USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Hingham > History of the town of Hingham, Massachusetts, vol 1 > Part 1
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14.
PHIPPEN.
FITZPEN
OR
Mass.
2
Zur. Chippen.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from
The Institute of Museum and Library Services through an Indiana State Library LSTA Grant
http://www.archive.org/details/historyoftownofh11hing
HISTORY.
OF THE
TOWN OF HINGHAM,
MASSACHUSETTS.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOLUME I. - PART I. HISTORICAL.
HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF HINGHAM,
MASSACHUSETTS.
IN THREE VOLUMES. VOLUME I. - PART I. HISTORICAL.
PUBLISHED BY THE TOWN. 1893.
University Press : JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE.
PREFACE.
IN the year 1827 a HISTORY OF HINGHAM was compiled 4 by Solomon Lincoln, Jr., which was published by Caleb Gill, Jr., and Farmer and Brown, of Hingham. It was a small volume of one hundred and eighty-three pages, the work of private enterprise, and only three hundred copies were printed. Many of the copies have been destroyed or lost, or distributed among the families of persons who have removed from Hingham; collec- tors of rare books have also contributed to make the work still more scarce, and of greatly enhanced money value ; so that it has been difficult to secure information concerning the early annals of the town. Moreover the last half-century has been prolific with changes in our local affairs as important as any in all our previous history. It therefore became a matter of sufficient public interest for the town to take some action in relation to the publication of its history, and at the annual meeting in 1882 a committee was appointed to consider the expedi- ency of publishing a History of Hingham. This committee made a report at the annual town meeting, in 1883, recom- mending "that the town cause a History of Hingham to be prepared and published, and that a committee be appointed to have entire charge of the publication."
3
vi
Preface.
The report was accepted, the recommendations adopted, and the following committee appointed to carry the same into effect, viz. : -
GEORGE LINCOLN. E. WATERS BURR. EDMUND HERSEY.
FEARING BURR. ELIJAH SHUTE. AMASA WHITING.
JOHN CUSHING. HENRY STEPHENSON. JOSEPH O. BURDETT.
FRANCIS H. LINCOLN. JOHN D. LONG.
WALTER L. BOUVÉ.
Amasa Whiting was unable to serve, and Arthur Lincoln was appointed in his place.
Liberal appropriations have been made by the town from time to time, for the accomplishment of the work.
The first question which confronted the committee was, " Who shall write the History ?" It was agreed at once that for the preparation of the Genealogies of Hingham families Mr. George Lincoln was best fitted, on account of the amount of material already in his possession, his many years of research, and his familiarity with the families of the town. He was therefore employed by the com- mittee to furnish that portion of the work. Had there been known to the committee any one person possessing the ability and taste for historical writing, the leisure to devote to it, and familiarity with the history and tra- ditions of our town, he would have given to the work a uniformity of style and continuity of narrative which is very desirable. But no one answering this description appeared to be available, and as assurances of a willing- ness to write upon special topics were given by several of our citizens, who seemed to be well adapted to such special work. the plan was decided upon which has its fulfilment in the following pages of " Historical " matter. The work of these authors has been without compensation other than
vii
Preface.
the pleasure and satisfaction gained from the study of the past, and at much cheerful and voluntary sacrifice of time and strength. Many of the illustrations have been procured through the enthusiasm of some of our local amateur photographers.
The work has grown far beyond any original expecta- tion of its magnitude, and, as it is, much has of necessity been omitted which it might be profitable and interesting to preserve; the patience of the town has been taxed through many years of anxious waiting ; but it is hoped that the perusal of these pages, with their narratives of past accomplishments, may inspire a patriotic pride among our citizens to maintain an honorable place in the world's history for the Town of Hingham.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
VOLUME I. - PART I.
PAGE
THE GEOLOGY OF HINGHAM
Thomas T. Bouvé
1
MINERALOGY
66
75
NOTES ON ANIMAL LIFE
66
79
THE BOTANY OF HINGHAM
66
87
TREES AND SHRUBS OF HINGHAM
Edward T. Bouvé .
