Hingham Town (part 6 of 9)

The trips were sometimes long, when there was a calm, and sociability was a distinguishing feature of them. Timorous old ladies thought it necessary to be seasick when crossing " Brantry " Bay, and were much disappointed when the captain omitted to tell them that they were in that dreaded locality. Often at low tide the passengers were landed at Crow Point, necessitating a long tramp home.

The Hingham " Station Packets," which lay on the south side of Long Wharf, at the head of the dock, where State Street Block now stands, were for many years a well-known institution. They were usually old vessels, housed over, kept as a sort of consignment station for buckets, eggs, knit woollen stockings, and other products of the industry of residents of the South Shore. Berths were let and frequently occupied by South-Shore people who remained in Boston over night, and meals were furnished to packetmen and others. In short, they were a sort of floating hotel. The Republican and Federal lines both had " Station Packets." The " Friendship" and " Russell," and afterwards a schooner, "John Moulton," were used for a number of years for this purpose. The " Genet " was the last of the station packets. She lay latterly at the foot of State Street Block. She was formerly a sloop, commanded by Capt. Barnabas Lincoln, in the coasting trade, carrying passengers and freight. She was larger than the others, and had a large cabin and good accommodations. She was finally towed to South Boston flats, where she sunk.

Hingham in 1818, but in 1819 and 1820 she ran regular trips, when she was commanded by Capt. Clark and Capt. James Moorfield, and afterwards by Capt. Barnabas Lincoln. She was a sidewheel boat, with " comfortable accommodations for about two hundred passengers." Between the morning and evening trips to and from Boston she made regular trips to Nahant and other places, during a portion of the time in which she was on the Hingham route. Her passengers were landed at Union Wharf at high tide, and sometimes up by Souther's ship-yard, but at Barnes's Rocks at low tide, where at one time there was a wire bridge, which was blown over and destroyed in 1819. For one winter at least this boat was hauled up in the creek at Broad Cove. In 1821 the " Eagle " was probably taken off the Hingham route, as no reference to her occurs in any advertisements, although she was advertised to run to Salem. The "Eagle " was a sufficiently large and stanch boat to make occasional outside trips to Portland and elsewhere.

The " Lafayette," formerly called " Hamilton," which name always remained on her stern, made her first trips between Hingham and Boston in the autumn of 1829. Capt. George Thaxter commanded her until August, 1830, when Capt.

George Beal took charge, and so continued until she was sold in the spring of 1832 to go to Eastport, Me. She was a much smaller boat than the " Eagle," with but one deck, the after part of which was raised. Her engine was " on the low-pressure principle," and she made the passage in about two hours. With a good stiff breeze the sailing sloop packets from Hingham could sail faster than this steamboat. On one occasion when she had gone as far as the Castle a fresh " nor'wester " set in, and Capt. Thaxter had to put her about and return to Hingham. The fare for the trip was 37|- cents. An advertisement in the Hingham Gazette, May 21, 1830, states that " the proprietors have erected a pier at Barnes's Rocks, from which the boat can start any time of tide."

The Boston and Hingham Steam Boat Company was incorporated June 10, 1831, and early steps were taken towards building a new boat and erecting a hotel in Hingham. The boat was built and named " General Lincoln," making her first trip to Boston June 16, 1832, under the command of Capt. George Beal, who was her only commander during her service on this route. This boat was built in Philadelphia. She had two boilers and two engines, burnt wood, like her predecessors, and made the trip to Boston in an hour and a half. The fare was 37|- cents until 1844, when it was reduced to 25 cents. This has been the usual fare ever since. She was advertised as " ready to tow vessels in Boston Harbor between her regular trips." This boat was sold early in 1845, and the " Danin " took her place on the route for a short time before the " Mayflower " arrived here.

The hotel which the company decided to build was the Old Colony House. It was opened June 4, 1832, and was built on " Neck Gate Hill." The hill then became known as " Old Colony Hill."

The house was an unprofitable investment, and in 1837 the Company voted to sell the whole property, - steamboat and Old Colony House. This was done March 28, 1837. A new company with new by-laws was subsequently formed under the same name, and the steamboat continued to be one of Hingham's institutions. The hotel subsequently passed into private ownership, and after varying fortunes as a summer resort was burned Oct. 7, 1872.

In connection with the Steamboat Company and Old Colony House was the Old Colony Grove on Summer Street, southeast of the hotel, which was for many years used as a place of resort for picnics and excursions by steamer.

a short route for foot-passengers across Mansfield's Cove to the road which Capt. Laban Hersey laid out at Barnes's Rocks, by building a floating bridge and securing it to each shore.

The wharf for which piles were driven could be approached by carriages only by way of Martin's Lane, and foot passengers would have to make quite a circuit to shorten the distance. The owners of the land on the south side of the cove objected to having the floating bridge secured to their land, and an entry in the day-book of Capt. Laban Hersey, June 21, 1832, states that he forbade anything being put across from his premises to Mr. Burr's, " Capt. James Harris & Capt. Charles Shute, witnesses."

The floating bridge was built, however, and secured as had been proposed. A watch was kept over it night and day by employees of the Steamboat Company, but it was cut adrift one night and floated off near Pine Hill. Large quantities of pine wood used to be piled on this wharf and up to the wind-mill near by, which was used for pumping water. The " General Lincoln " used to take in wood and water here. The floating bridge was never brought back to connect this wharf with the passageway leading to Barnes's Rocks.

her regular trips for the season. Her commanders were Capt. George Beal, 1845-50; Capt. Elijah Beal, 1851-1855; Capt. Alfred L. Rouell, 1856. Her average time in making the trip to Boston was an hour and a quarter. The (Nahant) steamer " Nelly Baker," Capt. Rouell, took the place of the " Mayflower " for a few days in June, 1854.

The company having decided to build a new boat, the " Mayflower " was sold, to go to New York, and made her last trip from Hingham Dec. 3, 1856.

Capt. George Beal was pilot for the boats of the company for many years after he ceased to be in command. His steamboat service on Hingham boats dates from the days of the " Eagle " to the "Rose Standish," a period of over fifty years. His reputation as a pilot was so great that many passengers would have considered it unsafe to make the trip unless he was at the wheel.

In 1857 the " Nantasket " succeeded the " Mayflower," making her first trip May 21, 1857. She was built for the company in New York under the supervision of Capt. Alfred L. Rouell, who commanded her while she ran here. Her average time on the trip was one hour, and she was considered the fastest boat in Boston Harbor. The rivalry between the " Nantasket " and " Nelly Baker," the Nahant boat, was very great. Both boats left on their afternoon trip at the same hour through the summer months, and brushes between these boats, as far as Deer Island, were frequent. The writer, on one occasion, was on board the " Nantasket " when she was running so closely alongside the " Nelly Baker," both boats being at full speed, that a deck-hand of the "Nantasket" jumped aboard the " Nelly Baker " and back again. Those who deprecate racing in these later days hardly realize how spirited were the contests then.

In the " Mayflower " and " Nantasket " days there was much sociability and enjoyment on the trips among the passengers. It was a daily meeting of intimate acquaintances and friends. The merry jest went round and stories were told, giving life and animation to the trip. In later days, with more people and more boats, each one feels less obligation to his neighbor, and it is more common to see the man of business absorbed in his daily newspaper.

The landing in Hingham, until 1869, was the common centre for all the neighboring towns, as well as Hingham, and it was no uncommon sight, on the arrival of the boat, to see the pier crowded with vehicles, which stretched away almost up to the head of the wharf. The bustle was great as the South Scituate and Rockland House stages and the other public and private carriages rolled off, loaded with their merry companies o^ passengers.

In 1862 the " Nantasket " was in government employ in the South, and during a part of that season the company put upon the route the steamers " Gilpin " and " Halifax," the latter a " sternwheeler." The " Nantasket " resumed her trips in the autumn of 1862, for a short time, when she was sold to the United States, to be used as a transport steamer during the war of the Rebellion. Another new boat was then built for the company, at Brooklyn, N. Y., and named " Rose Standish." She had a saloon on the upper deck, where her predecessors had been open. She arrived in Hingham July 11, 1863, and began her regular trips July 13. She was commanded by the following : -

July 10, 1864, she was impressed into the United States government service for about twelve days, for war purposes, when she made a trip to Alexandria, Va.

In 1869 the company established a route to Nantasket Beach, and after that time the fleet of boats belonging to the company gradually increased. For several seasons the " Rose Standish " made the spring and fall trips from Hingham. Later on she was rebuilt and finally sold for service in the vicinity of Eastport, Me.

For thirty-six years - from 1831 to 1867 - the Boston and Hingham Steam Boat Company was the only one running boats between Hingham and Boston. This company was the child of Hingham enterprise, and largely of Hingham capital, and it is not to be wondered at that any invasion of its territory should be looked upon with uneasy feelings by its managers and stockholders.

In 1867 the " People's Independent Line " advertised to ru'n steamboats between Hingham and Boston. This company was under the management of Harvey T. Litchfield, who had purchased the wharf next west of the old company's pier, in Hingham, formerly occupied as a lumber wharf and known as Cushing's Wharf. A pier was extended from this wharf, and a channel dredged to it. The steamer " Emeline," formerly the " Nantasket " already spoken of, began her trips for this company, under command of Capt. Alfred L. Rouell, June 24, 1867. In the same month the " Wm. Harrison," Capt. Rouell, came to the route, the " Emeline " being transferred to a route between Boston, Hull, and Strawberry Hill, where a wharf had been built. It may be mentioned that Hull had always been an intermediate landing for boats of the old company.

