Plymouth County, Massachusetts - Chapter 5 (3 of 3 so headed), 1884

Chapter 5

Old Culuny Lodge, F. and A. M. - Hingham Mutuul Fire Insurance Com|iuny - llingbam lustitutiun for Savin;;^ - Tlie Agriculiural und Horticultural Society - Ucpreaentutivea from 16:i(i lo 1.S34 - Tlic Press - Educutioii;il - The Derby Acudcmy - Tlic Ilingbain Public Library.

Old Colony Lodge, F. and A. M. - This is one of the oldest Masonic bodies in the commonwealth. It was ciiartered Dec. 10, 1792, and was originally located at Hanover. The charter members were as follows : John Young, James Lewis, David Jacobs, Jr., Adams Bailey, Charles Turner, Jr., William Curtis, Jr., George Little.

The lodge first met Deo. 24, 1792, at the house of Athcrton Wales, an innkeeper, in Hanover. As the weather was bad they agreed among themselves to meet at the same place on Thursday, Dec. 27, 1792, at four o'clock P.M., also to notify members not ]iiesent. At which time and place they did meet, and proceeded to the choice of officers. The following were elected : John Young, W. M.; William Curtis, Jr , S. W. ; George Little, J. W.

In 1807 the lodge was removed to Hingham. lu 1832, owing to the lack of interest manifested among its members and the unfavorable condition of the lodge, it was thought advisable to return the charter to the grand lodge.

Oct. 21, 1851. At a meeting of Freemasons held at the Union House, Hingham, a number of the brethren being present, it was voted to petition for the return of the charter, and agreeably to said petition, on Dec. 10, 1851, the said charter, with all its original powers and privileges, was restored to the following brothers: Joseph Richardson, Moses Whiton, Bela Whiten, Royal Whiton, John Bassett, Jr., Rufus Lane, Benjamin I. Studly, James Gardner, James S. Lewis, Marshal Lincoln, Daniel Burr, Micajuh Malbon. Fearing Loriog. The lodge first met in Hingham Dec. 11, 1807. The first three officers in 1792 were John Young, W. M. ; William Curtis, Jr., S. W. ; George Little, J. W. The following is a list of Masters from 1792 to 1885: 1792, John Young; 1793 -90, Charles Turner, Jr. ; 179G-1S00. Benjamin Whitman. After this time they were elected once a year. 1801, Charles Turner, Jr. ; 1802-3, Benjamin Whitman; 1804-6, Charles Turner; 1807-18, Jotham Lincoln, Jr. ; 1819-20, Caleb Bates; 1821, Jotham Lincoln ; 1822-23, Marshal Lincoln ; 1824-20, Fearing Loring; 1827-29, Charles Fearing; 1830-31, Charles Gill ; (Charter returned in 1832, as previously stated) ; 1851-54, Marshal Lincoln ; 1855-50, Bela Whiton; 1857. Bela Lincoln; 1858-59, Enos Loring; 18G0, Warren A. Hersey ; 1801-02, Edwin Wilder (2d); 18G3-C5, E. Waters Burr; 1800-08, Charles N. Marsh; 1809, none elected; 1870-71, Henry Stephenson ; 1872, Jason W. Whitney ; 1S73 -75, Charles W. S. Seymour; 187G-78, Charles T. Burr; 1879-80, John M. Trussell ; 1881-82, Stetson Foster; 1883, A. Willis Lincoln, present incumbent. At the present time the first three officers of the lodge are A. Willis Lincoln, W. M.; Arthur L. Whiton, S. W. ; E. Bradley Loring, J. W. The

From Old Colony originated Koiiohassett Lodge, i of Coliassett, with Phoenix Lodge of Hanover. Old , Colony is now in a flourishing condition, and is rapidly increasing in membership. ;

Hingham Mutual Fire Insurance Company was ' incorporated March 4, 1826, with the following offi- ] cers : Jotham Lincoln, president; David Harding, secretary ; and David Whiton, treasurer.

Liauili'I'Ies

The company has never paid a less dividend than sixty-tive per cent, of the premium, and at one time a dividend of one hundred and nine per cent., or nine per cent, more than the original premium, was returned the assured.

The present directors are as follows : Amos Bates, Euos Loring, Eliel Bates, Arthur Lincoln, Demerick Marble, Alonzo Gushing, Henry C. Harding, William Fearing (2J), all of Hingliam, and Rufus P. Kingman, of Brockton, and Ebenezer T. Fogg, of South Scituate.