139
ANCIENT LANDMARKS
157
EARLY SETTLERS
John D. Long 201
MILITARY HISTORY
Walter L. Bouvé
209
-
א
ILLUSTRATIONS.
VOLUME I. - PART I.
PORTRAIT OF THOMAS T. BOUVE .
24
UNION STREET DIKE
34
BEACH STREET DIKE
35
From a drawing by EDWARD T. BOUVE.
DOUBLE DIKE, ROCKY NECK
49
From a drawing by EDWARD T. BOUVE.
POT HOLES, COHASSET .
54
POT HOLES, COHASSET .
56
KAMES NEAR GREAT HILL
60
BOWLDER, COBB'S BANK
67
From a drawing by EDWARD T. BOUVE.
BOWLDER, DERBY STREET
68
From a photograph by GEORGE E. SIDERS.
MAIN STREET, HINGHAM .
140
From a photograph by FRANCIS H. LINCOLN.
OLD ELM, EAST STREET .
150
From a photograph by FRANCIS A. OSBORN.
OLD ELM, PROSPECT STREET
156
From a photograph by FRANCIS A. OSBORN.
164
.
TITTLING ROCK
.
Engraved by WALLACE CORTHELL from a photograph by GEORGE E. SIDERS.
POND ROCK, SCITUATE POND
169
Engraved by WALLACE CORTHELL from a photograph by GEORGE E. SIDERS.
HOME OF GENERAL LINCOLN
180
MAIN STREET, SOUTH HINGHAM
184
From a photograph by HENRY F. GUILD.
THAXTER HOUSE.
188
From a photograph by WILLIAM HUDSON.
CORNER OF MAIN AND LEAVITT STREETS .
190
From a photograph by FRANCIS A. OSBORN.
PAGE
xii
Illustrations.
PAGE 195
GLAD TIDINGS ROCK
Engraved by WALLACE CORTHELL from a photograph by GEORGE E. SIDERS.
SPRAGUE'S BRIDGE, UNION STREET . 196
From a photograph by HENRY F. GUILD.
PORTRAIT OF JOSEPH BLAKE 256
PORTRAIT OF GENERAL LINCOLN 304
GENERAL LINCOLN'S MONUMENT 306
PORTRAIT OF GOVERNOR ANDREW
342
STATUE OF GOVERNOR ANDREW 368
From a photograph by HENRY F. GUILD.
SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT
371 From a photograph by FRANCIS H. LINCOLN.
MAPS TO ILLUSTRATE GEOLOGY.
GENERAL MAP OF HINGHAM 4
DISTRICT BETWEEN CROW POINT AND HUIT'S COVE 30
DISTRICT BETWEEN LINCOLN STREET AND BEAL'S COVE 42
ROCKY NECK ON WEIR RIVER. 46
HINGHAM VILLAGE AND WEST HINGHAM . 52
HISTORY OF HINGHAM.
THE GEOLOGY OF HINGHAM.
BY THOMAS T. BOUVÉ.
INTRODUCTION.
BOUNDARY LINES.
THE boundary-line of Hingham, commencing on the water- front at Cohasset, near the head of Nantasket Beach, runs west through an elongated inlet of the sea or bay which lies east of the lower waters of Weir River, and from thence follows along this river, and subsequently skirts the coast at the base of the hills known as Planters' and World's End, in a northwesterly direction until it passes the latter, when it turns westerly and crosses outside the harbor of the town and the shores north to the mouth of Weymouth Back River. From there this river forms the boundary between the town and a part of Weymouth to the head of navigation, about three and a half miles. The other boundary-lines are artificial, dividing the town on the west from a part of Weymouth not separated by the river, on the south and southeast from Rockland and Norwell, and on the east from Cohas- set. The boundary-line of the harbor leaves exterior to it Bunkin Island, which belongs to Hull, and that of the southern boundary crosses Accord Pond, the beautiful sheet of water from which Hingham draws its abundant supply.
