MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. BY FRANCIS IL LINCOLN. COUNTY RELATIONS. HiNGHAM is in the County of Plymouth, but was never a part of the Plymouth Colony. It was a part of the Colony of Massa. ebusetts Bay. May 10, 1643, the Colony of Massachusetts Bay was divided into four counties, namely, Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, and Nor- folk. The last was composed of the towns of Haverhill, Salisbury, Hampton, Exeter, Dover, and Strawberry Bank (Portsmouth). The four last-named towns havinga been 11 taken off " upon the separation of New Hampshire from Massachusetts in 1680, the others were set back to Essex Feb. 4, 1680, and the original County of Norfolk ceased to exist. Hingham and Hull were in Suffolk,- Cohasset being until 1770 a part of Hingham. The County of Norfolk, as incorporated March 26,1793, included all the original territory of Suffolk except the towns of Boston and Chelsea. Hingham, Hull, and Collasset, therefore, were to be- come a part of the new County of Norfolk, but before the new county went into operation as such, the act establishing it was re- pealed" so far as it respects the towns of Hingham and Hull," June 20, 1793. Hingham and Hull therefore remained in Suffolk until June 13, 1803, when they were Bet off from Suffolk and annexed to the County of Plymouth. POPULATION. The following table shows the population of Hingluun, accord- ing to all the official censuses which have ever been taken: - 1765. Colonial Census (includ. i"5 Cohasset) . . . . . 2467 1776 Colonial Census . . . 2087 1790. United States Census 2085 1800. 11 11 2112 1810. 11 4 9 2382 1820. 2857 1830. 3387 1840. 3504 1850. United States Census .3980 1855. State Census . . . . 4257 1860. United States Census . 4351 1865. State Census . . . . 4176 1870. United States Census . 4422 1875. State Census . . . . 4654 IS80. United States Census 4485 1885. State Census . . . 4375 1890, United States Census 4564 1 1776, Cohasset, 754. 380 History of Hingham. ATINSTI(AUQPQ AVn WnR ITO 0V_q There were two classes of people whose condition affected the general welfare, to which the colonists gave early consideration; and the same classes exist to-day as they always have and always will in society. They comprise, in the words of the early laws and the later statutes, those who are 11 poor and indigent and want means to employ themselves," and those " who neglect and refuse to exercise any lawful calling or business to support themselves." In other words, society recognizes the justice of helping those who would work but cannot, and of compelling those to work who can but will not. A colony law of 1639 gives authority to certain magistrates to dispose of poor persons in 11 such towns as they shall judge to Ile most fit for the maintenance and employment of such persons and families for the case of this country." Further colony and province laws relating to the care of the poor were passed in 1669, 1674, 1675, and 1720, and one in 1692, providing for the compulsory employment of 11 idle persons and loiterers." In 1743 [17 George 11. Ch. 2] there was passed 1~ an Act for erecting work-houses for the reception and employment of the idle and indigent." This was the first general law authorizing towns to erect such houses, and it was essentially the same as the Massa- chusettB Act of 1788, Chapter 30, which has been practically in force to the present time, being modified from time to time as advancing civilization required. This is so well-known a department of our social system that it is ?lot necessary to recite the details of the laws relating to it. It is sufficient to say that the common law of humanity prompts all Christian people to lend a willing, helping hand to the help- less, and the exact and inexorable law of justice demands that every able-bodied member of the human race should perform his part in maintaining and promoting general prosperity. Until 1786 the poor of Hingham were boarded out in private families at the town's expense. In 1784, or early in 1786, 11 the House for the poor of the town was erected. The building, which is now private property, stands on its original site, on the westerly side of Short Street, and the account rendered by the committee, dated March 3, 1786, shows that it cost, including the well, X3T3 17s. 2d. Among the dis- bursements in 1786 authorized by the selectmen is one of X14 14s., paid to Joshua Loring 11 for Overseeing the Poor." Ile was the first keeper of the Almsbouse. The Selectmen's Records for the annual town-meeting, March 6, 1786, show amounts paid to John Cushing for carting goods to the workhouse, and to Charles ff,tiscellaneous Katters. 