Hingham Institution for Savings was incorporated April 2, 1834. The charter was granted to David Whiton, Henry Nye, Luther J. Barnes, their associates and successors. The pi:tuiuiitis were David Whiton, Henry Nye, Luther J. Barnes, Daniel Bassett, Ebenezer Gay, Benjamin Thomas, Francis G. Ford, llufus Lane, Seth S. Hersey, Caleb Gill, Jr., David Harding, Barnabas Lincoln, Rufus W. Lincoln, David Lincoln, Royal Whiton, Charles Lane, Edward Thaxter, Thomas Thaxter, F. A. Ford, Caleb Bates.

The first board of investment consisted of David Whiton (president), David Harding (treasurer), Edward Thaxter, Charles Lane, and Marshal Lincoln.

The present board consists of Daniel Bassett (])resident), Joseph Sprague, Elijah Shule, and Edmund Hersey, 2d. The first deposit made Dec. 24, 1834. Amount of deposits (July 1, 1884), $1,754,766.00. The Hingham Agricultural and Horticultural Society. - It was at first an unincorporated association. In 1858 a common enthusiasm drew together a number of gentlemen interested in the cultivation of the farm and the garden. October 1st and 2d some twenty of them met at the old town house, opposite the Conureirational Church. James S. Lewis called thuiu to order, Charles W. Gushing was chairman, and lOJmund Hersey, secretary. Fearing Burr proposed the formation of an agricultural and horticultural suciuty, and afterwards prepared, and, at the next meeting, October 27th, presented by-laws, which weie then adopted. November 10th a permanent organization was effected, - President, Albert Fearing; Vice-Pre.-.idents, Solomon Lincoln, David Whiton, and Charles W. Gushing; Recording Secretary, Edmund Hersey ;

From that onward monthly meetings were held. To interest all sections of the town they were held once each at Oasis Hall, at Broad Bridge; at Wilder Hall, South Hingham ; and at Liberty Hall, on Liberty Plain ; but oftener at the town hall, until a little later, when a permanent resting-place was found in the armory, now a school-house, at the Centre. This was used till the erection of the present agricultural hall. The aged minister of the First Parish, Joseph Richardson, and others, gave books. Citizens of other towus became members. The scope of the society embraced the science and practice of agriculture and horticulture, the improvement of animals, grain, fruit, and vegetables, and also of the streets, sidewalks, and public squares. It had no narrow purpose, but was really a village or county improvement society in its best and largest sense.

The interest rose high at the first annual exhibitiou, Sept. 28 and 29, 1859. It shows the increase of values since the war, that the price of admission was ten cents, with no charge for children under twelve years of age. The animals were exhibited on an open lot in Hingham Centre, opposite the house of Moses Whiton ; while the butter, cheese, bread, vegetables, manufactures, fancy articles, etc., were shown in the town hall. The attendance was large, the enthusiasm great, and the success complete. On the evening of the first day, President Fearing gave an entertainment at his house. On the morning of the second, a team of fifty yoke of oxen - an unusual sight nowadays - was driven up Main Street, under the direction of Charles W. Cushing, drawing four groups of young ladies representing the seasons. On the same day the first of the now historic agricultural dinners was spread in a mammoth Yale tent upon the common. Some six hundred guests were marshaled in an imposing procession. Capt. Alfred C. Hersey was chief marshal. The full Boston Brigade baud played inspiring airs. The escort consisted of the survivors of the old rifle company under Capt. John K. Corbett, and of the Lincoln Light Infantry, full of youth and fire, so soon to become historic by its response to Governor Andrew's first call to the front in 1861, and then commanded by Capt. Hawkes Fearing. The march was to Fountain Square and back to the tent. Rev. Calvin Lincoln asked grace. Speeclies were made by ex-Lieulenant-Governor Simon Brown, Charles G. Davis, president of the Plymouth County Agricultural Society, and the following clergymen: Calvin Lincoln, Joseph Richardson, Jonathan Tilson, Chandler Robbins, and John L. Russell; another, E. Porter Dyer, read a poem. Responses were also made by the two military captains, and by Chief Marshal Hersey, James S. Lewis, and Luther Stephenson. A great concert in the tent in the evening crowned the success of the day. The financial results of this fair were: receipts, $348.13 ; expen.ses, $63.21; balance for the society, $284.92. Not only were the ceremonies of the day attractive, but the exhibition was deserving, the exhibits numerous and excellent, and the reports of the committees on various departments show great enterprise and merit on the part alike of judges and exhibitors. The show of stock was large and admirable in its quality. The report on ornamental trees is worthy of the present interest in that subject. Indeed, it would be invidious to attempt to specify any and not mention all of the departments of this first exhibition.