The shore-line of the water-front of the town, as distinct from that of the boundary, is much more extensive, following as it does the numerous indentures of the coast, and embracing the circum- ference of the islands. Notice should be taken of the distinction between the boundary and shore lines, as they comprise the limits between which the marine forms of life appear that may be here- after mentioned.
The coast bordering upon the Weir River and Bay is of varied and picturesque character, with its alternating rocky projections and swampy plains. The shore-line, too, from Crow Point west VOL. I .- 1
2
History of Hingham.
to the mouth of Weymouth River presents much diversity, and at Huit's Cove, where the rocky cliffs are covered with forest growth, the scenery becomes again quite interesting, and continues so upon the river front to the head of navigation.
THE HARBOR.
The harbor of Hingham, properly so called, is embraced within an extension of land on the east side which rises into hills of con- siderable magnitude, the outermost of which is World's End, and an opposite shore of less extent, which presents itself partly as a sandy and stony beach, but having towards its extremity some rocky prominences, finally terminating at an elevation of land which received at an early period the name of Crow Point, prob- ably from the great number of crows that congregated there. In the harbor, which is from three fourths of a mile to a mile in width and about one mile and a half in depth, are three beautiful islands, bearing the names respectively of Ragged, Sarah's, and Langlee's ; of which the first named is particularly picturesque, from the rugged outline of its coast and the dark savins upon its crags. They are all of moderate elevation, and shrubs of low growth cover their undulating surfaces. Only one deciduous tree is seen, and that a Linden of considerable size, upon the one known as Langlee's.1 Besides these three islands, there is yet another near the shore of the town, and which from its diminutive size received the name of Button Island. The harbor itself is a charming one when the tide is in, and by no means lacks beauty when this has ebbed. True, the lovely sheet of water has disappeared from view, but the exposed flats are covered everywhere with the dense sea- grass that rests recumbent on their surfaces, and there is seen meandering through its sombre green a silvery channel pleasing to the eye, and which is of sufficient width and depth to admit the steamers and other vessels that approach the town. Other large islands lie off the coast of Hingham, but the town line separates them from its possessions. Particular attention is called to those of the harbor and to the contour of the coast, in order to the better understanding of the geological phenomena to be hereafter presented.
AREA.
The area of Hingham, as given in the Town Report for 1885, p. 76, is 12,973 acres.
The greatest length of the town is that shown by a line from World's End to the southwesterly point at Rockland. This is over eight miles.
1 Since the above was written young trees set out upon the two islands, Sarah's and Langlee's, by the present proprietor, are becoming conspicuous, and promise to add much to the beauty of their surfaces and of the harbor generally by their growth.
3
The Geology of Hingham.
The greatest width across the town, direct east and west, is from where Scituate touches the boundary to Weymouth. This is five miles. Across the northern part of the town, at the point of its junction with Hull and Cohasset, west to Weymouth River, the width is a little over four and a third miles. Between these two measurements it narrows on an east and west line to about three and a third miles.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The topography of Hingham is of such marked character as to make it of exceeding interest to those who are at all acquainted with surface geology. The writer therefore hopes to be able to impart such knowledge of this in later pages devoted to the phe- nomena of glacial action as will add much to the pleasure of townsmen and strangers alike in travelling over its territory.
The most noticeable features arise from the great number of the beautiful hills belonging to a class called by Irish geologists, Drumlins, signifying long, rounded hills, and by our own country- man, Prof. Charles H. Hitchcock, Lenticular Hills, from their lens-like form. They are distinguished by their oval and sym- metrical outlines, by their composition, and by the direction of their longest axes, which in this region is approximately north- west and southeast. They are products of the ice period, in the treatment of which a full account of them will be given. Otis Hill, Turkey Hill, Prospect Hill, Baker's Hill, Squirrel Hill, Great Hill, Planters' Hill, the Hills of World's End, the Hills of Crow Point and neighborhood, and many others of lesser magnitude, are of this character. Of much less prominence, but of not less interest to students of surface geology, are the Kames, so called, consisting of ridges, hills, and hillocks, which oceur over a large portion of territory in the western part of the town. These, like the Lenticular Hills, owe their origin to glacial action.
