scituate and Kocklaud ; on the west by Weymouth.

It ori;_'inally embraced the present town of Cohasset, whicli was set off April 2G, 1770. The town formed a part of Suffolk County until March 2G, 179o, when it was annexed to the newly-formed county of Norfolk. June 20th, of the same year, the former act was repealed so far as it related to Hiogham and Hull, and Hinjrham again became a portion of Suffolk, and remained as such until June 18, 1803, when it was annexed to Plymouth County.

Hingham was probably settled as early as 1633, and among the pioneers were Ralph Smith, Nicholas Jacob and family, Thomas Lincoln, Edmund Hobart and wife, Thomas Hobart and family, Theophilus Cushiug, Edmund Hobart, Sr., Joshua Hobart, Henry Gibbs, Thomas Chubbuck, Joseph Andrews, and others.

The following list with notes of those who either settled or received grants of lands in this town was compiled by the late Solomon Lincoln, Jr., and published in his valuable " History of the town of Hingham," which is now out of print and a scarce work :

- It muy bo remarkeU tliut this name bus been written lUtVerently, {generally, however, eitlier lluburt or Ilubbiird. Mi'. Hobart, t)io firttl minister, usually wrote it Hobart, although the reeorii of his father's death is, "father Hubbard died."

as pastor of tbe church. Mather speaks of him as ''honest Nicholas Baker, who, though he had but a private education, yet being a pious and zealous man, or, us Dr. Arrowsmitb expresses it, so good a logiuian that ho could olfer up to God a reasonable service, so good an arithiuetician that he could wisely number his days, and so good an orator that he persuaded himself to be a good Christian, and, being also one of good natural parts, especially of a strong memory, was chosen pastor of tbe church there, and in the pastoral charge of that church be continued about eighteen years." He died Aug. 22, llJTS.

' This name is written in various ways, often in our early records Hersie, sometimes Harsie, frequently Hearsey, but of lute years Hersey. It is, I believe, a name of French origin. Among the surnames of tbe noblemen and gentlemen who went over to England with William tbe Conqueror was that of Horsy.

^ A person by tbe name of Johnson formerly kept a tavern in a building situated on the spot where the dwelling-house of Mr. Beitjamin .^. Williams now ^tands. It was known by the name of tho Pine-Treo Tavern, from the circuuistanee that a very large pine-tree stood in its front. This family removed to Stoughton.

" John Otis, tho common ancestor of the distingui^lied civilians, patriots, and orators of that name in tliis country. There are branches of his family in Scituate, Itarnstalde, Uoston, and in other places. This name, in our old records, is written variously, Otis, Oates, Otties, and Oattis.

*2 John Strong removed to Taunton, fiom thence to Xorthampton. Ho was probably the ancestor of tho I'auiilies of that name in that town and vicinity.

^ Jobn Fearing catue from Caiubridgo, England. The arrival of a person by this name is dated in CushiDg'd MSS., 163S. It may be observed that, in a fow instances, according to Cushing's MSS., the persons to wbom grants of hind were made did not arrive here until after the date of their grants. This may have been the fact, but there were evidently nrnny more settlers here before 164U than are mentioned in these manu^jcripts. lie mentions but four families that cume over in 1635. Unquestionably a much larger number accompanied Mr. Hobart. It i^ po^ssible, however, that the tritling discrcpaucies in the dates of the arrival of oome of the settlers nitiy be reconciled by the supposition that there were in some instances two or more persons of the same name; indeed, wo know that four persons of the same Christian and surname (Thomas Lincoln] came into this town within a few years after its first settlement.

* " 163S, John Ueale, shoemaker, with his wife and five sons and three daughters and two servants, came from Old Hingbam and settled in New liingham." - dmAnir/'s MSS,

* Anthony Eames waa a deputy in 1637, 1638, and 1643, frequently a town officer, and involved in the military difficulties in 16-14, 1645, etc.

^ Joseph Hull, a deputy from Hingham in September, 1638, and in Mareh after. One of the commidsioners to end small causes, in the same year.