381 Cushing for wood for the workhouse. It seems probable that this house was first occupied in 1785. The second house was a brick structure which stood on the tri- angle -of 1_1 111111,,ded 1, M-.,Iin, Pond, And Pleasant streets, and W.- -11 -_ UY was built in 1817. it was destroyed by fire Nov. 19, 1831. The following account of the fire is from the Hingham Gazette: - 11 Our village was alarmed on Saturday morning last, at about one o'clock, by the cry of fire in the Almshouse. The fire had advanced so far when discovered that the few individmils who were on the spot, after all ineffectual attempt to extinguish it, thought it most prudent to remove immediately all the inmates of the house, the town paupers, records, furniture, etc., in which they were successful. The engine companies were on the ground promptly with their engines, but the progress of the fairies was go rapid that they could do nothing more than protect other property which was exposed. Within two hours from the time they ar- rived the building was consumed and its brick walls fell in. By this calamity the town sustains a loss estimated from $4,000 to $5,000, and at a season of the year when it will be impracticable to repair the loss. The Overseers of the Poor have caused the dwelling-house belonging to the town, oil the Alinshouse lot, to be fitted up for the reception of a considerable portion of the pool-, which, together with the accommodations hospitably tendered by the overseers of some of the neighboring towns and the kindness of friends, will enable them to place them all in a comfortable situation during the winter." Steps were taken by the town to supply the place of the Alms- house thus destroyed, and at a town-meetin~ held Feb. 14, 1832, a committee made a detailed report in refution to the s!to and kind of a building proposed to be erected. This counnittee recoin- mended to the town " the purchase of a tra4 of land lying upon Weymouth Back River, adjoining the Hingham and Quincy turn. pike, containing about 43 acres, consisting of tillage, mowing, pasture, woodland, and salt marsh, at an estimated cost of $2,000, and the erection of a brick building 70 feet in length, three stories in height (including the basement), with a projection in front, and two brick partition-walls separating the centre frorn the wings, at an estimated cost of 84,749.02." The report was accepted and the recommendations adopted, The land was pur- chased, since known as the 11 Town Farin," and contracts were made for the building which was erected in 1832. It was the saine building which has since been in use as an almshouse and workhouse. The entire cost of the 11 Almsbouse Establishment," accordin~ to the U . hed reports of the town, which include land, almsho4e, blis pump, vard to house, shed and other ontbuildinp, burn, cholera-lions~, and cells, amounted to $10,839.94. As these houses were established mainly in the interest of in- dustry, it would be interesting to know how the inmates were 382 History of Hingham. employed before the purchase of the farm. The farm gives those initiates who are willing to work an opportunity to do so, and compels those who are naturally idle to contribute something lowards ` ` suppo" The prod-d- .. I +h. L U MULL muppulu. ...V -.1 ises are sold, and the income thus produced decreases somewhat the annual expense to the town. These houses were also retreats for the insane, whose condition was greatly changed for the better upon their removal to the Town Farm. Instead of being confined as they had been, it was found that the policy of giving them greater freedom operated favorably, and it proved in many cases that a considerable amount of labor could be performed by them. A liberal sum has always been appropriated yearly by the town for the support of the poor both in and out of the house, and it is with pride that we point to the comparatively small amount of actual poverty in the town. TOWN HOUSE. All the town-meetings were held in the Old Meeting-house from January, 1681-2, to October, 1780. After that date, to accommo- date the voters residing in the south part of the town, some of the meetings were held in the meeting-liouse of the Second Parish. March 13, 1827, the First Parish voted 11 that no more Town meetings sball be held in the meeting-house of the First Parish, from and after the last day of February next." After that date meetirgs were held in the hall of the Derby Academy, or in the meeting-house of the Second Parish until the erection of a Town House. I May 7, 1844, a contract was made by a building committee, ap- pointed by the town, with Samuel G. Bayley, in which Mr. Bayley agreed that he would 11 on or before the first day of November next, erect, build, and complete, on