USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Pembroke > Town of Pembroke, 250th anniversary, 1712 to 1962 : an illustrated historical account of the town of Pembroke, incorporated in 1712, and its West Parish, since 1820 a part of the town of Hanson > Part 4
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The cargo was most welcome to Washington and his hungry men. Lt. Smith's share of the prize money was quite a fortune, and part of it was used to buy the farm on Maquan St., which was his home and that of his large family of five daughters and six sons. Joshua, fourth son of Capt. Joseph Smith, another sea- faring man, commanded many vessels, including the Old Colony, a ship of which his father had once been captain. He retired to his father's home in Hanson, where he spent the rest of his life, , a public spirited citizen having the confidence of his towns- people. He was twice elected to the Legislature, and was a county commissioner for many years. Always interested in edu- cation, he had a large part in founding the Bridgewater Normal School, now Bridgewater Teachers College. His daughter Caro- line married Dr. Flavel S. Thomas and their children grew up in this lovely old house. Dr. Thomas was a man of scholarly attain- ments. He was correspondent for medical and scientific maga- zines, and the author of several books.
The family was prominent in the work of the West Parish Meeting House as deacons and moderators. His daughters were members of the first Sunday School started by Rev. George Barstow and were teachers later. The daughters were skillful weavers, keeping the family supplied with material for its many needs. A son, Sylvanus, also a seaman, was employed by the Government in 1779 to carry supplies to the Mediterranean during the war with Tripoli.
OLD HOUSES OF HANSON Cont.
The house is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hancock.
The stately colonial dwelling (No. 37) on the corner of High Street and County road was the home of the first pastor in the West Parish, Rev. Gad Hitchcock who ministered to its people for fifty-five years. He was a graduate of Harvard College, a man of exceptional ability who won the love and respect of all his people. He was a man of strong character, noted for his patriotic sentiments, and never afraid to speak in favor of the colonies and the struggle for independence.
His son, and only child, was also a Harvard graduate, having studied medicine, and was the first physician in the parish. He married Sage Bailey of Hanover and was the father of twelve children. He settled on his father's estate and here his chil- dren grew up.
The house has changed very little in the years. The porch was on the north side instead of the west as it is today. The east portion of the house seems to be the oldest; probably the east front room has never been changed since the pastor's day. It has the center beam across the ceiling, seats in the windows, a corner cupboard and many other examples of the older houses. A closet at the head of the stairs is still called the skeleton closet, where Dr. Hitchcock hung his skeletons. Dr. Hitchcock was the first school committee, and near the house a little old building is pointed out as the first schoolhouse. "He was a man of much dignity who exerted great influence for the moral and intellectual education of the young." He was a surgeon in the Revolutionary War.
Dr. Calvin Tilden studied medicine with Dr. Hitchcock and married his daughter Catherine; when Dr. Hitchcock was no longer able to continue his profession, Dr. Tilden succeeded to the practice of his father-in-law. He took up residence in the Hitchcock parsonage where he died in 1832. He was the father of eleven children. None of the family to bear the name of Tilden or Hitchcock are living in Hanson today. Mr. and Mrs. William Walkey are the present owners, and have been faithful in keeping the home a place of beauty.
Miss Drew writes interestingly about the Cushing house, (No. 38) at the junction of Liberty and Washington Streets, having spent many hours in neighborly visiting with the descendants of Elijah Cushing, one of the prominent founders of the Parish.
Shortly after his marriage to Debbie Barstow Barker, he built this fine old Colonial residence in 1724. Strong oak timbers cut and trimmed in the nearby forest went into the frame. Between the inside and outside finish there is a solid brick wall, so that today the house stands as true as when erected, so long ago. Inside fine panelling and huge fireplaces please the eye.
OLD HOUSES OF HANSON Cont.