In the spring of 1860 a contract was made with Moses Whiton for some three acres of land for a term of years. It was fenced and furnished with pens, etc., for the society's use. The second exhibition occurred September 26th and 27th of that year. The number at dinner was still larger than before. Among the speakers, the historian says, was "John A. Andrew, Esq.," then unknown to fame, and that " Mr. Andrew spoke well for one little conversant with agriculture." A year later his voice was ringing the harvest-song of freedom to the nation.

These early years of the society were full of zeal, life, and promise. The membership rapidly enlarged, till, in November, 1864, the society was incorporated under the general laws. Steps were then taken to purchase grounds and build a hall, Mr. Fearing oti'ering to give five thousand dollars if the society would raise ten thousand dollars. More than this was obtained. In March, 1867, a special charter was granted by the Legislature, of which Mr. DcWitt C. Bates was then the member from Hingham, authorizing the society to hold real and personal estate and to receive the bounty of the State. Under this act the society is now organized. The present grounds, on the corner of East and Leavitt Streets, were bought, containing about sixteen acres, and this hall was erected, the corner-stone having been laid July 1, 1SG7. It was dedicated Sept. 25, 1867, Solomon Lincoln delivering the address. There was an ode by Mrs. C. L. P. Stephenson and a poem by E. Porter Dyer. Fearing Burr was chairman of the building committee, John

Albert Fearing served as president from its insti- ; this work.) tutiuii, iu 1858, for nearly seventeen years, till his Hon. John D. Long was represetituiive to General death, in May, 1875. He was a native of this town, | Court iu 1875, '70, '77, and '78, the two latter years and loyal to its welfare in a remarkable degree. An I being Speaker of the Hou.-e. He wa.-> lieutenanteminent and successful Boston meix-liant, he cherished governor of Massachusetts in 1871), and Governor of a deep interest in Hingham, and in it spent his last ] Massachusetts iu 1880, '81, and '82, and is the present representative in Congress from the Second Masyears.

He was succeeded, in May, 1875, in the office of president by Solomon Lincoln, wlio held it less than a year. Mr. Lincoln had been vice-president from its beginning. Not a farmer, he yet was a man of such ripe and varied learning, and withal so thoroughly identified and familiar with the history, character, and traditions of Hingham, his native town,

Solomon Lincoln was senator in 1830 and 1831 (see also list of representatives to General Court), and United States marshal for District of Massacbuthat he was invaluable to llie society and to Mr. setts iu 1841 - J:4. Fearing while the latter was its president. Its literary department and demands always found iu his voice and pen the needed response. At Mr. Fearing's death the society turned at once to Mr. Lincoln as his successor. His failing health compelled his early retirement, but his interest continued during his life. He was succeeded, in July, 187G, after a short vacancy in the office, by Edmund Hersey, now delegate to the State Board of Agriculture, who maintained the high e.\cellence of the society. He, in turn, having resigned, was succeeded, in November, 1880, by the present incumbent, Ebed L. Ripley.

The officers of the society for 1883-84 are as follows: President, Ebed L. Ripley; Vice-Presidents, Charles W. Cuahing, John D. Long, Amos Bates, Alfred Loring, Arthur Lincoln, Elijah Shute, Melzar W. Clark, Fearing Burr, Francis \V. Brewer ; Recording Secretary, William H. Thomas; Correspouding Secretary, Francis B. Lincoln ; Secretary of the Exhibition, DcWitt C. Bates; Treasurer, Reuben Sprague ; Librarian, William II. Thomas; Directors, David Gushing, Jr., James Cushing, Isaac N. Damon, Henry Stephenson, Starkes Whiton, Justin Ripley, J. Edwards Ripley, John Todd, William Cushing, Francis 11. Stowell, Jushua Tower, Charles II. Marble, Josejih O. Burdctt, Franklin Hersey, George J. Fearing, J'Idward E. I'^lms (Cohassel), Kilburn B. Merritt (Scituate), Joseph Totman (East Weymouth) ; Delegate to the Massachusetts Slate Board of Agriculture, Eduiund Hersey.