a lot of land situated on Main Street, in said Hingham, being the premises purchased by the said Inhabitants of the Town of Hingham, for that purpose, of John Loring, a Town Hall " for the sum of $3,400. It stood on Alain Street, opposite the present site of the Evangelical Congregational Church. The building was never very satisfactory and finally proved to be inadequate for the needs of the town. In 1872 the town took a lease of the parts of Agricultural Hall which had been pro- pared for its use, for fifteen years from Oct. 1, 1872, at an annual rent of $700. The lease was renewed for fifteen years from Oct. 1, 1887, at an annual rent of $750, - the Agricultural Society having constructed a fire-proof brick vault for the purpose of preserving the papers and documents of the town, and granting a more general use of the building than under the former lease. Miscellaneous Halters. 383 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS. The 20(ith anniversary of the settlement of the town was cele. brated Sept. 28, 1835, with fitting ceremonies. The day was ushered in with the ringing of bells, and at an early hour the gathering commenced from various parts of the town. There was a procession escorted by the Hingham Rifle Company, Capt. Cor- bett, and the Washington Guards, Capt. Caziieau. Among the distinguished guests were Liout.-Governor Armstrong, Ilon. John Quincy Adams, and Col. Robert C. Winthrop. In the forenoon there were exercises in the Old Meeting-house, including an address by Hon. Solomon Lincoln. In the afternoon there was a dinner in a pavilion erected for the occasion near the Old Colony House, at which Hon. Ebenezer Gay presided, fol- lowed by addresses from the Lieutenant-Governor, Hon. Peleg Sprague, Mr. Adams, and others. There was also a ladies' col- lation in Willard Hall. The celebration was in all respects satisfactory, and highly honorable to the town. In like manner the 260th anniversary of the settlement of the town was celebrated Sept. 16, 1886. There was ringing of the bells, a national salute of thirty-eight guns, a procession, exercises in the Old Meeting-house, with an address by Mr. Solomon Lin- cola, son of the former orator, a dinner in Agricultural Hall, itnd illuminations. Governor Robinson, escorted by the First Corps of Cadets, M. V. M., commanded by Lieut -Col. Edmands, was the chief guest. Hon. John D. Long was president of the day, and there were many interesting addresses at the dinner. A full account of each of these celebrations is in print, and both occasions were marked by general rejoicing and festivity through- out the town. POST OFFICES. The records of the Post Office Department at Washington give the followitiv: - OFFICE. Hingham, Mass. POSTMASTER. DATE OF Levi Lincoln Thomas Thaxter Elisba Cushing . . . . . . . Thomas Loud . . . . . . . . John Kingman . . . . . . . Rufus W. Lincoln . . . . . . Charles B. W. Lane . . . . . Hosea J. Garduer . . . . . . Charles Siders . . . . . . . Abigail W. Gardner . . . . . Edwin Wilder, 2d . . . . . . George M. Hudson . . . . . . Edwin Wilder, 2d (reappointed) . APPOINTMENT. Apr. 1, 1795 Apr. 1, 1797 Feb. 13, 1809 Sept. 15, IS15 Mar. 2, IS39 Alav 11, 1812 Fe6. 19, 1953 Jan. 7, 1954 Feb. 24, 1857 Mar. 15, 1858 Oct. 29, 1863 Oct. 13, 1866 May 27, 1868 OFFICE. Hingham, Mass. . . . South Hingham . - - Hingham Centre . . . West Hingham . . . POSTMASTER. DATE OF Edwin Wilder (reappointed) . . George Cushing . . . . . . . Quing Lane . . . . . . . . Ezekiel Feariug . . . . . . . Ebenezer C. Fearing . . . . . Edmund French . . . . . . . Andrew Cushing . . . . . . . Josiah Lane . . . . . . . . Alonzo Cushing . . . . . . . William Cushing . . . . . . Henry Siders . . . . . . . . Daniel Wing . . . . . . . . Hawkes Fearing . . . . . . . Peter N. Sprague . . . . . . . Seth Sprague, 2d . . . . . . Bela F. Lincoln . . . . . . . APPOINTMENT. June 29, 1883 Feb. 28, 1888 Mar. 28, 1833 Aug. 27, 1853 Oct. 28, 1853 June 6, 1854 Jan. 25, 1855 June 18, 1867 Jan. 17, 1872 June 29, 1881 July 15, 1869 Dec. 21, 1674 Dec. 28, 1875 Mar. 22, 1680 Nov. 20, 1888 June 25, 1881 The above list was furnished, in March, 1890, by Mr. Marshall Cushing [11. 