The old landmark has been in four towns due to the change in town lines. It was in Abington until 1727, Hanover until 1754, Pembroke until 1820, since then it has stayed in Hanson. The house was a social center for miles around, Mr. Cushing being representative to the General Court and selectman, with a family of three popular daughters and two sons, with many slaves to carry on, and he entertained lavishly. There were gay house parties and other joyful occasions.
In this house General Benjamin Lincoln, who in the war of the Revolution received the sword of General Cornwallis at York- town, won for his bride the daughter, Mary Cushing. The Rev. Daniel Shute, a classmate at Harvard College of Rev. Gad Hitchcock married Deborah Cushing, and Elizabeth became the wife of a Major Cushing of Scituate.
Nathaniel Cushing, one of the sons, married Lucy Turner and built the old colonial house on West Washington St. Captain Elijah, the second son, married into the Thomas family. Tradi- tion says that when his wife walked up the aisle of the West Meeting House on a Sunday in her trailing robe of silk or satin, the train was borne by a colored maid.
One of the slaves was named Lily, and a young son of the family said he thought as much of his black Mammy as of his Mother. When the slaves were freed in Massachusetts, she was offered her freedom, but she chose to remain with the family. She was cared for, and had a seat in the carriage for meetings on Sunday the rest of her life. It was this Elijah Cushing who was captain of a company of men, raised in the West Parish, who marched to Marshfield on the alarm of Apr. 19, 1775. This house is one of the most beautiful in Hanson today and is owned by Mr. & Mrs. Barry Gibson.
Turning right from Washington into Spring Street, there are several very old houses, among them the house known for gen- erations as the Gad Soper place, (No. 39) at 117 Spring Street, now the home of Mrs. Fred Carter. This house is quite con- spicuous because of its size and the large barn attached. It is colonial in type; inside the rooms are large and high and the fireplaces have beautiful old iron frames. Mr. Soper used this place for a tavern for many years. It must have been a welcome sight to coach or horseback travelers between Boston and Plymouth. A room on the south side was used as a "tap" room and office. It was entered by a small door convenient to the stable. Shelves still remain on the wall where perhaps "refresh- ment" was kept. This house was another favorite place for young people to meet for kitchen sprees and dances.
On West Washington near the market is the substantial dwelling that was the home of Cornelius Cobb, who over 180 years ago was the only storekeeper in this section. The store was next to his home, and after his death was remodelled into a house. Mr. John Scales, Hanson town clerk for many years and the last Civil War Veteran, lived here until he died. It has lately been torn down.
OLD HOUSES OF HANSON Cont.
When Mr. Cobb needed supplies he walked to Hingham, boarded a boat there for Boston and returned the same way. He would then hire a Mr. Willett who lived on Page's Hill to drive his team of oxen to Boston and return loaded with Mr. Cobb's purchases, which usually included a hogshead of mo- lasses, a barrel of New England rum, flour, brown sugar, etc.
There were plenty of eager boys around to assist with the unloading, mouths watering for the treat the storekeeper al- ways gave.
This house is in very fine condition and was occupied for many years by a very prominent lawyer of Hanson, Mr. Otis Bonney. Mrs. Bonney was a member of the school committee for years. She was very proud of the "front room" wallpaper which was over one hundred years old. The dwelling is now owned by Mr. A. J. Brennan. (No. 40)
Continuing along West Washington Street and taking a left curve, on the right is the house that was once the home of Joseph B. White the famed horse trader and carriage maker. The house has many signs of antiquity about it, the heavy wide oak timbers were placed in an upright position and tenoned into sills. This place is thought to be over 200 years old. It has been beautifully restored and landscaped, and is now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hopkins. (No. 41)
Meandering along for a short way, on Holmes Street is the small house where Eleazer Hamlin and his wife Lydia and their seventeen children lived before the Revolutionary War. A rugged individualist, Eleazer, not satisfied with the usual names for boys named four of them after the four continents, Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Twin boys were named Hannibal and Cyrus. The twin, Hannibal, was grandfather of Hon. Han- nibal Hamlin, Vice-President in Abraham Lincoln's first term. The Hon. Cyrus was grandfather to the Rev. Cyrus Hamlin, the founder of Roberts College in Turkey.