The " Wm. Harrison " was built in Keyport, N. Y., in 1865. The fare on both lines during the season of 1867 was 25 cents, except for a short time in the beginning of the season, when it was 30 cents on the old line.

In 1868 the " Rose Standish " ran from Hingham for the Boston and Hingham Steam Boat Company, and the " Wm. Harrison," Capt. E. S. Young, with the " Emeline," Capt. A. F. Doane, a part of the summer, for the People's Line, with the fare at 25 cents.

In 1869 the Boston and Hingham Steam Boat Company purchased the very fast steamer " John Romer " in New York, and she made her first trip May 20. She was commanded by Capt. Charles E. Good. Fares on this line were reduced to ten cents during a portion of the season. The " Rose Standish " was put upon the beach route. The " Wm. Harrison," Capt. E. S. Young, was the boat of the People's Line, with fares at twenty-five, ten,, and five cents, as competition increased and excitement ran high. In this year Litchfield's Grove was opened for picnics and pleasure parties in connection with the People's Line. This grove was southeast of the Old Colony House station of the railroad, on Summer Street.

Steamboat Landings At Various Times

1870 was another exciting year in steamboat matters. Fares on both lines were ten cents the greater part of the season. October 1st the " Wm. Harrison " was taken off the route for the season, when the fare on the old line was raised to 25 cents. This brought out the " Wm. Harrison " again on October 18th, with a ten-cent fare, and from this time until the " Wm. Harrison" was withdrawn for the season (October 31st) the old line carried passengers free of charge, then restoring the fare to 25 cents for the month of November, and closing the season December 1.

During 1871 and 1872 competition continued, fares varied from 10 to 25 cents, and there was no change in boats, Capt. Wesley Collins being commander of the " John Romer." After 1872 the People's Line seems to have abandoned Hingham and given its entire attention to the Strawberry Hill route. This line having passed into new hands, became absorbed into the Boston and Hingham Steam Boat Company in 1888.

The large tract of land known as " Crow Point " had been for some years owned by Mr. Samuel Downer and others. It was Mr. Downer's original intention to establish his oil-works there, but later he conceived the idea of making it a summer resort. The result was that " Crow Point " was transformed into "Downer Landing." Mr. Downer put a large amount of capital into the enterprise, and, what was equally essential, a large amount of energy. He laid out house-lots, made roads, and built a number of summer cottages and other buildings, including a hotel, the " Rose Standish House." He also opened pleasure grounds well fitted with all the necessary accessories for the amusement of picnic and pleasure parties during the summer season, to which he gave the name of " Melville Gardens." He also built a wharf for a steamboat landing. The whole transformation was rapid and wonderful. All this was in 1871. The " Wm. Harrison," of the People's Line, had the sole privilege of landing there during this season. In 1872 Mr. Downer had built two additional wharves, one for freight vessels and one for the landing of the boats of the Boston and Hingham Steam Boat Company. This was the Hingham boat, and so continued for a series of years. The fleet of the Boston and Hingham Steam Boat Company had been increased to three boats. A fourth, the new " Nantasket," built for the company in Chelsea in 1878, was added in that year.

In 1881 the control of the company passed from its former owners, and the new management gave its special attention to the accommodation of travel to Nantasket Beach. Intimately connected with the boats was the Nantasket Beach Railroad, which had been opened in 1880. In this _year the Old Colony and Hingham Steamboat Company was incorporated under the general law. Its stockholders were principally those who had formerly been in control of the Boston and Hingham Steam Boat Company. They sold their interest in the old company and purchased the steamer " Gov. Andrew," with certain privileges of landing at Hull, Downer Landing, and Hingham. The " Gov. Andrew " continued her regular trips to Hingham, and the Boston and Hingham Steam Boat Company discontinued trips to Hingham. The name of the Old Colony and Hingham Steamboat Company was changed by an Act of the Legislature, March 16, 1882, to the Hingham, Hull, and Downer Landing Steamboat Company.

In 1884 the Hingham, Hull, and Downer Landing Steamboat Company purchased the steamer ' Nahant," built in Chelsea in 1878, made improvements upon her and changed her name to ** Gen. Lincoln," and placed Capt. Charles E. Good in command of her. These two boats - the " Gov.- Andrew" and "Gen. Lincoln " - continued to be the boats for Hingham for several succeeding years.

In 1888 the Hingham, Hull, and Downer Landing Steamboat Company increased its capital, bought the property and franchises of the Boston and Hingham Steam Boat Company, and the former owners again regained control of all the routes between Boston, Hull, Strawberry Hill, Nantasket Beach, Downer Landing, and Hingham.

In 1891 the steamer " Mayflower " was built in Chelsea for this company, and made her first trip June 27th, with Capt. George F. Brown as her commander. Her capacity is for two thousand passengers.

In the foregoing account of the steamboats no attempt has been made to give a history of the steamboat companies or boats except as they have been connected with Hingham.

Stage-Coaches

There was no regular stage communication between Hingham and Boston until near the close of the last century. The " Massachusetts Register" publishes for the first time in 1802 a list of stage-lines running out of Boston. It states that the Plymouth stage started from King's Inn, and adds the following note : "N. B. Plymouth stage passes through Bridgewater every Wednesday and Thursday, and through Hingham all the other regular days." There are similar notes in 1803 and 1804. The time of leaving was five or six o'clock in the morning, according to the season of the year. In 1805 the announcement is, " Plymouth mail stage (through Hingham and Hanover) sets off from Mrs. King's Inn every Tuesday and Friday at 5 o'clock in the morning. Leaves Plymouth every Monday and Thursday." The Plymouth stage continued for many years to run through Hingham certain days in the week, and was the regular afternoon stage to Boston, and the morning stage from Boston.

Hingham as a line by itself first appears in the " Register " in 1815, when the stages were announced to leave Boston " from Boyden's, Dock Square, Mon. Thur. Sat. 4 P. M."

Three days in the week was the arrangement until 1826, when it ran five days, and in 1827 Abiel Wilder advertised that his stage would leave his house every day, except Sundays, at 6 o'clock A. M., and Capt. Riley's, No. 9 Elm Street, Boston, at 4 o'clock P. M. Mr. Wilder's was the regular Hingham stage, apparently without competition, until the autumn of 1828.

The following list of stage lines and proprietors, which is as complete as can be ascertained, will show the stage arrangements in and after 1828 in a convenient form. Possibly the list is incomplete, but there continued to be a regular stage to Boston until about the time of the opening of the railroad in 1849.

1828. Abiel Wilder. Scituate & Boston Accommodation, Amos H. Hunt. Marshfield, Scituate, Cohasset, and Hingham Mail, Jedediah Little and Co., through Hingham three times a week.

1846. "Railroad Line," connecting with Old Colony Railroad at Quincy ; Wm. Hichborn, driver. " Old Line," Reuben Gardner, - Hingham to Boston.

It is no fancy of memory to say that the teams were of the very best. The crack of the whip and dash of the horse was not wanting, and the same pride on the part of the drivers to come into town in good style, which is the tradition of old staging days, was felt here in Hingham as elsewhere. There are many anecdotes of the brilliant exhibitions of the drivers' skill. One venerable resident has told the writer how well he remembers the usual sight as the Plymouth stage came down by the Old Meeting-house, where the driver would crack his whip, the horses dash into a full gallop, and be brought gracefully to a full stop at the Post Office, which, in those days, stood on the hill in front of the Academy ; and also the ringing sound of the horn in the west part of the town in the early morning, announcing the arrival of the mail in town, hurrying the postmaster to his station to receive it.

Among the popular drivers " Ben " Bates and " Jake " Sprague, of the Plymouth line ; " Bill " Furgerson, of the Scituate line ; and " Tom " Morey and " Bill " Hichborn, of the Hingham line, are well remembered by the older residents and patrons.

The steamboat landing was for many years the terminus of lines from the neighboring towns, and there has been no lack of local accommodation in later years. The fine four-horse " Steamboat Coach," owned and driven by Joseph Haskell, to connect with the steamer " Gen. Lincoln," in 1834, and other years about that time, was the admiration of the town. It was for local accommodation.

The Old Colony Railroad was opened from Boston to Plymouth Nov. 10, 1845. The route was through Quincy, Braintree, and Abington. The distance from Hingham to Quincy was about six miles, and to Braintree about ten miles. Naturally the question of a railroad through Hingham to connect with the Old Colony soon began to be agitated. There was much discussion about the location of the road, opinions differing widely as to the most desirable route ; but it was settled by the charter of the South Shore Railroad Company, which was granted March 26, 1846, the location being somewhat changed by a subsequent Act. This road was a branch from the Old Colony from North Braintree to Cohasset, passing through Hingham between North and South streets. The road was opened for travel Jan. 1, 1849, with stations in Hingham at the corner of West and South streets, called " West Hingham ; " on North Street between Thaxter's Bridge and Broad Bridge, called " Hingham ; " on Summer Street, called " Old Colony House ; " and on East Street, near the Cohasset line, called " Nantasket," and afterwards " North Cohasset."