180 private secretary to Postmaster-General Wanamaker. Of t~ile above-named, George M. Hudson, Ezekiel Fearing, and Ebenezer C. Fearing do not appear to have qualified themselves to act. The Hingham post-office has always been kept within a stone's throw of Broad Bridge. Thomas Thaxter kept it in Loring's Building, on the westerly side of Main Street, at Broad Bridge, where the Federalists used to assemble and discuss the affairs of the town. Elisha Cushing kept it in the building which formerly stood on the southeasterly corner of Main and South streets. Thomas Loud kept it in his batter's-shop on the hill in front of the Academy until the hill was removed, after which be kept it in Loring's Building. Here it was kept also by John Kingman and Rufus W. Lincoln until the latter removed it to the central part of Ford's Building, across, Thaxter's Bridge. In 1853 Charles B. W. Lane removed it to his store at the junction of North and South streets, which is now the Isaac Little Hose house. Hosea J. Gardner moved it to the building at the northeasterly corner of Main and South streets. Here it was kept for a time by Mr. Gardner, Mr. Siders, and Miss Gardner, and then removed to Sonth Street in the new Lincoln Building, nearly on the same site as that occupied by previous postmasters in the Loring Building. It remained continuously in the Lincoln Building until George Cushing's appointment, when he removed it to the building on the northwest side of South Street, just east of Main Street. The South Hingham post-office was first kept by Quincy Lane in his store on the east side of Main Street. Seth S. Hersey moved it farther north to the building next to his dwelling-honse. Edmund French kept it near the present residence of Charles W. Cushing. Andrew Cushing kept it in the southerly end of his house. Josiah Lane moved it to his store, which was its original Miscellaneous Matters. 385 location under Quincy Lane, and it has been kept in that place ever since. ' The Hingham Centre post-office was kept in the Public Library Building until the appointment of Uapt. Peter N. Sprague wheil it was removed to the building at the junction of Main and School streets, where it has since remained. The West Hingham post-office has been from its establishment in the West Hingham railroad station. CUSTOM-HOUSE. In 1831 Hingham became 11 a port of delivery in the District ,of Boston and Charlestown," with a deptity-collector. From the official correspondence on file at the Boston Custom-House it seems evident that the port was established Feb. 23, 1831, and continued to be such for forty-five years. For many years the records of the office give evidence of quite an amount of commerce here, but gradually the vessels diminished in number until at last there was little left for the deputy to do, and the office was abolished. The following is a list of the deputy-collectors of Hingham John Lane appointed Jedediah Lincoln Henry Thaxter Edward Cuncau John K. Corbett Henry C. Wilder Isaac Winslow Feb. 23, 1831, Feb. 28, 1835. April 1, 1839. May 8, 1816. May 4, 1849. June 21, 1853. Sept. 10, 1861. Office abolished Aug. 31, 1876. From Mav 26, 1840, John K. Corbett appears to have acted, during the administration of Henry Thaxter, in granting licenses or enrolment, probably as inspector, and at other times ? inspectors have signed the record for the deputy. HINGHAM AND QUINCY BRIDGE AND TURNPIKE CORPORATION. The Act of Incorporation was dated March 5, 1808. The bridges and turnpike were built and completed, as appears by a report of the committee provided by the Act of 1808, and b ' v them diil ' v accepted Nov. 19, 1812, but they had been used for 1"iblic travel before that date. The first meeting of the proprietors for the purpose of organization was held in Quincy, Feb. 2, 1812. The final meeting was held in Hingham, July 15, 1863. The Act dissolving the corporation w... assed April 30, 1862, and the bridues were mad free July 4M64. 386 History of Hingham. The amount of orders drawn on the Treasurer for expen- ditures in building the bridges, etc., as reported Jan. 18, 1813, was . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22,798.98 Allowances to directors, treasurer, and Clerk . . . v4z.oo $23,771.81 There were additional expenditures and subsequent assessments to pay the cost of the bridges, and expenses of various petitioners for the Act of Licorporation. The amount received from the counties of Norfolk and Plymouth on the final dissolution of the corporation, including the expenses, of commissioners, was $17,810.15. Lemuel Brackett, of Quincy, was clerk of the corporation from 1818 until his resignation in 1855, when his son Jeffrey R. Brackett, was chosen and re-clected during the remainder of the existence of the corporation. Martin Fearing, of Hingham, was president of the directors from 1820 until the corporation ceased to exist. Thomas Cushing was tell- gatherer from 1818 until 1862, and was retained by the selectmen having the care of the bridges afterwards. A history of the Corporation was published in the Quincy Pa- triot of Feb. 27, 1864, and there was an account of a celebration, on the bridges becoming free, published in the Quincy Patriot of July 9, 1864. TOWN SEAL. ADOPTED MARCH 8, 1886.