Asia was the ancestor of Hon. Charles Hamlin of Boston.
After the death of his wife, Lydia Bonney, he sold this house on Holmes Street to Isaac Louden. It was the home of Capt. Samuel Briggs for many years.
In more recent times a family living there became involved in making counterfeit half dollars.
A charming Cape Cod home on High St., (No. 41) belonging now to Mr. Austin Finger, was built in 1748 by John Gould. Wide pine floor boards, beautiful panelling, small-paned windows, the long low living room with its old beams, the huge fireplace with its Dutch oven, present a picture that will delight lovers of antiquity. Four other fireplaces are in use.
Of special interest is the ships staircase leading to the upper rooms. From these rooms the Blue Hills may be seen in the dis- tance. The land was purchased by John Gould from Edward Thomas, grandson of Nathaniel Thomas, secretary for the Maj- or's Purchase.
OLD HOUSES OF HANSON Cont.
On the corner of Main and High Streets (No. 42) is a large white house. It was once a story and a half Cape Cod house built in the 1780's, later remodeled into the present dwelling. It is now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Reid. This was the boyhood home of Commander Albert Reid, who was in charge of the Navy plane, the first to fly over the Atlantic Ocean, shortly after World War I.
According to tradition a very old ash tree in the front lawn was used as a "lookout" by the Wampanoag Indians, when their Chief Wamsutta followed the trail through here to their head- quarters.
In excavating the cellar recently, a 30 foot rock-walled well was found, fed by springs which an authority said could supply pure water for the town in case of fallout pollution.
The Hermitage, the home of Mr. Marcus Urann on Main St., (No. 43) is a very old house. It was built by Lot Phillips, a Revo- lutionary soldier. It was better known as the Luther Keene house, as for many years he owned and lived in it. Tradi- tionally he was an eccentric man and many stories are told of his peculiarities. The lawn and gardens make a beautiful back- ground for this lovely home.
Here are mentioned only a few of the old family homes in and about Hanson, but they convey the life and times of the days when the West Parish was young and an integral part of the mother-town of Pembroke.
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LAKE REGIONAL
PEMBROKE CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR LEADERS
Marguerite Simpson and Edward Hill
American Legion Commander William Lavally
Auxiliary Mrs. Luther Peck
Boy Scouts .
Frank Prescott
Camp Fire Girls
Mrs. Raymond Kelley
East Pembroke Community Club Derwood Wadleigh
Girl Youth
Mrs. Dale Deam
Golden Agers
Mrs. David Brodie
Arthur Ames
Grange ..
Historical Society Mrs. Fred W. Doyle, Sr.
Kiwanis .
John D. Walsh, Jr.
Lion's Club Toivo Maki
Lydia Drake Library Association Mrs. Russell Broadbent
Old Colony Sportmen's Association Lee B. Nichols
Parent-Teachers' Association Mrs. Edwin Nummelin
Pembroke-Hanson Garden Club Mrs. John H. Fagan
Public Health Nursing
Mrs. James Emmerson
Sewing Circle .
Mrs. Charles Raistrick
Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Commander Henry O'Keefe
Auxiliary
Mrs. Henry Darsch
CHARTERS
American Legion, Arthur Briggs Church Post No. 143, chartered Aug. 1, 1920
American Legion Auxiliary, Aug. 22, 1924
Pembroke Grange, chartered Nov. 3, 1911
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Gordon B. Northrup Post, No. 9443, chartered June 3, 1947 Auxiliary instituted Dec. 11, 1947
SANDERSON BROTHERS Incorporated North Abington, Massachusetts
The HF Group Indiana Plant 079167 E 24 00
12/15/2006
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