In a very general way it may be said that the settlements of the town rest upon four surfaces of different elevations, namely : one along the harbor and spreading west towards Fort Hill and Wey- mouth River ; Lower Plain, so called, which rises from the first- mentioned, half a mile or more inland ; Glad Tidings Plain, a slightly higher level which succeeds the last, three or four miles inland, and which is separated from it by a depression of the land ; and finally, Liberty Plain, the highest of all, reaching to the southern boundary.
This statement, however, though true of the several settlements of the town, affords but a very inadequate idea of the diversified character of the whole territory, for even the lowest region has several of the high hills mentioned rising from it, and bordering the second is Turkey Hill, having an altitude of 181 feet, which is only inferior to the highest of all in town.
4
History of Hingham.
One of the most prominent of the elevations of the lowest plateau is Otis Hill, which rises quite near the harbor on its western side. The views from this are very fine, and should be seen by all who keenly enjoy an extended prospect. It is said that Daniel Webster ascended the hill whenever opportunity presented itself, feeling amply repaid for the necessary exertion in reaching its summit. On the east, beyond Nantasket Beach and the rocky shore of Co- hasset, the open sea spreads itself to the vision until lost in the distant horizon ; north, the coast of the opposite side of Massa- chusetts Bay may be traced until it, too, fades from sight towards Cape Ann ; and northwest, the domes and spires of the great city, with the expanse of water gemmed with islands and dotted over with vessels gliding among them, afford an enchanting scene. The height of Otis Hill is about 129 feet. The still higher ele- vation of the second plateau, Turkey Hill, before mentioned, affords yet grander views. No one who has not been here can appreciate the transcendent beauty of such as may be enjoyed from its summit, in looking towards the west and northwest just as the sun is sinking beneath the horizon, especially when hover- ing clouds are lit up by its rays and the intervening water is tinted by their reflections.
The highest elevation of all is that of Prospect Hill, and it is worthy the name. This is in the south part of the town, and has a height of 218.4 feet. Measurements of other hills give the fol- lowing results : -
Baker's, 141 feet ; Squirrel, 133 feet; Great Hill, 120 feet; Planter's, 118 feet ; Old Colony, 70 feet ; Liberty Pole, 107 feet ; the highest of the World's End hills, 92, the lowest, 66; Crow Point Hill, 81 ; Pleasant, near Crow Point, 93; Bradley's, 87; Tucker's, between Crow Point and Pleasant, 65.
Much of the remaining territory presents itself in rounded hil- locks of various elevations, and in the west part of the town these prevail over a great area. Unfortunately they have to a great extent been denuded of trees. Barren wastes are found, unsightly to the eye where beauty might abound, and where profit might be realized if the surface could be devoted to forest culture. Nothing could be done that would be more advantageous to this almost destitute portion of the town than to cover it with the white pine, as there can be no doubt but that it would be a wise investment of money to do this if proper precautions were taken to protect the growth from destruction by fires.
Independently of the interesting features of the landscape men- tioned, there is such variety of surface over the town as to make all parts attractive.
In some portions are miles of rich and rocky woodlands, in other portions swamps impenetrable from forest growth. In places, high cliffs of rock rise from above the general level ; in others, green meadows of peaceful beauty stretch far before the
R
O
n of Colors.
ranite,Felsite. ind Diorite.
elaphyr.
Conglomerate ndstone,& Slate.
Late and Shale.
rults.
or Kames
mlins
4
History of Hingham.