Old Colony. For a number of years after that date it had its own equipment of engines and cars, the engines running to Braintree only, where the cars were attached to trains on the main line. In September, 1871, the Old Colony bought the controlling interest in the South Shore, and Oct. 1, 1876, it was consolidated with the Old Colony.

It was largely owing to the enterprise and energy of Mr. Alfred C. Hersey, a native of Hingham, that the South Shore railroad was established, and he was elected its first president. There was great rejoicing in Hingham, as well as in the other towns on the route, on the day of opening the road, and a salute was fired from Powder House Hill.

The following account of the opening day's proceedings appeared in " The Chronotype," a Boston daily paper, edited by Elizur Wright, in the issue of Jan. 2, 1849 : -

After infinite palaver, as Carlyle would say, the South-Shore Road has got itself located and opened. Is not this a proof of the feasibility of republics ? The people in the one hundred and one coves and inlets of our many-sided Boston Harbor are somewhat like frogs, - the grant of a railroad for them caused any amount of clack. Should it be here, or there ? One would have said, with such pulling and hauling, it would be nowhere. We can testify it is there.

Yesterday was one of the brightest possible winter days, and at 12 o'clock an immense, long train waited half an hour for the City Government, and then started, rolled on over the Calf Pasture by Dorchester, Neponset, Quincy, and Braintree, and gracefully curved off upon the new road, which the glorious amphibious people of North Braintree, Weymouth, Hingham, and Cohasset have built for themselves.

It passes through a j^opulous and thriving country, where the children are abundant, living off from both the land and the sea. They seem to have curved the road a good deal, to suit as many as possible. Passing through the ancient hive of Hingham, the folks made us promise to come back and take supper. Arrived at Cohasset about half-past-two.

Cohasset is of itself no small place. It has considerable ground to stand upon, besides the water beyond it. We saw two churches, many snug houses, multitudes of people. Probably some, by permission of their mothers, came from Hull.

At Cohasset is a spacious Car House, some two or three hundred feet long, the whole of which was converted into a summery sort of bower, with evergreens for foliage and red and white bunting for blossoms. Two long tables were bountifully spread, and the crowd passed in without let or hindrance. We should guess there were at least one thousand, perhaps more. After an air from the fine Weymouth Brass Band and the invocation of a blessing, the eatables were attended to.

We must not forget to mention that besides a most bountiful and various cold collation, with hot coffee, there was a hogshead or two of chowder, piping hot, ladled out. As Daniel Webster was not on hand for the responsible service of superintending the chowder-pot, our friend John Wright, of Exchange Street, had performed that duty. This does not

The President of the road, Mr. Alfred C. Hersey, opened the speechmaking very handsomely in a brief address, and Mr. Johnson read the first toast to the Old Colony Eoad, which called forth Mr. Derby, its President. He complimented very justly the ladies of Cohasset for the fine appearance of the Hall, and the bountiful supply of the tables, and ended with a toast for Boston, which was responded to by three cheers for Ex-Mayor Quincy.

A toast to the good old Commonweath of Massachusetts was responded to by Mr. Amasa Walker, who is truly as much the embodiment of Massachusetts spirit as any man. He gave in few words a striking view 'of what Massachusetts has done for railroads, and what they have done for her.

Mr. Degrand, of Boston, in his inimitable manner, demonstrated that the South-Shore Railroad had cost $100,000 less than nothing. It had raised the value of land for a mile on each side of it on an average $50 an acre. Sic vos non vobis, the stockholders might say, but Mr. Degrand did not mind that. He went on to advocate a road to San Francisco, and to prove in the same way that it would cost less than nothing.

When the City Government was toasted, our friends Kimball and Woodman did the honors, with an unction which showed how well they deserve their seats in that honorable body. Moses related how a certain roaring " Bull of Bashan " opposed the mortgaging of the State for the Worcester Railroad, and how another common but dangerous bull of Worcester County opposed to his cost the progress of the first locomotive which traversed that county. And then he drew a parallel, which brought down the house, between the one bull and the other ; at last letting the ignorant know that the Bull of Bashan was B. F. Hallett.

The Press being toasted, unfortunately the only thing in the shape of an editor was the Ishmaelite of the Chronotype, who, alluding to the remarkable fact that though Hull belonged exclusively to the Courier he had some interest in Cohasset, having partly educated one of its Parsons, and gave for a toast : " The People of Cohasset. From the liberty with which they have used their ladles to-day, they deserve to dwell on the brim of the gi'eat chowder-pot of the world."

Time would fail us even to name all the good things that were said and toasted. At the hour of four the immense throng piled themselves into the cars, and returned to Hingham, where, in one of the most beautiful station buildings in the country, they were invited to another " light repast." It was light in regard to the illumination, but cmite substantial as to the amount of sponge cake and coffee, - nothing stronger. Indeed the whole jollification was on temperance principles, and the very wittiest men used nothing but cold water. At seven o'clock, the whole party having enjoyed the best possible time of it, - a brand new edition of toasts, jokes, and compliments being got out at Hingham, - returned to Boston by eight.

It was a capital sentiment offered by Mr. David Kimball, brother of the Museum man : " The improvement of travelling and collations, - the former with steam and the latter without." Such grand railroad doings without liquor speak well for Massachusetts. God bless her !

Scituate and Marshfield to Duxbuiy, was opened in the summer of 1871. This road was extended to Kingston, where it connected with the Old Colony, and opened June 21, 1874. Thus Hingham came into more direct communication with the shire town of its county. The Duxbury and Cohasset Road was consolidated with the Old Colony Oct. 1, 1878.

The Nantasket Beach railroad was chartered and opened in 1880. This road connected with the Old Colony at " Old Colony House " Station, and ran to the head of Nantasket Beach, in Hull, and thence to Windmill Point, just beyond Hull Village, making close connection with the steamboats at Nantasket Beach and Hull. After several seasons of experience in running as an independent road, it was finally leased to the Old Colony in 1888, on such terms as to make it virtually a part of that road.

Fire Department By Francis H. Lincoln

Our ancestors early endeavored to protect themselves from losses by fire. In the Selectmen's First Book of Records are the following orders : -

Hingham, 1662. It is ordered by the Selectmen of this Town that Euery house holder shall have a sufficient Ladder proportionable to ye height of his house always in Redyness in case of Danger & such as are found defective herein or weake after the publication of this order shall pay hue shillings for Euery weeke that he or they continue in this Defect as a fine to ye vse of ye towne and any one of the Selectmen are hereby impowered to execute this order.

Hinghak, 1663. It is ordered by the Selectmen that if any person shall take away the Ladder belonging vnto the Meeting-house except it be in case of present Danger of fire, and then not to keepe it above four and twenty houers, shall pay as a fine to the vse of the Town the sum 'of ten shillings. Edmund Pitts is to execute this order.

There is little of interest relating to the means of putting out fires for many years. Fire Wards were appointed according to law, whose badge of office was a red staff surmounted with a brass spike or spear, and such precautions as naturally suggested themselves were taken by private individuals.

At the beginning of the present century there was a movement to procure fire-engines. They were not purchased and owned by the town, but by private individuals as " proprietors." The town provided houses to keep them in, and in 1802 one hundred and sixty dollars were paid by the Selectmen " for building 2 Engine Houses." These were for the " Precedent, No. 1," and " Centre, No. 2." There was a rivalry - when was there not rivalry in fire-engine matters ? - between those inhabitants " on the Plain " and those " down town," who had decided to procure these engines, as to which should be completed first. The one for " the Plain " was built there with the exception of the copper work, which was done by Hunneman & Co. of Boston. James Stephenson and Benjamin Thomas did the iron work. Peter Sprague

The engine for " the Plain " was completed first, and for that reason was named the " Precedent." It was located about where the public scales now are (1893), adjoining the Hingham Centre Post Office. The earliest records are dated May 4, 1819, and show Moses Sprague to have been elected Master or Director. The records continue through 1841.

The other engine was called the " Centre." Both were completed in 1802, and were "bucket tubs" without suction attachments, and had to be filled by hand. The water was then forced through the hose and pipe.

If one were to imagine a fire in those days he would see a company of perhaps fifteen men at work upon the brakes and attending to the hose and pipe, while a line of men and women stretched away to the nearest water, which they passed from hand to hand in buckets, emptying it into the tub, passing the empty buckets back by another line to be filled again.

The house for the "Centre" stood at first about where the North Street end of Ford's Building now is (1893). It was afterwards moved to Thaxter's Bridge on the southerly side of the Town Brook, where the Anthes Building now stands. Here the old " Centre" remained until she ceased to be used, except for the last few years of her stay in Hingham, when she was kept in the barns of Norton Q. Thaxter and Thomas L. Hobart. When her former owners had all passed away, deserted, and no longer fit for duty, she was taken to Crow Point and put on board a vessel bound for Miramichi. A list of the original proprietors of the " Centre " engine, dated Feb. 20, 1802, gives 124 names, of which 12 were women. Dea. David Lincoln was the first captain of the " Centre." A meeting of the proprietors was called for April 5, 1851, " to see what disposition they will make of the engine," which will give some indication of how long she remained in town.