7 The t'amily tradition concerning John Leavitt is, that be was an indentured apprentice in England, and that he absconded from his master and came to this country when nineteen years of age, and settled first at Uuxbury and afterwards in Hingbam. If this tradition is correct he must have arrived in this country before the year 1628, as he died Nov. 20, 1691, aged eighty-three. He received a grant of land in this town in 1636. His homestead was in Leavitt Street (recently so named), on both sides of the river, and is now principally owned by the descendants of his sons, Israel and Josiiih. He was a deacon of the church. In his will, executed Nov. 30, 16SU, und proved Jan. 27, 1691/2, be mt'ntions his sons Samuel, Israel, Mosos, Josiub, Nebemiah, and tlie widow of his son, John ; also bis daughters, Mary, Sarah, Hannah, and Abigail. Israel had a son, John. He died July 2D, 1749. John, son of this John, died April 13, 1797, aged eighty-six. The late Mr. Jacob Leavitt was a son of this last-mentioned John. Ho died Jan. 7. 1826. He possessed good u^Ltural ubilitivs and a sound judgment. Ho was a valuable citi/.en. Ho filled many public otRces and was u zealous AVhig of the Hevolution. Mr. Joshua Leavitt, who died May 12, 1825, aged ninety-two, and who filled the office of town tiensurer for thirty years, with ao much acceptance, was a descendant of Josiah Leavitt, son of the first John, above men* tioned.

In 1638 there was a considerable increase of the number of settlers. Among them were Mr. Robert Peck, Joseph Peck,^* Edward Gilman," John Foulsham, Henry Chamberlin, Stephen Gates, George Knights, Thomas Cooper,^^ Matthew Cusliing,^** John Beal, Jr., Francis James, Philip James, James Buck, Stephen Payne,^** William Pitts, Edward Mitchell, John Sutton," Stephen Lincoln.

^ William Sprague, with his brothers Richard and Ralph, arrived at Naumkeag (Salem) in l628orI62'J. From thence they removed to Misbawum (Charlestown), and from thence William removed to Hingbam. His house-lut wod on the south side of Pleasant Street. He had several sons, - among them Anthony, William, and John. This William removed to Rhode Island. Anthony, the eldest son, bad a nuinorous family. He lived and died in a house situated near that in which Mr. Samuel Gilbert now resides, at the place called "Over the River." Josiah Sprague was one of Anthony's sons; Isa^io was one of Josiab's six sons.

>^ Kdmund Pitts, oocording to Cushing's manuscripts, came over in 163V, with bis brother, Leonard Pitts, and Adum Foulsham. His grant of land was in 1637.

19 A memorandum of a descendant of Matthew Gushing mentions the date of bis arrival at Boston, Aug. lU, lti:iS. The name of his wife was Nazareth Pitcher. Their children, whose names follow, came with them to this country, viz., Daniel, Jeremiah, Matthew, Deborah, and John. Matthew Cushing, Sr., died Sept. 3U, 1660, aged about seventy-two years. He was probably the ancestor of all of the name in this country. His son, John, removed to Soituate, where bo wod aseleclman in 1676, a deputy, and afterwards (about the year I6U0) an assi^^tant. His son and grandson were judges of the Supreme Court of this State and the latter (Hon. William Gushing) of the Supremo Court of the United States.

'^ One of the same name removed to Rehobotb. He came from Attluboro', England. One of the same name was auioug the tirst inhabitants of Conohasset, perhaps a sun of the eldest John. I

Samuel Parker, Thomas Lincoln,' Jeremiah Moore, Mr. Henry Smith,' Bozoan Alleu,^ Matthew Hawke,' William Ripley.' All of those preceding; wlio came to this country in 1638 took passaj;e in the ship " Diligent," of Ipswich, Joiin Martin, master. In addition to these the following-named persons received grants of land in the year 1()38, viz.: John Buck, John Benson, Thomas Jones,'' Thomas Lawrence, John Stephens, John Stodder,' Widow Martha Wilder, Thomas Thaxter.»

^ llozoan Allen, *' tlio very good friend" of Mr. Ilobart. tlie tirst Luiuister, came from Lynn, En^jland. Ue was often a deputy, a military oHicer, and an inHuential citizen of Hinghum. Ue was very active in the military diCficultiea in ltJ44, 1645, etc. He removed to lioaton, where be died Sept. 14, 11152, a In a brief gcnealugy of the family of William Ripley, collected by one of his descendants', it is stated that lie " accompanied Mr. llobart in the new soitlement.*' If by this it is meant that ho ejiiiio to this country with Mr. Hobart, or that he was here before 163S, I am inclined to believe the statement ib erroneous. The grant of land to William Itipley is in I63ii, and in the list of settlers prepared by Mr. Cushing there is the following memorandum: "* lOiiS. William Uipley and his wife and twu sona und two daughters came from Old Ilinghum and settled in New Hinghum." His name is by him embraced, as above stated, in the list of thu.-e who took passage in the ship *- Diligent," of Ipswich. Ue was admitted a freeman May IS, 1012. lie died in July, U>5ti. Uis two sons were John and Abraham. John married a daughter of Uov. IV-tcr llobart. John had six sons, viz., John, Joshua, Jeremiah, Josiab, Peter, and Uczckiali. Of these, John und Peter died lu this j town; Joshua removed to iladdam, Cucu. ; Jeremiah, tu Kingston, Mass.; Josiab^ to Weymouth. Uei^ekiah died in Connecticut in lliUl. Peter bad three sons, - Peter, Nebemialt, and Ezra. Nehemiah removed tu Plymouth. Peter remained in llingham. lie had two sons, - Noah and Nehemiah. Noah removed to Barre. Nehemiah remained in llingham. His wife was a daughter of Rev. Nehemiah llobart, of Cohasset.