One of the most prominent of the elevations of the lowest plateau is Otis Hill, which rises quite near the harbor on its western side. The views from this are very fine, and should be seen by all who keenly enjoy an extended prospect. It is said that Daniel Webster ascended the hill whenever opportunity presented itself, feeling amply repaid for the necessary exertion in reaching its summit. On the cast, beyond Nantasket Beach and the rocky shore of Co- hasset, the open sea spreads itself to the vision until lost in the distant horizon ; north, the coast of the opposite side of Massa- chusetts Bay may be traced until it, too, fades from sight towards Cape Ann ; and northwest, the domes and spires of the great city, with the expanse of water gemmed with islands and dotted over with vessels gliding among them, afford an enchanting scene. The height of Otis Hill is about 129 feet. The still higher ele- vation of the second plateau, Turkey Hill, before mentioned, affords yet grander views. No one who has not been here can appreciate the transcendent beauty of such as may be enjoyed from its summit, in looking towards the west and northwest just as the sun is sinking beneath the horizon, especially when hover- ing clouds are lit up by its rays and the intervening water is tinted by their reflections.
The highest elevation of all is that of Prospect Hill, and it is worthy the name. This is in the south part of the town, and has a height of 218.4 feet. Measurements of other hills give the fol- lowing results : -
Baker's, 141 feet ; Squirrel, 133 feet ; Great Hill, 120 feet ; Planter's, 118 feet ; Old Colony, 70 feet ; Liberty Pole, 107 feet ; the highest of the World's End hills, 92, the lowest, 66; Crow Point Hill, 81; Pleasant, near Crow Point, 93; Bradley's, 87 ; Tucker's, between Crow Point and Pleasant, 65.
Much of the remaining territory presents itself in rounded hil- locks of various elevations, and in the west part of the town these prevail over a great area. Unfortunately they have to a great extent been denuded of trees. Barren wastes are found, unsightly to the eye where beauty might abound, and where profit might be realized if the surface could be devoted to forest culture. Nothing could be done that would be more advantageous to this almost destitute portion of the town than to cover it with the white pine, as there can be no doubt but that it would be a wise investment of money to do this if proper precautions were taken to protect the growth from destruction by fires.
Independently of the interesting features of the landscape men- tioned, there is such variety of surface over the town as to make all parts attractive.
In some portions are miles of rich and rocky woodlands, in other portions swamps impenetrable from forest growth. In places, high cliffs of rock rise from above the general level ; in others, green meadows of peaceful beauty stretch far before the
Worlds
1
End
now Point
Planters
Rocky .Veck
Kame Ridges
Pine Hunt
oln St
HIN
GHAM
LORC
DO
HARBOR
Squirrel Hill
Bradley's
Burdett Ave.
Runkland
Sttret
umiher
C
bono ..
Sou
H
G
H
WEST
HI
INGHAM
C
HINGHAM CENTRE
Lano.
T
Magnetic
Central St
5
E
Hain
Great Hall
LOWER PLAIN
French
Crost
K
SOUTH HINGHAM
High
Free
A
1
-
Pond
Cushing
GLAD TIDINGS/PLAIN
S
O
I.
Mill Ponds
O
R
St
C
Prospect St.
LIBERTY
PLAIN
Z
Derby
SL
L
L
F.
w
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GEOLOGY OF HINGHAM.
איקקב
KALPLÉ
QUEEN
ANNS'
Explanation of Colors.
Showing the relationsof the
Granite Felsite. and Diarite
GRANITIC AREA
Melaphyr
Conglomerate Sertes
Conglomerate Sandstone, & Slatte
TO THE
State Sertes.
State and Shale.
1.
-
K
(
O
R
Outlines of Drumlins
NORTH HINGHAM.
Faults.
Prepared by THO! T. BOUVE
Gravel Ridges or Names
Scale: 1 inch - 125 rods.
11
Wurd
st. 7
C
Kamr Rugen
.hWon
Bee
Main
Kame Ridges
Charles
Prospect Hull
Stro
Scotland St
Gardner
Abington
Accord PEada
CORNER
0
SOUTH HINGHAM
SEDIMENTARY AND VOLCANIC ROCKS OF
Thaxler
Bakers Hill
Wen
Hockley
Fort Hill
, Turkey
Union
Sand Platenss.