After the " Precedent, No. 1," and " Centre, No. 2," came the " Constitution, No. 3." She was located near the Meeting-house at South Hingham, and was owned, like the others, by proprietors. The town paid for the building in which she was kept, according to the Selectmen's Records : " 1805, Paid for building an Engine House in the South Parish, 195." She was also a bucket tub, smaller than No. 1 and No. 2. Her brakes ran " athwartships," and not " fore and aft," as was the later fashion.

The " Torrent, No. 4," was purchased by citizens of West Hingham in 1826. Isaac Little was elected the first captain Feb. 21, 1826. The town paid for her house $141.

June 16, 1830, the first suction engine, " Hingham, No. 5," was brought into town, being built by Stephen Thayer of Boston, and purchased like her predecessors by citizens of the lower part of the town, more especially around the harbor, at a cost of about $600. Luther J. Barnes was her first foreman. In addition to the private subscription the town paid $100 for a suction apparatus and $40 for a hose carriage, and built a new engine-house which cost $185.75.

Sept. 13, 1826, there was a grand parade of the Fire Companies of Hingham with their engines, for exercise and practice. This was the first exhibition of fire companies in Hingham.

At a town-meeting Nov. 14, 1843, an article in the warrant, " Will the town adopt any measures for the formation of regular companies for the several engines in town ? " was referred to a committee, which reported at a meeting Nov. 27, 1843, as follows : " Your Committee recommend that companies consisting of 20 members each be raised and attached to engines No. 1, ' Precedent ; ' No. 2, ' Centre ; ' No. 3, ' Torrent ; ' and No. 4, ' Constitution ; ' and a company of 40 members for Engine No. 5, ' Hingham ; ' and that individuals composing said companies be allowed the amount of their poll tax." Companies were very soon formed for the several engines.

At the annual town meeting in 1846, a committee was chosen to see what could be done to secure better protection to the property of the town from fire. This committee reported at the April meeting, recommending that the town purchase four new suction engines, one to be the " Hingham, No. 5," if satisfactory arrangements could be made with the proprietors. This the town voted to do, and appointed a committee to purchase the engines, stipulating that they should be all alike, to avoid rivalry. This committee purchased the " Hingham " of its proprietors, and three new ones of Hunneman & Co. The " Hingham " remained at the harbor, and was called No. 1. No. 2 was stationed at West Hingham, and like the former one was named " Torrent." No. 3 was stationed at Hingham Centre, and named "Niagara," and No. 4 was stationed at South Hingham, and named for her predecessor, " Constitution." These engines were manned by volunteer companies, without pay, and the fire department has been so made up to the present time. The first foremen for the new engines were the following : -

In February, 1852, the town purchased a new engine of Howard and Davis, to take the place of the " Hingham," which had proved unsatisfactory, and located it at the harbor. This engine was named " Extinguisher, No. 1," and her first foreman was John K. Corbett.

In 1874 a hook and ladder truck was built for the town by Whiton and Marble, of Hingham, which was stationed at Hingham Centre, in the house with Engine No. 3. A company was organized March 21, 1874, of which J. Edwards Ripley was the foreman.

In 1879 the town voted to place the Fire Department in charge of a Board of Engineers, who took control May 1, 1879. George dishing was elected chief engineer, and has continued in that office to the present time (1893). After the introduction of Accord Pond water there was gravity pressure enough to throw water over the highest buildings. There was no further need of engines, except perhaps at the south and west parts of the town, in streets to which the water pipes did not extend. The town voted to take water from the Hingham Water Company and set fifty hydrants, - which number has since been increased, - and purchased a new horse hose-carriage, capable of carrying 1200 feet of hose, which was stationed at the junction of North and South streets, and named " Isaac Little." It was built by Abbott, Downing, & Co., of Concord, N. H., and cost the town $670. Hiram Howard was chosen foreman.

In 1881 Engines 1 and 3 were put out of commission and the companies disbanded. Hose companies were formed to have charge of the hose-carriages belonging to those engines. A new four-wheeled hand hose-carriage was purchased, with a capacity for 850 feet of hose, which was placed in the house of Engine No. 3, at Hingham Centre. Its cost was $550, and it was named for the engine " Niagara."

In 1883 a new four-wheeled hose-carriage was purchased, at a cost of $585, which was placed in the house of Engine No. 4, at South Hingham, - the engine being still retained, ready for use, but out of commission.

In 1887 the hook-and-ladder truck, being much out of repair, was sold for $25, and a new one purchased of Abbott, Downing, & Co. for $1000. It was named " Volunteer."

In 1889 the Gamewell System of Fire Alarm Telegraph was introduced into the town, at a cost of $3000, and first put into use on the evening of Oct. 27, 1889.

In 1891 a wagon known as " Hose 2 " was purchased. It was built in Concord, N. H., and cost $500. It is equipped with all the modern appliances, can be run by hand or horses, and has a capacity for one thousand feet of hose.

In 1892 the two carriages formerly attached to "Torrent" and " Constitution " were placed at the harbor and East Hingham, and designated as " Hose A " and " Hose B."

The force of the Department in 1893 consists of a Chief Engineer ; four Assistant-Engineers ; Superintendent of Fire Alarm ; Hose Companies 1, 2, 3, and 4, fifteen men each ; Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, twenty men.

Water-Works By Charles W. S. Seymour

The Hingham Water Company, although a private corporation, is so essentially a Hingham institution that the history of the town would be incomplete without an account of the formation of the company and the building of the works, - an undertaking which has resulted in the promotion of the health and consequent happiness of the citizens of the town, in the preservation of public and private grounds from the effects of drought, and in the protection -of property from destruction by fire.

Accord Pond

The idea of introducing a supply of pure soft water for domestic and other purposes into the town, from Accord Pond, began to impress the minds of some of the progressive citizens of Hingham early in the year 1870. At this time Plymouth was the only town in the county that had introduced water, and the success of the works in that place greatly encouraged the first movers for a similar system in Hingham ; and at a town meeting held Nov. 7, 1871, a committee consisting of Quincy Bicknell^ George P. Hayward, Alfred Loring, Alden Wilder, and Edmund Hersey, was chosen " to cause a survey of Accord Pond to ascertain its capacity for supplying the inhabitants of Hingham with water ; also to cause estimates to be made of the probable cost of laying pipes, &c, and report thereon at some future meeting."

A free and ready supply of pure water has of late years attracted more or less of public attention in our various municipalities, not only as a luxury and comfort, but as an essential element in the maintenance of the public health, and this supply has been sought for and found beyond their own limits.

It is matter of tradition that the fathers made their first settlement here with reference to a ready supply of pure water, which they found in the springs where the upland met the meadow. But as the town has extended itself by growth in various directions out of this valley, it has been found difficult in many localities to procure a sufficient supply of water, and in seasons of drought serious inconvenience, if not suffering, has attended the scarcity of water.

The means of supplying the house with water are either the open well or the well furnished with a pump, the tubular well - a late invention - being used to a limited extent. These wells are liable to be affected by the various causes in operation in growing and compact villages, and by the presence of barnj^rds and stables in close proximity to the wells, and by the quite too general neglect of suitable drainage around our houses. The very means we employ to make our homesteads attractive, by enriching the soil, tend to unfit that soil for properly filtrating the surface water which falls upon it, and which finally, permeating the earth, finds passage to the well.

That the scarcity of water, and at times its impurity, affect and often determine the condition of the health of a community, and affect the longevity of the people, have been made so apparent as to remain unquestioned ; but whether our condition is very much as yet affected by these circumstances cannot so readily be determined. We cannot, however, take ourselves out of the operation of general laws, and so long as any of the causes exist which are detrimental to health and longevity, we must either endure the penalty or remove the cause. No one doubts that in cities and compact villages the introduction of pure and abundant water has tended to add to the length of human life, and to make that life more efficient during its existence ; but what the exact money value of the added and more efficient years may be is not so readily determined.

We may, however, suppose for illustration that in an average life of forty years one year may be added to each life, and that added year would be the most efficient one of the whole life ; and taking the average production of men and women at the most efficient year of a life of labor, we may assume that this year is worth in productive capacity at least five hundred dollars to each one. Apply the result to a community of four thousand and five hundred lives, and you have a gain in a period of forty years of $2,225,000, - more than sufficient to pay the cost of our proposed water-works, with all the interest thereon compounded for the whole forty years.

These water-works have other elements of value in the saving of labor which is now spent in the raising of the water from the well and, in many cases, in the transportation of it, which considered in the several individual instances are comparatively insignificant, but from their incessant repetition aggregate in time and in expenditure of force to no trifling amount. We will suppose that, for the one thousand families or thereabout in town, it requires for this service, daily, on an average, fifteen minutes to each family ; this would give two hundred and fifty hours' work each day, or 91,250 hours for each year; and estimating the value of this service at ten cents per hour, it amounts to $9,125, a sum sufficient' to pay the annual interest on the whole outlay for the proposed works.

Other elements of value will be seen when we come to consider these proposed works in their use in the extinguishing of fires. In this respect their value is too obvious to need anything more than the statement. More than once the more thickly settled portions of our town have been in imminent peril from a spreading conflagration arising from a scarcity of water. With engines and other apparatus more numerous and costly than most towns of our population and wealth, and with a department and companies well organized and competent, yet we fail to derive the full value of this large expenditure and organization by our constant neglect to make proper provision for a sufficient supply of water.