^ Thomas Thaxter, the common uneestor of all of the name in thi^ town and vicinicy. The name of his wife was Elizabeth. Ue died in 1054, bis wife surviving him. His sons who lived to manhood were John and Samuel. John had twelve children. Ue died March, 1086/7. Uis widow was married to Daniel Curbing, Esq. Three of the daughters of John married Cuahing.". One of his sun.'* was Col. Samuel Thaxter, a magistrate, delegate to the General Court, an asaistant, and otherwise distinguii^hed in public trusts, lie had four children, - Elizabeth, John, Samuel, and Sarah. Elizabeth was married tu Capt. John Norton, sou of Rev. John Norton, and afterwards to Col. Benjauiin Lincoln, father of the late (jen. Lincoln, of the Kevulutionary army. Samuel, U. U. 1714, married Sarah Mart-hall, of Duston, and (alter her decease) Mary Hawke, diiughler of James Hawke. She survived him, and was afterwards married tu Uuv. John Hancock, of Braintrec, father of Hun. John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress. Maj. Samuel ThiiNter, the son of Samuel and Surah, H. U. 174.'!, was one

In 1639, Anthony Hilliard and John Prince received granta of land. The names of Ho wet t (Huet*) and Liford are mentioned in Hobart 's " Diary'* in that year, and in the " Diary" the following names are 6rst found in the respective years

The number of persons who came over in the ship '* Diligent," of Ipswich, in the year 1638, and settled in Hingham, was one hundred and thirty-three. All that came before were forty-two, making in all one hundred and seventy-five. The whole number that came out of Norfolk (chiefly from Hingham and its vicinity) from 1633 to 1639, and settled in this Hingham, was two hundred and six. This statL-iuent, on the authority of the third town clerk of llingham, must be reconciled with the fact that there was a mucli larger number of settlers here in 1639 than would appear from 'his estimate. They undoubtedly came in from other places. Many of the names mentioned in the previous pages are now scattered in vaof the very few who etiuiiped tbo massucre nt Fort William Honry. Maj, Tha.vter had a numerous fuinily, am>iiig whom were the late Dr. Thomas Thaxter, Dr. Giidlcy Tha.vter, of Abington, Samuel, etc. The late Capt. Duncan M. I>. T'haxter waj} a sou of Samuel. John, the eldest son of Col. Samuel Tbaxter, married Grace Stockbridge, of Pembroke. Hi." ^uii, Col. John Tbaxter, II. U. 1741, was a delegate in 1772. John Tbaxter, Esq., of Uaverbill, was a sun of Col. John Tliaxtir. Deacon Joseph Tbaxter was u brother of Col. John Tbaxter, and father of the late Rev. Joseph Tbaxter, minister ot Kdgartown and a chaplain of the army of the Revolution. David Tha.vter was the only son of the eldest Samuel who lived to manhood. He married Alice Chabbuck. He had but mie ^un, David, who died in 1791, aged eighty-tluee.

9 The following singular accuuut of the eure of <inc ot this name of a distempered imagination is extracted from the ** History of New England" (Mass. Uis. Col., new ;erie;, vol. vL p. 442):

'* 1042. One Huet's wife, of Hingbam, having been lung in a sad melancholy distemper, near to frenzy, and having furmerly, in the year 1637, attempted tu drown her child, did novv again take her child of three years old, aud stri|<piiig it of u> clothes, threw it into the creek, but it, scrambling uut of the waiter und mud, came to the muthcr, who look It another liuie and threw it so far into the creek that it could not po^.-'ibly get uui ; yet by good providence a young man that aeeidcnt;iliy pa^icd by took it up. The mother conceived she bad sinned the .-in against the Holy Ghost. She was uflerwurda proceeded witli by church council, and by that means \vus drawn oil from tbo.-e Satanic delusions, and, alter the miinifeslations ol' repcnt:incc, was received into the chureli again, being brought tu a sound mind."