MAIN SE.
Triphammer Po
Long Br Lant
S
Breakneck Kame ) Hiêtr
GENERAL MAP.
3
S
5
The Geology of Hingham.
vision. Here may be seen from some elevation tree-clad hills and dales ; there, water checkered with islands, and the ocean itself receding in the far distance from sight. Here one may wander along a rock-bound coast, with objects of interest everywhere in view ; or he may seek and find, in deep dark woods, sequestered glens as far remote seemingly from all human surroundings and associations as would be to him the recesses in the distant moun- tains. Few towns, indeed, can present more diversified features.
SWAMPS.
There are numerous swamps in the town, some of which are quite extensive, as Bare Swamp, which extends over a considera- ble tract of country, from the neighborhood of the West End depot to French Street, near Weymouth ; Hemlock Swamp, which lies between Hobart and High streets; and several others southwest of these.
RIVERS.
Excepting Weymouth Back River, which borders a part of the town on the west, and Weir River, there are none worthy the name. Many streams contribute to the latter, the most important of which has its origin in Accord Pond. Others of its tributaries flow from the swamps of the town, which, as before stated, are numerous, especially in its western portions.
PONDS.
Of the ponds of the town delineated on the map, Cushing's, Trip-Hammer, Fulling-Mill, and Thomas', are all artificial. The only natural one of any considerable area, of which any portion is within the borders of Hingham, is Accord Pond. This seems sin- gular, considering the many natural fine sheets of water which are found in the surrounding territory. What Nature has, however, denied, has been in part provided through the enterprise of the inhabitants, who for manufacturing purposes have dammed the streams, spread their waters over surfaces bounded by hills, and thus greatly enhanced the beauty of the scenery in many locali- ties. Cushing's Pond resulted from the damming of one of the tributary streams of Weir River, known as Plymouth River ; Trip- hammer Pond, from the damming of another tributary known as Beechwood, or Mill River ; Thomas' Pond from the damming of the main stream ; and Fulling-Mill Pond from a small stream, sometimes called Cold Spring.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS ON GENERAL GEOLOGY.
ANY account of the Geology of Hingham would necessarily ho but of little service to the unscientific reader, unless preceded by some remarks upon the several rock formations of the earth and the periods of their deposition. The advance of knowledge respecting these has been so rapid that the very terms but re- cently used to designate their relative age are not only obsolete to a considerable degree, but often misleading. For instance, it is not long since the word "primitive " conveyed to all students the idea that the rocks so designated, the granites, were the earliest formed of all the earth's strata; but now it is a well-recognized fact that these have been produced in nearly all periods of geo- logic time. All ideas based upon views taught in the books of a past generation respecting Primitive, Transition, and Secondary rocks should be dismissed from thought as being now but of little or no significance.
In order that the mind may be receptive of the grand ideas which a knowledge of geological phenomena cannot fail to im- part, it is necessary first of all to disabuse it of the narrow con- ceptions of creation which have too long prevailed among men. It must recognize the sublime truth that the great Power which permeates and controls all matter has been for inconceivable ages evolving from the chaos of things the innumerable worlds that compose the universe ; and in fine must look upon the earth we inhabit, with all its multitude of living and ever-changing forms, as the result of the constant and never-ceasing action of creative energy for not only thousands, but for very many millions of years.
The calculations relative to the age of the earth have been based upon several grounds, - one astronomical, by estimates of the time which would be required to reduce the sun from the dimen- sions embraced within the orbit of the earth to its present size. This Professor Newcomb makes 18,000,000 years. Add to this. the time which he concludes might have passed before the tem- perature of the globe itself would have been reduced so as to allow of the existence of water upon it, 3,845,000 years, and the time estimated by him for the development of the several forma- tions composing the earth's strata, which he embraces within
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