Representatives from 1636 to 1884.' - The following is a list of representatives from Hingham from 163C to the present time, covering a period of nearly two hundred and fifty years :

- May 11, 1831. Tho Constitution was amended, changing the time of meeting of the General Court from the last Wednesday in May to the lirst Wednesday in January each year.

Oct. 2, 1829, JedeJiali Farmer took the entire manatrement and continued till Jan. 6, 1837, when Tlioinas D. Blossom assumed the management.

April 6, 1838, its name was changed to Guspd ^Yitlless and Old Coluiti/ Repoiltr, with Albert A. Folsoni, editor. This paper was discontinued October, 1839.

July 2, 1838, The Ilingliam Patriot appeared, edited by Jedediah Farmer, who published it until July 3, 1841, when it passed into the hands of Wilder & Gill.

From July 14, 1848, to Dec. 29, 1848, John Gill was editor and publisher, and it was subsequently published a short time by James H. Wilder.

The first number was issued January 4th of that year, and announced Thomas D. Blossom, printer. The second number adds Albert Whiton as printer.

Mr. Wilder carried on the paper until January, 1852, when it went into the hands of Thomas D. Blobsom and Joseph D. Clark, who published it until January, 1854, when Mr. Clark retired, and the firm became Blossom & Easterbrook (Mr. Joseph Eabterbrook).

July 4, 1853, Mr. Blossom met with a severe accident by the premature discharge of a cannon while engaged in a public demonstration, and for a long period his life was despaired of, and in 1854, when Mr. Easterbrook came to the Journal, Mr. Blossom was btill incapacitated for any real labor, and the actual publication of the paper devolved upon Mr. Easterbrook.

.Mr. Easterbrook then purchased of the Blossom heirs their interest in the paper, and carried it on uiiiil death interrupted his labors. May 8, 1879. Mrs. Joseph Easterbrook conducted the journal until August 1st of the same year, when it went into the hands of its present proprietor, Mr. Fred. H. Miller.

Educational. - The earliest date at which a public school was established in Hingham cannot be ascertained. The earliest notice of the erection of a school-house is found in the " Selectmen's First Book of Records," which appears to have been in the year 1668.

In 1670, Mr. Henry Smith contracted with the selectmen " to teach and instruct, until the year be expired, in Latin, Greek, and English, willing and arithmetic, such youths of the inhabitanls of Hingham" as should be sent to their school. His salary was fixed at twenty-four pounds, to be paid quarterly in wheat, rye, barley, peas, and Indian corn, at current prices. In 1673, James Bates, Sr., was paid ''for keeping school." In 1674, Joseph Andrews and James Bates received compensation as school-masters. In 1677, James Bates made a written agiueiuent with the seleclmen to teach "Latin, English, writing, and arithmetic" for one year for twenty pounds sterling. In 1679, Matthew Hawke was paid by the town for teaching a school. In 1685, Mr. Thomas Palmer contracted with the selectmen to teach Laiin, Greek, English, writing, and aiiihmetic fur twenty pounds, ten pounds in money and ten pounds in corn. In 1687, Mr. Samuel Shepard was employed as a teacher of Latin, etc., with a salary of twenty-five pounds in corn. In 1690, Mr. Richard Henchnian was a teacher. In 1694, Mr. Joseph Estabrook, Jr., contracted to teach Latin, Greek, etc., for twenty two pounds per year, one-half to be paid in money, and the other in corn. j Mr. Estabrook continued until 1696, when Mr. Jede- I diah Andrews (afterwards a minister at I'liiladelpliia) I was employed for a salary of thirty pounds in money. I Mr. Estabrook was again employed in 17(10, and cun- I tinued until Aug. 20, 1705, when Mr. John Odliu was engaged ; but he remained for only a short time. Mr. Joseph Marsh (the same probably who was afterwards the minister of Quincy) was employed in 1706 and 1707. After him, Mr. Daniel Lewis, who subsequently settled in the ministry at Pembroke, taught the school for several years. This note is already too long, and I give merely the names of a few other teachers: 1712-13, Mr. Jonathan Gushing; 1713- 14, Mr. Gushing and Mr. John Norton, Jr. From April, 1714, to 1717, Mr. Job Gushing, afterwards the minister of Shrewsbury; 1718, Mr. Allen, .Mr. Cornelius Nye, and Mr. Adam Cusliing. Mr. Nye I taught a school in the north part of the town from 1718 to 1745, with the exception only of two or three years. Perhaps previously, and during that time, other schools were established in other parts of tlie town. The south part of the town and the East Precinct drew their proportion of money from the treasury, and appropriated it for the support of schools as they thought proper. Mr. Isaac Lincoln was a teacher of the school in the north part of the town tor a lonj; series of years. He died April 10, 17G0, aged tirty-aino. From the foregoing list it appears that woll-oUucated teachers were early employed in this town to instruct the youth. They were generally men of liberal education.