Simon Burr, the tirst of the name uf Burr in this i<<un. came from Dorchester, und wan related tu Itev. Jonatbim iWiri, an early minister in that town.

rious parta of the country. Many of the first settlors removed to other places during the militia difficulties which occurred within a few years after the settlement of the towu, and a considerable number had previously obtained lands at Rehoboth.'

Incorporation of the Town. - The town of Hingham was incorporated Sept. 2, 1635, and named from Hingham, in Norfolk, England, from whence the minister ;ind most of the settlers had emigrated. The first town-meeting was held in 1635, and the first representatives chosen from this town were Joseph Andrews and Nicholas Baker.' Joseph Andrews was also the first town clerk, chosen in 1638.

In 1635 Hingham was assessed £6; Weymouth, £4; Boston, £25 10s.; Salem, £16; and Newton and Dorchester, each £26 5». In August of the following year, however, the assessment for Hingham was raised to £8 10s.

In those early days a fine was imposed for nonattendance at town-meetings, and the arm of the law was also raised against him who should depart from the meeting " until the assembly be broken up or without leave." This order was passed by a vote of the town May 14, 1637, and was as follows:

" It '\* likfwise agreed upon by a joint consent and general vote of the freemen tliat whosoever :ihull absent himself from any meeting appointed, and shall have lawful warning of it, or shall otherwise come to the knowledge of the same meeting within special occasions approved of by the assembly or the miijor part of tho tVoeitieii then assembled; and further, it is likewise agreed upon that when assembled and be come together to agitate and determine of any business concerning the common good of Church or Commonwealth, not one shall depart until the assembly be broken up or without leave, upon tho payment of every such defect, one pei/c u/ Indian cum, as well for the not sLiying with the assembly being there assembled as for the not coming, having lawful warning or otherwise [having] knowledge of it. And likewise it is agreed upon, that every such line or tines shall be levied by the constable, and shall be carefully kept to the use of the town as hereafter shall be thought lit to eiupluy ii, and from the day of the date hereof it shall stand in force, unless it be found to be prejudicial and repealed."

Among the towns of which a considerable number of io- ' habitants originated in Hingham are Rehoboth, Wareham, | Cummiugtoo, Donnysville, and Perry (Maine). A few removed ! Io Swansea, Duxbury, Scituate, Barnstable, Lancaster, etc., and a large number to Boston.

The lulluwing names appear in Lancaster in 1654, viz.; Stephen Gates, Sr., James Whiting or Witton, John Towers, and Thomas Joslin. Persons of tho same names had previously received grants of land iu Hingham, and actually settled liere. The Peeks, of Rehoboth; Fearings, of Wareham; Clapps and Otisea, of Seituate; Oimocks and Otises, of Barnstable; Lineolns, of Taunton, New Uedford, Dennysville, and Perry, M«., etc., originated here.

''It is ordered and agreed upon by a joint consent, that the prices of laborers' wages and commodities within this town should be atlixed &a follows: Upon every commodity as well ix6 upon laborers' wages should be abated three pence upon the ihlliiuj of what has been formerly taken.

"In 1643, June 12, Anthony Eames, Samuel Ward, and Bozoan Allen had leave from the town to set up a corn-mill near the cove, on the condition that they paid any damage caused by flowago, &c. This mill was undoubtedly erected before the year 1G45, as we find recorded in November of that year, that Gowan Wilson was removed by the town from the office of miller."

" It appears," says Mr. Lincoln, " that at an early date, there was a controversy respecting a portion of the lands embraced within the limits of Nantasket or Nantascot. The inhabitants of Hingham claimed, and endeavored to maintain a title to them, as iu July, 1643, we find the following record, viz. : ' There is chosen by the town, Joseph Peck, Bozoan Allen, Anthony Eames, and Joshua Hubbard to go to the next court to make the best improvements of the evidence the town have tor the property of Nantascot, and to answer the suit that now depends, &c.' " It appears, however, that Hingham wa-s unsuccessful in this controversy. The following peremptory decision was under date September, 1643: " The former grant to Nantascot was again voted and confirm.ed, and Hingham was willing to forbear troubling the court any more about Nantascot."