These proposed works have a value in their relation to insurance, and would tend to reduce the present rates or to prevent an increase in those rates. Many other considerations could readily be presented to show how these works could be made to subserve the material interests of the town and its inhabitants in other directions ; and outside of any direct pecuniary gain, they would also add to the comfort and enjoyment of all the people, beautifying and adorning our commons and squares with fountains, and making our old town more attractive to those seeking desirable homes.

The committee employed Messrs. Walter L. Bouve, of Hingham, and Henry M. Wightman, of Boston, to make preliminary surveys and furnish approximate estimates of the cost of building works of sufficient capacity to supply the town. Mr. Bouve reported that an analysis of the water of Accord Pond by Prof. William R. Nichols, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, showed it to be unusually free from animal contamination, and remarkably pure. Mr. Wightman also reported that in his opinion the pond " could be safely relied upon as a source of supply for Hingham." In concluding their report to the town the committee say : -

The capacity of the pond to afford an adequate supply both for the present and the future probable wants of the town, is shown, so far as the character of the examination would allow, to be ample. . . . The estimated cost for suitable works is about $131,000.

With this statement of the facts in the case, the question presents itself to the consideration of the inhabitants of the town whether their necessities or the advantages to be gained, or both, are of sufficient magnitude to warrant so large an expenditure.

Are we ready to tax ourselves to the extent of some $8,000 or $9,000 per year, in addition to our already large annual taxation, and hand down to a succeeding generation so large a burden of debt? Already is the question agitating our legislators whether some limit shall not be assigned beyond which city and town may not go in assuming obligations in the future ; and as wise and reasonable citizens we should carefully consider and be able to fix a limit for ourselves, independent of any legislative coercion.

The statement and estimates submitted were severely criticised. It was doubted if the water could be made to flow over Liberty Pole Hill, or if there was water enough to fill the main pipes, if they should ever be laid : the water was full of snakes and all kinds of impurities, and the pond was so shallow that a two-inch pipe would drain it in a very short time if allowed to run continually.

These, and other doubts and objections to the scheme, were met by Mr. George P. Hayward in an able address, in which he reviewed the report of the committee, and read communications from gentlemen connected with the Plymouth Water Works giving the practical working of the scheme in that place since the the building of the works in 1854.

That a new committee be chosen, to cause an estimate to be made of the expense of procuring water from Accord Pond for the use of the inhabitants of the town, and to recommend in what streets the pipes should be laid ; that the committee cause a thorough and accurate survey to be made, by a competent engineer, of the pond and of the limits to be supplied, and to report to the town at a future meeting; also, that the committee be instructed to petition the Legislature for authority to take water from Accord Pond for the use of the inhabitants of the town.

Mr. Luther Stephenson seconded the motion, and moved as an amendment that the committee be appointed by the moderator, Hon. John D. Long. E. Waters Burr, Andrew C. Cushing, Ebed L. Ripley, Geo. P. Hayward, Arthur Lincoln, Luther Stephenson, Jr., and Walter L. Bouve* were appointed the committee, to which Mr. Long was added.

This committee procured the passage of an act by the Legislature of 1876, authorizing the town of Hingham to take and hold the waters of Accord Pond and the waters that flow into and from the same, for the purpose of supplying itself and its inhabitants with pure water for domestic and other uses ; and their report to the town, made September 12, 1876, concludes as follows : - experience of many towns to guide us, and as material, labor, and moneycan now be obtained at unusually low. rates, we earnestly recommend the adoption of such means as will with judicious economy carry on to completion the proposed water-works, thus furnishing three fourths of our citizens with a constant flow of pure water, and be a means of protecting our town from the devastating effects of fire and drought.

The report was accepted, and the thanks of the town were tendered to the committee for the able manner in which the duties assigned them had been performed.

Upon a vote being taken, the meeting refused to accept the provisions of the act entitled " An Act to supply the town of Hingham with pure water," - one hundred and thirty voting in the affirmative, and one hundred and forty-one in the negative.

A second meeting was called, October 3, 1876. At this meeting the question was again decided in the negative, written ballots and the check-list being used, with a result of one hundred and forty-three yeas and one hundred and sixty-six nays.

The question was twice submitted to the people in the year 1878, with the following results : on August 19, nays, two hundred and eighty-five ; yeas, two hundred and forty-nine ; and on September 2, nays, three hundred and twenty-three ; yeas, one hundred and eighty-two.

This concluded the efforts of those interested to induce the voters of the town to avail themselves of the privileges of an act which would give them control of one of the finest sources of water supply in the State, and which would have secured to them, and their successors for all time, an ample supply of pure water. Subsequent events have proved the estimates of the engineers, and the conclusions of those who advocated the scheme, to be practically correct, and that the citizens of the town made a mistake when they so persistently refused what experience has shown to be a blessing.

The Hingham Water Company was incorporated by act of the Legislature, approved March 21, 1879, the corporate members being John D. Long, Samuel Downer, Charles B. Barnes, E. Waters Burr, David Cushing, Junior, William J. Nelson, George P. Hayward, Ebed L. Ripley, Starkes Whiton, Elijah Shute, Edmund Hersey, and George Cushing.

The act of incorporation gave the company the right to take and hold the waters of Accord Pond and the waters which flow into and from the same, with any water rights connected therewith, to convey said waters into and through the town of Hingham, or any part thereof, and to supply that part of Hull called Nantasket and Nantasket Beach, whenever the voters of Hull should accept the provisions of the act applicable to them.

Provision was also made for the taking and holding of necessary real estate, for the settlement of land and water damages and for the purchase by the town, at any time, of the corporate property, and all the rights and privileges of the company at the actual cost of the same, with interest not exceeding 10 % per annum, said cost to include all actual loss or damage paid or suffered by said company for injury to persons or property, deducting from said cost any and all dividends which may have been paid by the corporation.

Authority was given the corporation to make sale, and the town to purchase, on condition that the same is assented to by a twothirds vote at any legal meeting of the town called for the purpose.

The first meeting of the persons named in the act was held at Loring Hall, on Saturday evening, August 9, 1879. Hon. John D. Long presided, and Mr. Starkes Whiton was chosen Secretary. The act of incorporation was read and accepted and a committee chosen to draft by-laws, nominate a board of directors and other officers, and solicit subscriptions to the capital stock, which was fixed at 180,000.

A communication was read from Messrs. Goodhue and Birnie, of Springfield, in which they agreed to build the proposed works for the sum of $70,000, and Mr. Goodhue being present explained the manner of making and laying the pipes, and other matters of interest.

The first share of stock paid for was disposed of at a church fair, in one dollar subscriptions, and was awarded by lot, to one of the summer residents of the town. Subscriptions came in quite rapidly, and at an adjourned meeting held August 16, at which Mr. Ebed L. Ripley presided, it was announced that about $37,000 of the stock had been subscribed for, which, with what Messrs. Goodhue and Birnie had agreed to take, left only about $8,000 to be placed.

The Company was organized Saturday, August 23, 1879, by the choice of the following officers : Clerk, Starkes Whiton. Directors : Ebed L. Ripley, Starkes Whiton, George P. Hayward, Charles B. Barnes, E. Waters Burr, Samuel Downer, Charles L. Goodhue, Arthur Lincoln, and William J. Nelson. Auditors : Henry C. Harding, Charles Siders.

A Building Committee, consisting of the President and Treasurer, with Messrs. George P. Hayward and William J. Nelson, was afterwards chosen.

On the following Monday Messrs. Ripley and Hayward met Messrs. Goodhue and Birnie, water- works contractors of Springfield, Mass., at the office of Charles B. Barnes, in Boston, to confer with them in regard to material and method of construction.

The result of this conference was the acceptance of an offer made by them to construct and complete the works on or before July 4, 1880. Telegraphic orders were at once forwarded for shipment of material, and thus the work was practically commenced within forty-eight hours after the organization of the company. This action was afterwards confirmed by the Building Committee, and a contract was made by them with Messrs. Goodhue and Birnie to build the works according to specifications drawn by Mr. M. M. Tidd of Boston, who was employed as engineer.

On the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1879, work was commenced on Otis Street, in front of the residence of Hon. John D. Long, then Lieut.-Governor of the State, who with others was present at the ceremony of breaking ground, which at the request of Mr. Goodhue was performed by Mr. George P. Hayward, whose enthusiasm on the water question, and whose untiring efforts to push the undertaking to a satisfactory conclusion made it particularly fitting that he should commence the actual work which was to crown those efforts with success.

I congratulate you, kind friends, on the commencement of measures for furnishing you with an abundant supply of pure water. I congratulate the workingmen of Hingham, who have been selected by special agreement to assist in the construction of these works, that they are to have steady employment for many weeks. Mr. Goodhue is a workingman, and he will expect you to do your part faithfully. God speed and bless this good work.

At night six hundred feet of trench had been dug. The work was rapidly forwarded, and the first pipe was laid on Otis Street on Saturday, Sept. 13, 1879.

Near the junction of Otis Street and Downer Avenue a ledge was encountered, and at this point occurred the only serious accident which happened during the building of the works, - Dennis Scully, a ledgeman engaged in blasting, being instantly killed by a flying stone.