The Hiufham Public Library was founded in ISiJy by Hun. Albert Fearing, and has since been in a prosperous condition. The present officers and trustees are as follows :

Derby Academy.' - Mrs. Sarah Derby, whose maiden name wa;j Langley, was a poor fisherman's daughter, known as " Ragged" Sarah Langley, - ignorant, and liardly able to read or write; but having acquired considerable property at the death of her first husband, Dr. Ezckiel Horsey, she determined to found a school where the poor children of the town might obtain the blessings of an education, which she herself had been denied, and of which she had ever felt the want. Accordingly, by a deed of law and release, executed Oct. 21, 1784, she conveyed to the persons therein named, as trustees, a piece of land and buildings thereon, the income of which was to be appropriated for the maintenance of a school in Hinghaui, i'or the instruction of the youth in such arts, languages, and sciences as were mentioned ; this bequest was further increased, in her will, by the remainder of her property, amounting to considerable, and by a grant of a township in Maine by the Legislature of 1803, to be disposed of for the benefit of the school.

The school was incorporated in November, 178-4, and called after its founder, Derby School. The name Hersey School would have been more appropriate. Among the first trustees were many prominent men of that day, - Hon. Benjamin Lincoln, Dr. Ebenezer Gay, pastor of the old church ; Col. John Thaxter, secretary of the Continental Congress.

By an act of the Legislature, June 19, 1797, the Derby School was erected into an academy, called Derby Academy, which it has retained to the present day.

The deed and will of Mrs. Derby contain some curious provision.s. By the deed the school was required to be maintained for the instruction of such males as should be admitted therein '- in the Latin, Greek, English, and French languages, and in the sciences of mathematics and geography ;" and such females as should be admitted therein " in the English and French languages, arithmetic, and the art of needlework in general." The trustees were required to elect a preceptor for said school, skilled in the above arts and sciences, and in the art of writing, also a sensible and discreet woman, skilled in the art of needlework, to instruct the females therein.

Special provision was made fur the admission of pupils intended for Harvard College. Tlieie was to be no charge for tuition, but each pupil was rL'f[uirud to furnish a " proportional share of firewood." An annual lecture was to be delivered by -' some able minister of the gospel" to the pupils, " for the purpose of inculcating such principles as are suited to form the mind to virtue."

In the codicil of the will there is a provision that if the trustees should neglect at any time for the space of two years together to apply the income of the funds to the purposes for which they were intended, they were to become the property of the president and fellows of Harvard University, to be used for the support of the professor of Anatomy and Physics. Mrs. Derby also directed that her " portrait and new clock" be placed in the school.

Such are the provisions upon which the academy was founded, and which are complied with, as far as possible, at the present day. The present building was erected in 1818, and the old clock still marks the time for those therein.

The first preceptor was Abner Lincoln, Esq., appointed by Mrs. Derby herself, a man of excellent qualifications, secretary of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln in the Revolutionary war. His successor was Rev. Andrews Norton, afterwards professor of Sacred Literature at Harvard College. Mr. Increase S. Smith held the position for many years, - prominent in antislavery times, a man of ripe scholarship, and one of the foremost educators of his time.

During all this period the reputation of the academy was high. To it flocked pupils from every State in the Union and from the West Indies and South America. It has sent, and continues to send, many pupils to Harvard and other colleges. Many prominent men were educated there, - Hon. Charles Sumner, Hon. Solomon Lincoln. Several of the Adams family were pupils ut different times. At present the academy is in a flourishiug conditioti, empluying four teachers, and filled to its utmost capacity with pupils.