Ancient Landmarks. 175 



Mill, and also the Saw Mill, erected, probably, in 1643 or 1644. 

 The present grist mill stands upon or near the same spot. 



The body of water connected with the mill-pond through the 

 water-way which exists under the junction of the railroad with 

 Water Street, affords, east of this street when the full tide is in, 

 some of the finest scenery about Hingham, taken in connection 

 with the beautifully wooded uplands on the marshes, called An- 

 drews or Sassafras Island, and the high rocks and precipices jut- 

 ting out from thick oak woods along the eastern bank. The 

 brilliant colors of the foliage contrasting with the gray of the 

 rocks, the blue of the water, and bright green of the meadows go 

 to make up a picture worthy the brush of an artist. 



These salt marshes, extending south to Pear Tree Hill, are 

 known as the Home Meadows. 



But to return to the mill-pond. This body of water lies be- 

 tween North and Water Streets and the maple-bordered and beau- 

 tiful shades of the cemetery lying to the south. The railroad 

 skirts its southern bank. The mill-pond was anciently a little 

 cove, and the Rev. Peter Hobart, with his band of settlers, landed 

 near the head of this cove where now is the foot of Ship Street. 

 Here the first religious services were held, near a magnificent 

 elm, which, standing in all its majesty up to a dozen or so years 

 ago, an ornament to the street and town, was barbarously cut 

 down by the authorities on the wretched pretext that it was in 

 the way of pedestrians on the sidewalk. At the time of its 

 destruction two cannon balls were found imbedded among its 

 roots, which were undoubtedly left there by the early settlers. 

 These are now in the possession of a zealous antiquarian and local 

 historian. 



The Town Brook empties into the western extremity of the 

 mill-pond. 



With the idea of following the harbor line from the mill-pond 

 north, we will avail ourselves of the ancient private way which 

 runs along by the heads of the old wharves, some of which are 

 yet used for the reception from a few coasters of such lumber and 

 coal as are required for use in the town ; some have fallen into 

 decay, and with the old rotting warehouses upon the landward 

 side of this little way, are sad reminders of the maritime glories 

 of this once active locality. For Hingham formerly sent a large 

 and well-appointed fishing fleet to sea. Along her shores we have 

 visited some, and shall come across more of the shipyards where 

 numerous ships and smaller craft were built and launched, and 

 the sea captains, sons of her stanch old families, sailed to all 

 quarters of the world. 



At the end of this old private way, and where it connects with 

 Otis Street, was formerly Souther's, earlier Barker's, Shipyard. 

 Here, where now are pretty seaside villas, the keel of many a fine 

 vessel was laid, and the plunge of these into their destined ele- 

 ment was made in a direction toward Goose Point, a small, low, 