Work was commenced at the Pond, Oct. 9, 1879. A temporary dam of earth and wood nearly one hundred feet long was thrown across the little bay at the north end, the water was drawn out through the old mill-flume, and a sixteen-inch conduit laid into the pond some seventy feet from the gate-chamber, which was built just within the old dam. The last pipe was laid, November 25, during a heavy southwest gale which threw the spray over the coffer dam, drenching the workmen and giving rise to serious apprehensions as to the safety of the temporary structure. No accident occurred, however, and the conduit was finished, the temporary dam removed, and the permanent one repaired and strengthened by a core wall of concrete, which was subsequently extended easterly along the base of the ridge five hundred feet to cut off leakage.

Work was suspended during the winter, and commenced again in April, 1880 ; and on June 23, at eight o'clock in the evening, the main gate in the screen well at Accord Pond was partly opened by the gentleman who had so enthusiastically broken ground for the commencement of the work some nine months before ; and in about two hours the fourteen-inch main was filled as far as the gate opposite Liberty Hall. On the evening of June 25 the pipes were filled to the gate opposite the South Meeting- House. Mr. John Gushing was the first customer to receive water from his house faucet, and the first fire stream was thrown from the hydrant near his house about ten o'clock.

The remainder of the twelve-inch pipe was slowly filled. Several hydrants proved defective, and one leak was caused by the failure of a plug in the branch for Pleasant Street. These repairs delayed the work of letting on the water until June 30, when at two o'clock in the morning the first stream was thrown from the hydrant near the Railroad Station.

On the following Monday, July 5, the hydrant service was tested by the fire department, and seven effective streams were thrown at the same time in the vicinity of Broad Bridge.

Accord Pond

In 1881 the Company, under authority of an act of the Legislature, extended the pipes to Nantasket Beach and along the Jerusalem Road in Cohasset, and in 1882 to Hull village. An iron stand-pipe forty feet in diameter and forty-two feet in height was erected on Strawberry Hill on land given for the purpose by the owners of the premises.

The supply by gravity proving insufficient for the demand of the high service in Hull and on the Jerusalem Road, a pumping station was erected at Weir River, on land purchased of Celia B. Barnes, in 1884, and a Deane pumping-engine with a capacity of a million gallons in twenty-four hours was connected with the Rockland Street main to increase the pressure on the Hull and Cohasset systems. A conduit was also laid from the Foundry Pond, on land of Thomas Weston, to the pumping station as aa auxiliary supply in case of emergency.

In 1886 the consumption at the seashore having increased to such an extent as to seriously affect the pressure on the Hingham system, and the supply from the Foundry Pond being at times objectionable, the Company purchased the Fulling Mill Pond on South Pleasant Street, under authority of an act of the Legislature passed March 22, 1866, and a twelve-inch conduit was laid by Messrs. Goodhue and Birnie from this pond through private lands to the pumping station, thus furnishing an independent supply for the pump, and greatly increasing the efficiency of the whole plant.

The cost of the works to July 1, 1891, including land and water dainages, was $276,930. The main pipes extend from Fulling Mill Pond to the pumping station, and from Accord Pond through the principal streets to Downer Landing, to Windmill Point in Hull, and to Pleasant Beach in Cohasset, - a total length of 43 miles. Protection from fire is given by 187 hydrants, and water is supplied to 1,336 customers, including all the hotels, steamboats, railroads, street-watering carts, and public drinking-fountains, as well as private dwellings for domestic, lawn, and other uses.

It is fortunate for those who are thus benefited that prompt measures were taken to secure Accord Pond to Hingham, there being no other available source of supply within the limits of the town. The increase in the assessed valuation of property in Hingham for the 10 years preceding the introduction of water was $ 193,342 ; the increase for the same number of years since the works were constructed has been, as shown by the Assessors' books, $542,573.

The Board of Directors are nearly all Hingham men. With the exception of a small part of the capital stock which was taken by the contractors to show their confidence in the enterprise, both capital stock and bonds were subscribed for and are now held by residents of Hingham and their immediate personal friends, and the citizens of the town may be congratulated on the success of an undertaking so closely identified with Hingham interests.

Hingiiam Mutual Fire Insurance Company

The Hingham Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incorporated March 4, 1826. By the Act of Incorporation the persons named therein and their associates were made a corporation for twenty-eight years, with authority, when the sum subscribed by the associates to be insured should amount to fifty thousand dollars, " to insure for the term of one to seven years, any dwellinghouse or other building in the town of Hingham."

The first meeting of the Corporation was held April 12, 1826, when officers were elected and a committee chosen to " report a code of By-Laws," which were adopted May 16, 1826.

We, the subscribers, owners of Buildings within the town of Hingham, anticipating the advantages which may arise to us from having our Houses and Buildings secured against Fire, upon the only just princijDles of Insurance ; and as an Act of the General Court has been passed, incorporating a Company by the name of the " Hingham Mutual Fire Insurance Company," which provides that funds shall be raised from among the members, to be distributed among those whose Houses or Buildings should be consumed or injured by Fire, originating in any other cause except that of design in the Insured, do hereby subscribe our names as members of the same, and do bind ourselves, our Heirs, and assigns, to observe the following articles, and such other Rules as may be adopted by said Company.

The By-Laws provided that " each policy shall be for the term of seven years." By an additional Act passed Feb. 3, 1827, the Company was " authorized to insure for any term of time not less than one year, nor more than seven years, on any dwelling-house or other building, and on household furniture in the County of Plymouth," which was accepted by the Company " so far as regards buildings."

An additional Act was passed June 8, 1831, granting permission to insure " in any part of the Commonwealth." April 4, 1833, the Directors voted to insure household furniture as well as buildings, and in the same year " that no one risk be taken which shall exceed $3500, on any building, including furniture." This limit

By additional Acts of the Legislature March 23, 1847, the charter was renewed for twenty-eight years from 1854 ; and Feb. 5, 1875, the charter was extended indefinitely.

In 1881 the By laws were amended so that each policy should be written for a period of five years, and in 1889, so that policies could be written for periods or terms not exceeding five years. In 1888 the By-Laws were further amended so that the Directors, who had previously all been chosen annually, should be chosen for terms of one, two, and three years, and thereafter for three years, one third of the Board being chosen each year.

Good fortune has favored the Company from the beginning of its history. Eighty-six policies had been written on April 1,1827, insuring property to the amount of $78,533. No losses occurred under policies issued by the Company for nine years from its beginning. The first losses occurred in April and July, 1835, one in East Bridgewater and one in North Bridge water, together amounting to $1100. The first loss in Hingham occurred Oct. 29, 1842, when Mr. Quincy Bicknell's barn was burned, making a loss of $187.

The management has always been conservative, and the property insured has been confined, in the words of the By-Laws now in force, to " dwelling-houses and other buildings not considered by the Directors extra hazardous. They may also insure household furniture, wearing apparel, books, and such other articles as are kept in dwelling-houses for the pleasure and comfort of domestic life."

Its standing is, as it always has been, among the very best of the Mutual Companies in the State. To the prudent, careful management of Mr. David Harding, the first Secretary, who held that office for nearly forty-eight years, much of the success of the Company is clue. Supported by safe advisers, his administration of the Company's business leaves a record worthy of all praise.

It should be remembered that fire insurance was not so common a thing in the early days of the Company as now, and Mr. Harding saw the business increase to the amount of $18,120,211.00 at risk, while he was Secretary. The amount at risk April 1, 1&92, was $25,457,628.00.

Mr. Harding's place of business, when the Company was started, was on North Street, near the harbor, and the office of the Company, in its early years, was in the same place. During the first year the meetings of the Company were held at the " Selectmen's Room," " at the Schoolhouse near the Post Office," and " at the Schoolhouse on the Plain." The Directors' meetings were held at the Selectmen's Room, Whiton and Fearing's store, and J. Lincoln's store. April 7, 1827, the Directors "met at office."

At the beginning of 1844, the offices of the Insurance Company and the Savings Institution, of which Mr. Harding was treasurer, were moved to the second floor of the building at the junction

In 1859 a committee was appointed to confer with the Savings Institution, in reference to the purchase of a lot and the erection of a building for offices.

The lot on Main Street where the building now stands was purchased, and a contract made with Mr. David Leavitt, of Hingham, for the building, which was completed, accepted, and occupied Sept. 4, 1860.

Hingham Bank

March 25, 1833, David Whiton, Leavitt Souther, Luther J. Barnes, Nathaniel Whittemore, and Moses L. Humphrev, their associates, successors, and assigns were created a corporation by the name of " The President, Directors, and Company of the Hingham Bank," to be established in Hingham, and to continue until Oct. 1, 1851, with a capital of -$100,000, divided into shares of $100 each.

House. Ebenezer Gay was chosen president, and John 0. Lovett, cashier. The bank went into operation the same year, having its office in the Derby Academy.

March 31,1836, an increase of the capital to $150,000, in shares of $100 each, and Feb. 19, 1844, a reduction to $105,000 by changing the par value of the shares from $100 to $70, and refunding the difference to shareholders, were authorized by the Legislature.

May 2, 1849, the charter was renewed until Jan. 1, 1875, and May 25, 1853, the Legislature authorized an addition to the capital of $35,000, in shares of $70 each. The bank continued as a State bank until 1865.

The Act of Congress authorizing the establishment of national banks was passed in 1864, and April 25, 1865, the " Hingham National Bank" was chartered with a capital of $200,000 in shares of $100 each.

In October, 1873, the capital was reduced to $140,000 by changing the par value of the shares from $100 to $70. The charter has been extended to April 24, 1905.

Hingham Institution For Savings

This institution was incorporated April 2, 1834, its object being, as stated in the by-laws, " to receive and securely invest the savings of persons in moderate circumstances, who have not the means or opportunity of making investments for themselves."

We believe that savings institutions are admitted to be among the most useful which have been devised for the protection of the interests of the frugal and industrious who wish to make provision for times of need. Parents, by making their children depositors, can teach them the advantages of saving habits, and inculcate lessons of economy which may be remembered through life. Seamen particularly, who wish to invest their earnings where they will be secure in their absence, will find a great advantage in institutions of this kind. We believe that the gentlemen who have consented to manage the affairs of the institution here, from their practical experience and knowledge of the affairs of our community, are exceedingly well qualified to discharge their trust in a manner which will be highly satisfactory to all who are interested.

How well this prophecy has been verified the history of the institution testifies. The first deposit was received Dec. 24, 1834. The amount of deposits, at the end of the first year, Jan. 1, 1836, was 130,113.54. Of the 57 deposits received to draw interest from Jan. 1, 1835, three remained in 1893, and of the 264 accounts opened during the first year, eleven were still open in 1893.

The growth of the institution has doubtless exceeded the anticipation of its founders, and its usefulness has been fully proven. A single example will serve as an illustration.

One hundred dollars deposited at the opening of the institution would have amounted, at the end of fifty years (1885), to 81,708.64, showing an average annual gain of 832.17.

To the faithful services of those who have been intrusted with the interests of the depositors, the success of the institution is due. Mr. David Harding, the father, and Mr. Henry C. Harding, the son, have been the only treasurers from the beginning. For over twenty-eight years Mr. David Harding performed his duties with such integrity as to inspire universal confidence, and much of the early prosperity of the institution was due to his care and faithfulness. He laid the foundation upon which the structure grew. On the occasion of his retirement in 1863, he was presented by the Trustees with a valuable piece of plate, appropriately inscribed, as a testimonial to the value of his services.

It is but simple justice to say, also, that the interests of the depositors have been promoted by vigilant Trustees and careful and judicious Boards of Investment.

The organization of the above Institution having been completed, notice is hereby given that the Treasurer will attend at the Hingham Bank on the last Saturday of every month, between the hours of 10 and 12 o'clock, to receive deposits, and transact other business. Persons wishing to make deposits on any other day can do so by calling on the Treasurer at the office of the Insurance Company.

The office was on North Street, near the harbor. The annual meetings were held at the Hingham Bank until January, 1845, and afterwards at the Treasurer's office. The first meeting of the Trustees was held at the Hingham Bank, Nov. 24, 1834, and their meetings continued to be held there until January, 1838. After that date the January meetings only were held at that place.

January, 1836, it was " Voted, That the Board of Investment provide an office for the use of the Institution which shall be the place for transacting business on the regular deposit days." This office was with that of the Insurance Company on North Street, near the harbor, until both were moved in January, 1824, to the second floor of the building at the junction of North and South streets, now occupied (1893) by the Isaac Little Hose Company.

Sept. 4, 1860, the office was moved to the new building on Main Street, which had been built for the purpose, in connection with the Insurance Company, where it has since remained. The following have been the officers of the Institution : -

Hingham Co-Operative Bank

In the spring of 1889, a number of young men of Hingham, learning of the success of the Massachusetts co-operative banks, their almost absolute safety for depositors, the advantage of and encouragement to saving offered by their system of monthly deposits, ranging from one dollar to twenty-five, according to the desire of each shareholder, the immediate participation of every dollar, as soon as paid, in an equal share of the profits of the institution with every other dollar, their advantage to borrowers by giving them the opportunity to repay their loan in regular monthly payments together with a small ultimate cost for interest, and.

their benefit to the community where located by encouraging saving, home-building, and home-owning, - determined to organize one here and call it the Hingham Co-operative Bank.

The interest of some older men, who are always ready to encourage any project for the good of the town and its people, was secured, and on Wednesday evening, April 17, 1889, a public meeting was held at Grand Army Memorial Hall, when Hon. Starkes Whiton delivered an address on " The advantage of a cooperative bank to a community and their business methods." Mr. Whiton, whose duties as one of the commissioners of Savings Banks for the Commonwealth had made him familiar with the co-operative bank system, also delivered the address at a public meeting, preliminary to organization, at Loring Hall, Saturdav evening, April 20, 1889.

On Tuesday evening, May 28, 1889, a meeting for organization was held at Grand Army Memorial Hall. By-laws were adopted and the following officers elected : -

June 1, 1889, The Hingham Co-operative Bank was granted a charter by the Commonwealth, and on the evening of the fifth was opened for business in Loring Hall.

Lieut. Governor Brackett, who was to have made the opening address, being unable to be present, the address was delivered by Horace G. Wadlin, Chief of the Massachusetts Bureau of Labor Statistics. D. Eldredge, the Secretary and Treasurer of the Pioneer Co-operative Bank of Boston, - the first co-operative bank organized under the laws of Massachusetts, - also of the Homestead and Guardian Co-operative Banks of Boston, followed Mr. Wadlin, and explained the system. Four hundred and seven shares were sold at this meeting, and $400 was sold to a borrower at five cents premium. Joseph 0. Burdett was appointed the bank's attorney at this meeting.

On the 31st of December, 1892, there had been 2,790 shares issued in eight series, of which 2,517 shares are now in force. The real estate loans amount to $55,050.00 ; the share loans amount to $2,850.00 ; and the total assets amount to $59,493.43. Since organization there had been paid to withdrawing shareholders $4,074.25. Forty-one of the members are now paying for their homes through the bank.

Losing Hall

In May, 1845, a public meeting of ladies was held for the purpose of ascertaining how many were disposed to co-operate in " a vigorous effort " to supply the want of " a commodious and suitable building for Lectures, Picnics, and Social Meetings of all kinds." At this meeting it was determined by the ladies to hold " a fair to aid in building a Lyceum Hall," and a committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the attainment of the object. The ladies composing this committee, and who persevered to the end, were -

By means of a Fair, a Concert, a Social Party, etc., the committee, with the aid of many others who felt an interest in the undertaking, succeeded in obtaining the sum of $659.56, which was deposited in the Hingham Institution for Savings, until withdrawn to be applied to the object for which it was designed. The fund had accumulated, when thus applied, to the amount of $926.77.

In 1851, by the kind suggestion of a lady who took a deep interest in the project, the wants of this community were made known to Col. Benjamin Loring, of Boston. He immediately offered to supply the funds necessary for the erection of a suitable building;.

town had caused in him a desire to do something which might be a permanent memorial of that sentiment, and this project seemed to afford him such an opportunity.

In July, 1851, the committee of ladies had appointed Robert T. P. Fiske, Caleb B. Marsh, Ebenezer Gay, and Solomon Lincoln to purchase a site for the Hall. A lot was purchased of Thomas Loring, situated on Main Street, near the Old Meeting-house, and the funds of the ladies were expended in paying for the lot and in preparing a foundation for the Hall.

To carry his design into effect, Colonel Loring appointed a building committee, which as finally constituted consisted of the following persons : -

The plans, drawings, and specifications for the building were made by Ammi B. Young, of Boston. A contract for its erection was made Oct. 31, 1851, with Samuel Virgin, of Boston.

The building was built with reference to commodiousness and utility, and contains on the lower floor a hall, kitchen, and dressing-rooms, and on the main floor a hall with a seating capacity of from four to five hundred persons. The dimensions of the building are 45 by 68 feet.

Upon the completion of the building, Mrs. Elijah Loring, of Boston, and her daughters, Miss Abby M. Loring and Mrs. Cornelia W. Thompson, generously contributed the means for purchasing settees, chandeliers, lamps, mirrors, sofa, tables, carpets, chairs, and other appropriate furniture for the various rooms, at an expense of 8619.93. Col. Loring also contributed a further sum of -1372.77, for the cost of a furnace, extra work, etc., making the amount expended by him as follows : -

The building was dedicated by appropriate services Oct. 14, 1852. On that occasion there were remarks by Solomon Lincoln, who gave a brief history of the undertaking, and read Colonel Loring's deed of trust, and by Colonel Loring, who addressed the audience at considerable length, giving an interesting sketch of his early life, a concise statement of his motives in causing the hall to be built, and an explanation of the trust deed. At the close of his remarks he delivered the deed to Marshall Lincoln, who received it in behalf of the Trustees, and stated that it would be their endeavor to fulfil the wishes of the generous donor in accordance with the spirit and letter of the deed ; and that the Trustees had voted at their first meeting to give to the edifice the name of Loring Hall. After singing, an appropriate prayer was offered by Rev. Joseph Richardson ; then a Hymn of Dedication, composed for the occasion by James Humphrey Wilder, was read by Rev. Albert Case, and sung with fine effect.

An address was delivered by Rev. Oliver Stearns, of which the subject was " Knowledge : Its Relation to the Progress of Mankind ; " and the exercises were closed by singing.

After the conclusion of the services, Col. Loring and his friends and other invited guests, together with the several committees of ladies and gentlemen who had been concerned in the preparatory arrangements for the occasion, repaired to the lower hall, where they partook of an elegant and bountiful repast, and passed an hour or more very agreeably in the interchange of congratulations and other pleasant social intercourse.

Solomon Lincoln presided at the entertainment. He called upon George S. Hillard and Joseph Andrews of Boston (the former once a resident and the latter a native of Hingham), both of whom responded in very interesting and agreeable speeches. Thomas Loring also favored the assembly with a sketch of the fortunes of the brothers Loring, and of their eminent success in life.

The festivities of the occasion were closed by a ball in the evening, which was attended by several hundred ladies and gentlemen. Col. Loring visited the hall in the evening, and was received by the managers in presence of the large company in a manner expressive of their deep sense of his munificence to the inhabitants of Hingharn.

Deed Of Trust

To all Men to whom these Presents shall come, Benjamin Loring, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, stationer, sends greeting :

Whereas a certain lot of land, hereinafter described, in the town of Hingham, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, was heretofore purchased for the sum of five hundred dollars by certain ladies of the said town of Hingham, and the foundation for a hall was built thereupon by them ; and whereas the said lot of land, with the said foundation, was conveyed to me by Thomas Loring, of said Hingham, by deed dated August 14th, A. D. 1851, and recorded with the records of deeds in Plymouth county, Lib. 245, fol. 264, with the understanding and agreement that I should cause to be erected thereupon, at my own charge, a building or hall, to be used for the purposes hereinafter set forth ; and whereas the said hall has been built and I am now desirous of making such conveyance of the said premises as shall carry into effect my purposes and wishes in the erection of said hall ;

Now know ye that I, the said Benjamin Loring, in consideration of the premises, hereby give, grant, release and assign unto Marshal Lincoln, mason, Robert Treat Paine Fiske, physician, Joseph Sprague, merchant, Joseph B. Thaxter, jun., optician, Solomon Lincoln, Esquire, Caleb B. Marsh, sail-maker, and George Studley, cabinet-maker, all of Hingham aforesaid, a lot of land, with the building thereon, lying on Main street in said Hingham, bounded and described as follows : Beginning at the easterly corner thereof, against land of John Baker, and running south forty-one degrees west, one hundred and seven feet and nine inches ; then turning and running north forty-nine degrees west, seventy-one feet ; then turning and running north forty-one degrees east, one hundred and four feet and nine inches to Main street ; and then southeasterly by Main street to the corner first started from. With all rights and privileges to the premises belonging.

To have and to hold the aforegranted premises to them the said Marshal Lincoln, Robert Treat Paine Fiske, Joseph Sprague, Joseph B. Thaxter, jun., Solomon Lincoln, Caleb B. Marsh and George Studley, and to the survivor of them and to the heirs and assigns of such survivor forever, as joint-tenants and not as tenants in common, but to the uses and upon the special trust and confidence as hereinafter provided, and none other.

This conveyance is made in token of my interest in my native town, and my wish to promote the happiness and improvement of its inhabitants, and is made upon the trust that the aforesaid trustees and their successors forever, shall hold the said premises for the specific use and benefit of the inhabitants of that part of Hingham which was comprised in the territory of the Old North parish of the said town ; not intending hereby to exclude the inhabitants of the other parts of Hingham from such benefit of this grant as may be consistent with the special use herein before declared.

The said Trustees and their successors shall allow the said hall to be used and opened for religious, moral, philanthropic, literary, scientific and political meetings and discussions, and also for social entertainments and all forms of lawful amusement, at such times, upon such conditions, under such regulations and upon such terms, as the said trustees and their successors shall in their discretion prescribe.

The said Trustees shall always be seven in number, and shall be chosen from the inhabitants of the said parochial territory of North Hingham ; and in case that any trustee shall remove his residence from said parochial territory, such removal shall vacate his said office of trustee. And in case of the death, resignation, or removal of any trustee, the remaining or surviving trustees shall forthwith, by a majority of votes of their whole number, elect a new trustee , and the said surviving trustees, in case the said vacancy shall have happened by death, or the resigning or removing trustee in case the said vacancy shall have happened by resignation or removal, shall make and deliver to the newly-elected trustee, such conveyance as shall vest in him a legal title to one undivided seventh part of the said estate. And I impose no restrictions on the said trustees as to the election of their successors, but it is my desire that they shall discharge this trust in a conscientious manner, and choose worthy, discreet and upright men, and not be swayed by prejudice or partiality, having regard to the spirit of their trust and the good of all concerned.

The said trustees shall keep the premises hereby conveyed insured against fire, in good condition and proper repair, and shall provide for their due superintendence, oversight, and care ; and for these purposes, they are and shall be authorized to charge such amount for the use of the same or any part thereof as shall defray the expenses requisite for the aforesaid purposes, and all taxes lawfully assessed on said estate ; and they may in their discretion charge such further sum therefor as shall defray, in whole or in part, the expenses of any course of lectures which they may deem it advisable to have delivered in the hall.

And in case the conditions of this trust shall not be complied with, this gift shall be void, and the property shall be disposed of in such a manner as may be ordered in my last will and testament.

In witness whereof, I the said Benjamin Loring have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

Personally appeared the above-named Benjamin Loring, and ackuowedged the foregoing instrument by him subscribed to be his free act and deed.

In addition to the amount expended, as stated above, by Col. Loring, he gave by his will " to the Trustees of 'the Loring Hall,' in Hingham, the sum of one thousand dollars, to be kept invested, on interest, and the income applied to the upholding, repairing, and embellishing the building."

Having made a provision in the deed of trust that in case the conditions of the trust should not be complied with, the said grant and gift should be void, he made further provision in his will in case of such a violation of the conditions, as follows : -

I do devise and bequeath to the Corporation known as " Derby Academy," in said Hingham, and to their successors forever all my right, title, and interest in the lands, Hall, and premises described and referred to in said Deed of Trust.

In 1887 Mr. Charles Loring Young, of Boston, gave to the Trustees a portrait of Colonel Loring, his great-uncle, in trust, to be placed and kept in the hall. It is an excellent copy, by Otto Grundman, of the original, in Mr. Young's possession, painted by Chester Harding.

Wilder Memorial

Martin Wilder1 was born in Hingham Nov. 16, 1790, and died in Boston March 26, 1854. He was a descendant of Edward Wilder, who settled in Hingham in 1637. Martin was one of that remarkable family of twenty-one brothers and sisters, seventeen of whom lived to maturity, fifteen of them being married^ He was a " carriage-smith by profession," as his will states, and early in life he moved away from his native town, but always retained a strong affection for it. In his will, which was admitted to probate in Suffolk County, April 24, 1854, are several legacies, among them one giving to the " shareholders of the Third or Social Library, so called, in Hingham, situated in the South Parish thereof, my library . . . and book-case in which said books are deposited." The " residue " of his property, both real and personal, he gave to Crocker Wilder, James S. Beal, and Andrew Cushing, in trust, to form and establish a fund to be called " The Wilder Charitable Fund," for the purpose of making loans of money from $100 to $300, to such young men, residents of the South Parish, in Hingham, as had served a regular apprenticeship at some mechanical business, with which to purchase tools and stock, when they commenced business for themselves ; to maintain an evening school for boys in said South Parish ; and to purchase wood and coal for the comfort of the poor and destitute in said South Parish, - all under certain conditions imposed by the testator.

The trustees, finding it undesirable and impracticable to carry out all the wishes of Mr. Wilder in the manner prescribed by the will, especially those relating to the maintenance of an evening school, sought relief from the Supreme Judicial Court, and the cause being heard, a decree was issued by Mr. Justice Endicott,, in 1878, which contains certain orders relating to the Fund, one clause of which is the following : -

Third. That this cause be referred to Jonathan White, of Brockton, in the County of Plymouth, Counsellor at Law, as a special master, to hear the parties and such evidence as may be offered and report to this Court a scheme by which the residue of the income of said Trust property, including one-half of the income of said fund of one thousand dollars, and the surplus of income now in the hands of said Trustees not herein designated to be applied to the poor, can be used for educational purposes under the will aforesaid, in a manner most beneficial to the inhabitants within the precincts named in the will.

Testimony was taken, the matter was considered by Mr. White, and his report was filed Nov. 20, 1878, whereupon the followingdecree was issued : -

Decree

The report of the master to whom it was referred, by a decree entered in this cause, to report a scheme, by which a certain fund, being the accumulation of income referred to in the will, and held by the plaintiffs as Trustees, under the will of Martin Wilder, late of Hingham, deceased, can be used for educational purposes, under tbe will, in a manner most beneficial to the inhabitants of that portion of the town of Hingham, designated in the will, as the South Parish, and in a manner not inconsistent with the objects named in said will, having come in and been filed in this cause, November 20th, 1878, and no exception having been taken thereto,

It is ordered, adjudged, and decreed, that the plaintiffs, Trustees as aforesaid, shall appropriate and expend from out the said fund, together with additions thereto, from accruing income mentioned in the third clause of the former decree entered in this cause, and from accruing income from the same source, within one year from the filing of this decree, a sum not exceeding six thousand dollars, in the erection of a building in the vicinity of the Meeting-house in said Parish, for the use and benefit of the inhabitants aforesaid, under such rules and regulations as the Trustees shall from time to time establish under the authority conferred by this decree.